11-year-old leads Williamsport community and church

WILLIAMSPORT, LYCOMING COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — On Monday, 28/22 News focuses on an 11-year-old boy who is a leader in his community and church.

Since Chris was four, he’s been attending Ebenezer Baptist Church in Williamsport.

“There was this deacon named Pastor Sapp and I used to just follow him around, and he taught me everything to do, and he passed away a few years ago, and then I just kept doing what he taught me,” Chris explained.

Chris became so knowledgeable that they started teaching bible study classes on Facebook Live.

That caught the attention of his new pastor who was looking at the church on their Facebook page to familiarize herself with her new church community.

“But then I saw this young man on, on Thursdays doing these bible studies and I was like ‘Who’s this little man on here?’ And it was the Junior Deacon Christopher, and he was such an incredible bible study teacher,” said Ebenezer Baptist Church senior pastor Doctor MarQuerita Story.

“It feels good because I’m teaching younger kids and adults things that they never knew before,” Chris added.

Chris says he’s been able to achieve so much at such a young age with the help and support of his family, but most importantly, God.

“Nobody can believe in you that you can do something more than God and yourself,” Chris said.

His willingness to teach and help goes beyond the church.

A teacher at Chris’s school says he has the pleasure of interacting with Chris during recess and notices his kindness and compassion toward other kids.

“He just does a tremendous job, just leading the other students, and just being an overall positive influence on everybody,” said Andrew G. Curtin Intermediate School sixth grade ELA teacher Kyle Huff.

Chris continues to amaze teachers at his school.

“We had a student who recently came from Honduras who speaks no English whatsoever, and he has embraced that student, he has taught him American football,” said Brenda Steele, a sixth-grade math and science teacher at Andrew G. Curtin Intermediate School.

Josh Aarons Senior is a mentor and coach and he says he treats Chris just like his own kid.

“We call him deacon Chris because you know he just does everything right, you know he wants to be a leader. He believes God is the way, and he always, always, always wants to help,” said Aarons Sr.

Chris also serves as an inspiration to many.

“Honestly he is an inspiration to me to continue to do what I do,” Story explained.

Chris enjoys playing basketball and is pretty good at it and has won some awards.

“So, when you grow up what do you want to be?” 28/22 News Reporter Iyee Jagne asked.

“NBA player,” Chris replied.

Chris says he has a higher calling.

“I hope one day I can become a pastor or a bishop,” Chris added.

His mom, Megan Rogers, says it makes her proud to see Chris doing something he loves and what she says he’s called to do.

“When I first realized his passion for this, um because, he just used to come up to the altar and just pray. I encouraged him, but I just kind of let him find his own way, and his own walk with God,” Rogers says.

Chris also has some advice for others.

“Anything you believe in, you can achieve in,” Chris said.

“It’s his character, his integrity, and the decisions that he makes daily that set him apart and above,” said Andrew G. Curtin Intermediate School Assistant Principal Adam Paulhamus.

“I just love Chris, and I just want to say go and I hope he becomes this amazing individual that not only Williamsport and the Lycoming area gets to speak of, but that this will be something that the world will say ‘Oh my gosh, he came from central PA,’ and he was always incredible,” Story added.

Chris’s achievements don’t stop there he is a junior camp counselor and was awarded camper of the year.

He also helps out with his brother Mason who 28/22 News featured in another Here’s to You Kid .

Here’s to you, Chris!

If you have a youngster we should feature, drop us a line at the Here’s to You Kid section of our website .

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