Meet Stephon and Christina Chaney

Hi Stephon and Christina, so excited to have you on the platform. So, before we get into questions about your work life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today. 
My husband, Stephon, and I were ordained as pastors on September 19, 2019, by our pastors, Touré Roberts and Sarah Jakes Roberts, at our home church, “One- A Potter House Church.” We had been serving in our church for several years — Stephon with the men’s ministry and I with the women and worship team — but had never considered pursuing any formal titles. Interestingly, this is how my husband and I first met at a fundraiser our church supported back in September of 2013. 

Stephon and I have backgrounds that don’t naturally align with the path of pastoral ministry. Stephon was once a party enthusiast, where indulgence in lust and alcohol was commonplace. As for me, I pursued a career as a singer/songwriter, aspiring for stardom while grappling with the identity of a “promiscuous girl.” However, our individual encounters with God transformed everything. We now understand that church transcends the confines of physical buildings; it’s about living authentically, with love, and in a relationship with Jesus.

Amidst a period of shutdowns, my husband and I were searching for a home in Los Angeles, where we resided at the time. We then ventured to Atlanta, where the housing market proved more favorable. Despite lacking family ties in Georgia, we felt a sense of divine guidance to relocate during one of the world’s most challenging times. As we explored various churches, we sensed an unusual disconnect and sought clarity through prayer. It became evident that God was calling us to establish our own church, and the realization didn’t take long to settle in.

Our journey began with a simple Bible study in our home. Soon after, during the second gathering, a friend in attendance remarked, “What you’re doing is bigger than your home… Please use our space.” This friend and her husband own a beautiful event venue in Alpharetta. In less than a year, a vibrant community has formed, lives have been transformed, and individuals are deepening their relationship with God. We feel immensely privileged to be part of this move of God at Activate!

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Because Activate Ministries is just shy of one year old, we occasionally experience the “growing pains” associated with building a movement like this. We stream our services that are impacting people as far as Australia which is amazing; but are often crippled with audio or internet issues. However, the impact is the important part!

In addition to traditional “church sermons”, we aim to create digital illustrations to pair with our messages to combats the sea of unhealthy content on social media. We would love to have a space of our own where we can really go hard on production. We also occasionally encounter technical issues (as we live stream our Sunday services) and have to set up and break down before and after each service since we are using borrowed space. Despite these minor challenges, we are fortunate to see organic growth and approach each day with strategic planning and preparation one step at a time.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Activate Ministries is a recently established community church located in the North Fulton area. Our primary goal is to address the spiritual needs of individuals by imparting teachings about Jesus and fostering a Biblical worldview in today’s cultural climate. We have cultivated an atmosphere of prayer, worship, and discipleship, aiming to guide individuals in deepening their relationship with God through faith and discovering their purpose.

Recognizing the divisive nature of differing Christian factions, we are committed to reintroducing the pure truth and environment that the church was originally intended to embody; love, power, and sound mind.

We are grateful to witness healing and newfound confidence blossoming in the hearts of those who visit Activate.

What was your favorite childhood memory?
Christina – My favorite childhood memory would have to be the annual road trips my family and I took from New York to Florida during the summer months, watching our favorite cartoons on this old portable, box televisions that look like a tool box. A close second would have to be the countless hours I’d spend practicing in the ballet studio.

Stephon –my favorite childhood memory is spending holidays with the family, during which I learned to play spades while receiving ZERO MERCY from older cousins, aunts and uncles. The thought of it alone makes me want to schedule a family spades reunion ASAP!