![\"\"](\"https:\/\/iphc.org\/gso\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2024\/07\/Chris-and-Debbie.jpg\")
<\/a>Chris Maxwell and his wife, Debbie<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/p>\n
Chris Maxwell was born and raised in Georgia where he attended a Methodist church until he left home for Emmanuel College (now Emmanuel University) in Franklin Springs. He married his wife, Debbie, between his Junior and Senior years, and they moved to Orlando, Florida following the completion of his degree.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/iphc.org\/gso\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2024\/07\/Graduating-Cass-1982.jpg\")
<\/a>Maxwell\u2019s Graduating Class at Emmanuel College<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/p>\n
In Florida, he was a part of the Assemblies of God denomination, serving as a youth pastor for five years before taking on a full-time pastorate for 20 years. Maxwell jokes that he never intended to return to Georgia, but in the fall of 2006, he did just that. He was called back to Emmanuel to serve as campus pastor and Director of Spiritual Life. He and Debbie are parents to three boys, who are now grown and married, and grandparents to nine. They are certainly a blessed family!<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/iphc.org\/gso\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2024\/07\/Maxwell-Family.jpg\")
<\/a>The Maxwell Family<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/p>\n
Currently, Maxwell works at five different jobs, making it all look effortless, and that\u2019s probably because he is enjoying almost every minute. He is the Campus Pastor and Director of Spiritual Life for Emmanuel University, an editor, writer, and ghostwriter, a valued member of a pharmaceutical company in Atlanta, a Council Member for the LifePoint Conference, and a pastor at a local church, Goldmine IPHC. In addition, Maxwell hosts a podcast that releases a new episode every Thursday called \u201cNext Step Leadership,\u201d and he is also the narrator for the IPHC\u2019s new Ministerial Credentialing Program recordings. It would be easy to look at this list of Chris Maxwell\u2019s accomplishments and assignments and become intimidated. However, spend a few minutes speaking with him and soon realize that he is a humble man and a friend for life.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/iphc.org\/gso\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2024\/07\/Maxwell-Speaking.jpg\")
<\/a>Chris Maxwell Speaking<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/p>\n
There is another part to Maxwell\u2019s story that you would never know unless he told you. Maxwell has epilepsy. Caused by a severe case of encephalitis, which is a swelling of the brain triggered by infection, he became extremely ill in March of 1996, and his doctors were unable to find the issue at first. What started with a headache, quickly grew to hallucinations, that led to a ten-day stay in the hospital. Once the infection was found, the Maxwell family was surprised to learn that the encephalitis was destroying his brain, leaving behind severe scar tissue in his left temporal lobe that would cause cognitive issues for the rest of his life. Maxwell spent months in rehab relearning to do things that he had been doing for most of his life, such as using a fork or tying his shoes.<\/p>\n
It wasn\u2019t just a physical toll that the encephalitis took on his body; there was also a great mental and emotional toll as well. Maxwell came out on the other side with a different personality, a different way of processing information, emotions, and relationships. He recognizes that he isn\u2019t the same man that Debbie married all those years ago, and in his book, Underwater<\/em>, his wife shared that so much changed about him, even down to his sense of humor. Sometimes Maxwell is overcome with sadness, but that sadness is short-lived because he has chosen to live in the now with optimism.<\/p>\n Maxwell is hoping to show people that God works with our wounds and scars. He stated that God is using him: \u201cNot because I can do something, but because of my weakness. His ability is using my inability.\u201d Maxwell\u2019s thoughts on this bring to mind the words Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 12:9-10: \u201c<\/sup><\/strong>But he said to me,\u00a0\u2018My grace\u00a0is sufficient for you, for my power\u00a0is made perfect in weakness.\u2019\u00a0Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ\u2019s power may rest on me.\u00a0That is why, for Christ\u2019s sake, I delight\u00a0in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships,\u00a0in persecutions,\u00a0in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.\u201d Blake Rackley, PsyD, a friend and neighbor of Maxwell\u2019s, as well as a Licensed Clinical Psychologist and Associate Professor of Psychology, often shows his students a picture of Maxwell\u2019s brain, pointing out the areas that were scarred by the encephalitis. Rackley explains that Maxwell shouldn\u2019t be able to speak or even comprehend speech: \u201cI remind (the students) that while he is a miracle, he is still a broken miracle\u201d (Underwater<\/em>, p.47).<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Maxwell\u2019s Book Underwater<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n There is a rhythm, a pace, a flow to Chris Maxwell\u2019s writing and speaking, and truly, writing is an integral part of Maxwell\u2019s life. He stated that words have always been important to him, that \u201cstories were always a strength of mine.\u201d Writing is a lifeline for him, a necessity, and since 1996, when the encephalitis threatened to take his life, Maxwell says: \u201c(I) write to remember, to release emotions, to think, to remind someone (I) care for them\u201d (Underwater<\/em>, p.29). After his illness and subsequent brain scarring, Maxwell\u2019s close friend described him this way: \u201cThe scholar became poetic.\u201d And he has. Publishing eleven books to date, he has written on topics stemming from his own experiences. One book, referenced earlier, Underwater<\/em>, speaks about his, and others\u2019, personal experiences with encephalitis, brain injury, and epilepsy. Underwater<\/em> is an encouraging read for those with traumatic brain injuries (TBI), a loved one of someone with a TBI, but also for anyone who needs more hope in their lives.<\/p>\n Maxwell\u2019s upcoming book, his twelfth, is a series of letters written to the younger generation, full of thoughts and advice that he would want to impart. In the late part of 2023, he hid away in the mountains of Georgia and wrote most of this book. Without giving too much away, Maxwell shared: \u201cSo much of my role is listening to students, talking with them about their disappointment with God. Talking with pastors about their disappointment with God.\u201d He is pulling from his own life and his experiences as a pastor, mentor, and friend. According to Maxwell, the best way to combat that disappointment is to walk with and press into God, not to pull away in fear and anger.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Maxwell\u2019s 12th Book – release date October 1<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n Chris Maxwell\u2019s ultimate desire is to be known as a \u201cson of Barnabas,\u201d a son of encouragement. He wants \u201cears to listen and a heart to care.\u201d To those who know him, he already is a son of Barnabas. He has chosen to live life full of joy and peace, sharing his optimism and faith with others, inviting them to walk this sometimes difficult journey alongside him.<\/p>\n To purchase Maxwell\u2019s book Underwater<\/em>, follow this link: https:\/\/a.co\/d\/aFjumF0<\/a><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/iphc.org\/gso\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2024\/07\/Underwater-Cover.jpg\")
<\/a>![\"\"](\"https:\/\/iphc.org\/gso\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2024\/07\/12th-Book-Cover.jpg\")
<\/a>