Christopher David Lawson, 40, of Wooster, Ohio was welcomed into the arms of Jesus on November 9, 2025, at The James Hospital.
Husband, father, son, brother, friend, mentor, pastor, and inspiration- the life Chris lived in his short span on earth was one that powerfully impacted the lives of so many. Whether leading crowds in worship, wrestling with his kids, delivering sermons, praying for and encouraging the saints, suffering hardship and illness with praise on his lips or making quick-witted jokes with friends, it seems Chris was always engaging others with eternity on his mind.
Chris is survived by his wife Lindsay, his children, Finlay, Brayan, Haddon, Keller, and Emmett, his brother Curt Lawson and wife Ashlie, and daughter Eleanor, his sister Cassie Hunter and husband Josiah, and children Eden and Abe, and his parents Dave and Laurie.
So many of us are able to say we are more like Christ because of Chris Lawson’s legacy of faith and the story the Lord authored through him.
A memorial service will take place at the Greystone Event Center, 50 Riffel Rd., Wooster on Sunday, November 30, 2025 at 2:30pm.
McIntire, Bradham & Sleek Funeral Home, 216 E. Larwill St., Wooster is assisting the family.
“The question is: Will I entrust my life and soul to my faithful Creator who has promised to work everything- cancer, motor collisions, even an early death- for the ultimate and eternal good of my family and me, as well as my wonderful church? Will I trust him so deeply that I’m able to do the good work of showing and sharing Christ with medical experts who He has assigned to me? Will you do the same in the midst of the various difficulties you are, no doubt, facing?” -Chris Lawson, January 31, 2025
Online condolences may be left for the family at www.mcintirebradhamsleek.com
Beautiful testimony of our Faithful Lord! Praying for your family, Lindsay.
I will never forget Chris praying for our daughter Lindsey many years ago and the impact he had on our family through his worship and his amazing faith through all the difficulties.. i will never forget him and strive every day to have the faith and be the witness for Christ that Chris was.. Lindsey and family we will continue to pray daily for you that you receive comfort from knowing the eternal impact he made on peoples lives.. sad I’m not be able to be at service and experience God being glorified through Chris’s life
I will never forget my conversations with Chris. There are no words that are adequate at this time except to say, thank you brother for living such a faithful and humble life. This side of heaven will not be the same without you. To Chris’s family; nothing about this is normal. Jesus wept when those he loved left this earth. Take time to weep as well but know that you have a community who deeply loves you and will help to see you through this.
When I started attending Oaks Church in December 2019, I was a non-believer with a lot of questions. Pastor Chris took the time to meet with me and answer my questions and encouraged me to continue attending church and reading the Bible. I gave my life to Jesus in March 2020 and continued attending Oaks Church until I moved from Wooster in May 2023. I am beyond blessed and thankful that the Lord led me to Oaks Church, that I got to hear Pastor Chris always shared God’s word so beautifully, that I got to know his lovely wife and children, and that I was a part of a church family Chris helped build. This news shocked me to my core, but I know there was great rejoicing in Heaven when Chris entered. He was truly a soldier for Christ. Prayers, love, and hugs to Lindsey and the rest of his family.
Such a powerful impact for Jesus in such a short time on Earth. Praying for all of you.
My daughter was born this April as one of Chris’ songs played on Spotify—it was beautiful. Praying for you, Lawson family, as you both celebrate and grieve.
Chris was an amazing person – in every way. I loved his worship, especially the songs he wrote. One of his sermons that I got to hear was one of the best I’ve ever experienced – truth, thought provoking, conviction, grace. I praise God for the time that we got to walk life together. Prayers for blessings, peace and comfort for the family.
Condolences to the Lawson family. May your faith in God provide you with the strength needed to help with your loss.
Lindsay, Dave, Laurie and family. What a blessing to have spent a period of my walk in Christ with Chris. I learned so much from Chris as a leader in his worship, preaching and prayer. The time spent learning from him made me a better person. I hope you know what a powerful impact Chris had on my life as well as the many others he met in his short time in his life. Love and prayers for your comfort and peace during this period of celebration.
Chris Lawson was & remains the real deal. We met on a horribly hard day for the family of a mutual friend. Grace was glistening on him from the moment we met in a parking lot getting ready to go to the Western Reserve Military Cemetery in Rittman. Chris & I became friends & stayed connected ever since. I can’t express my sorrow for Lindsay, there kids & all their extended family. And the church he served & led. And everyone who knew him. The greatest consolation is he is safely home (https://youtu.be/3HX2Pz3TBv4?si=V9mua0EMnlBErOg8). Every believer with him with see him again. Grace & peace to his family & friends.
Chris and his family ate at our family restaurant here in wooster. Chris was the most kindest person anyone could encounter. His wife Lindsay, parents Laurie and Dave his children are all great people. It hurts my heart to hear his passing. May God give them all the strength they need in these difficult times.
I only started the oaks a year ago, but I did get to hear Chris a few times. And he had a great impact on somebody many people‘s lives that I just believe that such a person had that much faith and so much love for the Lord. That it kept me going growing in my faith and wanting to do better in my walk with Christ, so thank you Chris. You’re gonna be very missed. You are well loved by your church your family and all your friends. I pray for Lindsey and his family every day for their healing and to help with the pain of losing such a wonderful person God bless
My heart has been heavy. I am praying for all of you. Chris was such a light. There is one song that has stuck in my mind that he led us in worship years ago. It has come to my mind again.
“Lost for words with all to say, Lord You take my breath away. Still my soul, my soul cries out, for You are holy. And as I look upon Your name, circumstances fade away. Now Your glory steals my heart, You are Holy…..Evermore my heart, my heart will say, above all, I live for Your glory. Even if my world falls I will say above all, I live for Your glory.”
