"Dream small dreams, see small dreams fulfilled."
Chris Ritchie is a third generation worship leader. He carries a deep passion for leading people into the glorious songs of worship and releasing the sound of Heaven. Not only is he a seasoned worship leader and songwriter but he is also a filmmaker and trained commercial actor. Chris loves to call sons and daughters to release their sound and to walk in their God given destiny! He lives his life, and leads worship with the core value that God is in a good mood.
The music and entertainment bug hit Chris as a young man. Always dreaming of playing on the big stage and acting in the greatest films, he was driven to pursue both music and film. His first instrument was the guitar, but he quickly moved to drums and became the full time drummer at his father's church. Years later, he and his older brother would form the Christian alternative/pop rock band called, "Salt The Band". They traveled America playing their songs to youth groups, youth camps, churches, and festivals. They released two albums, Worship Project X and Mr. Brown. Charisma Magazine heralded, "Salt the Band", as one of the top 10 unsigned Christian bands in 1999 even declaring, "If you've ever wanted to be into a band before they make it big, this is that band!" They played festivals alongside PETRA, Audio Adrenaline, The Katina Boys, Plumb, Christafari, and many other popular CCM acts of the late 90's early 2000's. Eventually Chris felt the call of God to pursue a life of leading worship full time. The desire to lead people into the presence of God became his focus and he began to passionately pursue God's presence for himself. It was at that time "Salt the Band" called it quits -- after ten successful years. They did however still have six months of shows scheduled. It was during that six month period that a starter record label wanted to sign them to a recording contract. The label was "Fervent Records" and had just signed Big Daddy Weave and By The Tree. They were slated to be the third act on the label. But staying true to their belief that God had called them to walk away, they refused the deal. In 2005 Fervent Records was bought out by Word Records.
Chris pursued the heart of the father in a way he never had after the band broke up. He was hired part time to lead worship at his local church but had grown tired of the ho-hum Christianity that he was experiencing. Having gotten married during this season, he and his wife attended a conference at Bethel Church in Redding, CA. It was at that point that they knew they needed more. A couple years later they would leave Seattle, WA and take up a full time worship pastor position at a church in Central, CA eventually ending up in Las Vegas at Encounter Church as the Worship Community Pastor.
Chris is in his 8th year as the worship pastor at Encounter Church Las Vegas and heads up Encounter Worship Collective. "This is absolutely the most incredible place to serve. I love this community and I love what I do."
He has 4 wonderful children with his wife, Carley.
The music and entertainment bug hit Chris as a young man. Always dreaming of playing on the big stage and acting in the greatest films, he was driven to pursue both music and film. His first instrument was the guitar, but he quickly moved to drums and became the full time drummer at his father's church. Years later, he and his older brother would form the Christian alternative/pop rock band called, "Salt The Band". They traveled America playing their songs to youth groups, youth camps, churches, and festivals. They released two albums, Worship Project X and Mr. Brown. Charisma Magazine heralded, "Salt the Band", as one of the top 10 unsigned Christian bands in 1999 even declaring, "If you've ever wanted to be into a band before they make it big, this is that band!" They played festivals alongside PETRA, Audio Adrenaline, The Katina Boys, Plumb, Christafari, and many other popular CCM acts of the late 90's early 2000's. Eventually Chris felt the call of God to pursue a life of leading worship full time. The desire to lead people into the presence of God became his focus and he began to passionately pursue God's presence for himself. It was at that time "Salt the Band" called it quits -- after ten successful years. They did however still have six months of shows scheduled. It was during that six month period that a starter record label wanted to sign them to a recording contract. The label was "Fervent Records" and had just signed Big Daddy Weave and By The Tree. They were slated to be the third act on the label. But staying true to their belief that God had called them to walk away, they refused the deal. In 2005 Fervent Records was bought out by Word Records.
Chris pursued the heart of the father in a way he never had after the band broke up. He was hired part time to lead worship at his local church but had grown tired of the ho-hum Christianity that he was experiencing. Having gotten married during this season, he and his wife attended a conference at Bethel Church in Redding, CA. It was at that point that they knew they needed more. A couple years later they would leave Seattle, WA and take up a full time worship pastor position at a church in Central, CA eventually ending up in Las Vegas at Encounter Church as the Worship Community Pastor.
Chris is in his 8th year as the worship pastor at Encounter Church Las Vegas and heads up Encounter Worship Collective. "This is absolutely the most incredible place to serve. I love this community and I love what I do."
He has 4 wonderful children with his wife, Carley.
