Chris Swanson is the Vice President of Hispanic Initiatives. He also Directs Latin America Affairs for the BGEA. He spent his childhood in the region, living and serving in the Caribbean, Central America and Argentina as the son of missionaries. He returned to the US and studied at Moody Bible Institute where he earned his Degree in Bible and Theology.

After graduating, Chris worked in Christian Radio as an announcer/producer. He then pastored for 18 years holding a number of associate and lead pastorate roles with the focus on serving and ministering in Spanish speaking communities. During this time, Chris; Mara planted a Bilingual Church in California where they pastored for 10 years.
He also started a bilingual Counseling Center based in the church with a broad ministry of Biblical Counseling provided to the community. Before coming to serve with BGEA, Chris served for over 7 years with Samaritans Purse.

He worked in Operation Christmas Child International as the Senior Regional Director for the Americas Caribbean. Chris and his wife Mara have been married for 31 years and have three adopted sons, Tyler, Noah and Tatum. In his free time Chris enjoys running, swimming, golfing and hanging out with his wife and boys!