Lindsay, I am praying for you, the kids, Dave & Laurie and his siblings/spouses. He was an amazing man and his love for the Lord was so evident. He’s pain free but his gain leaves a hole here. I am sending love and hugs to you all.
Angie Clark (Smith)
I am so sorry to read this. We were just talking about your family at work the other day and wondering how you all were doing. Thinking about your family.
Your favorite dental hygienist,
Abby
Chris played Little League with our son Vincent. Was a good kid and obviously grew into a green man. I still remember Curtis at the games. Even though it has been many years it still hurts Mary and I. Take care. So sorry.
I am sorry for your loss—I lived next to Chris in college and will never forget his smile and humor and energy. It is beautiful to read about a race well run and his faithful witness to Christ. Godspeed, Chris and I pray for peace and comfort for your family and friends. God bless you.
My deepest condolences to the family that showed me nothing but love and kindness over the years when I was a kid, it broke my heart to learn about Chris passing because he was such an amazing guy. Ill always cherish the memories of us riding in his jeep with the top and doors off and us just enjoying a beautiful ride home after church. He’ll always be in mine and everyone else’s hearts and I’ll forever be grateful for having been able to get to know such an awesome guy with a wonderful family.
Chris and Lindsey were great friends with our kids growing up in church together. They have remained close for 30 years. Chris was a funny guy and he lit up the room wherever he was. Love to Lindsey and the kids, and please reach out to Nancy and me if we can help in any way.
Chris was an amazing human being with a beautiful soul who had a passion and love for Christ like no other. I am so grateful that I got to share some of my walk with him. Chris had such a big heart and his light for the Lord shined so brightly that it truly inspired me to be more like Jesus. I will be forever grateful to Chris for showing me how to truly worship the Father with all that I am. Thank you Lord for the impact that Chris had on so many of our lives. He is loved and will be truly missed. I will continue to pray for Lindsey, the kids, and the rest of the family. May the Lord bless you and keep you.
Lindsey,
You are and will continue to be in my prayers. I know this is a hard time, but oh! to be where he is now! May our Heavenly Father wrap you in his love and keep you in his perfect peace.
Our sympathy and prayers are extended to Lindsay and family, and to the Oaks Church family. We are sure Chris has heard “Well done…” from Heaven, and the following words in his obituary affirm his “well done” on earth as well:
“So many of us are able to say we are more like Christ because of Chris Lawson’s legacy of faith and the story the Lord authored through him.”
Grace Church, Memphis, TN, – a sister TCT church – prayed for Lindsay and the kids and church in our gathering this morning. We love you all. Rom 8:32. – Jordan Thomas
Chris was such a bright light and full of talent in Jesus Christ. His time as worship leader, songwriter, child advocate were impactful to me. ARE impactful to my life. I remember knowing how blessed any area he and Lindsay moved to would be. That initial move to “the hood” in Columbus had me full of hope for their ministry yet a little sad they weren’t going to be in Newark anymore. It’s been amazing to see what the Lord has done in Chris. He was just a kid when I met him at church. To me anyhow.
I’m praying for Lindsay and the kids and the rest of Chris’ loved ones.
Oh the worship he’s involved in now. Praise God!
I’m grateful for the few years I got to know Chris on the VGF worship team. What a shining light for Christ! When I joined the worship team I had only been in Ohio a few months and he made my family feel so welcome and VGF quickly felt like home. Lindsay and his family have been in my prayers since I heard the heartbreaking news.
To Lindsay and your children and all your dear family, I am so sorry for your great loss! Praying so for you all. May God comfort you exceedingly!!! I sure appreciated Chris so very much! I told him so. Was just thinking of your dear family a day or two ago. May The Lord hold you all close. May He also give the increase. Grieving with you. Praying, praying, praying . . .
Dave and Laurie, We are so sad to hear of Chris’s passing from this world. So thankful to know he is with Jesus, who he loves, and is no longer suffering. All the things we long for, he is experiencing. And yet he is so missed! We are praying God will bring you comfort as you wrestle with the grief and loss of Chris here on earth while also rejoicing in the goodness he is experiencing and trusting God with all of it. We are praying for you and your whole family in this painful time. Brining you all before the Lord and trusting Him alongside you. Much love, Matt and Leslie
I am so sorry to hear of Chris’ passing. He was a student of mine many years ago and was someone I could never forget. Chris’ positivity and energy was such a blessing to all who knew him and my heart breaks for his family. Sending 🙏 for all who knew and loved him.
The world has lost a wonderful person. He was not my son, but the son of my forever friends, Dave and Laurie. He was also a husband, father, friend, pastor, neighbor and most of all, a man of God. Chris was my son’s friend and it is so sweet to remember those days and know what an amazing person Chris became and all the people he reached with the love of God. I am in awe of the example Chris gave for all of us as he fought his final fight—always pointing us back to the source of his strength and hope. Well done. We will see you again. I wrote the following in honor of Chris.
Well Done My Son
So many painful days
From yesterday ‘til now.
Somehow we have reached here—
I’m really not sure how.
And it’s our final day
To look into your eyes;
Feel the warmth of your hands,
See your long, shallow sighs.
You’ll soon be in heaven
And now we must let go,
But wait. Listen closely.
We most want you to know:
“Well done my son.”
You did it—
All you were called to do—
Father, son, husband,
Neighbor, friend, pastor, too.
You fought the fight.
You did it—
You have won the prize.
Life, forever, eternal.
We see glory in your eyes.
You took God’s hand today—
We ached to see you go.
Thank you for being Jesus
So others may hear and know,
“Well done my son.”
For Chris Lawson
November 9, 2025
Deepest condolences to everyone who loved Chris. What a huge blessing he was to so many including myself.