About Chris Hazelip

My role as a teacher in local churches started in 1987, and I have taught adult Bible classes regularly since then in churches and parachurch ministries. I also speak to various civic clubs, schools and professional organizations.  Although my journey has involved mis-steps along the way, I am committed as a life-long pursuit to know Jesus, and to follow His teachings better. As part of that commitment, I have regularly attended Bible-teaching churches for over 40 years, and regularly study the Scriptures on my own.

As to my education and professional background, I graduated from Wheaton College (IL) in 1981, B.A. (Philosophy), and then attended law school at the University of Florida, where I graduated in 1984. I am board certified by The Florida Bar in Civil Trial Law, and the focus of my practice is the litigation and trial of jury and non-jury lawsuits. For a more detailed Bio, click here or visit my LinkedIn page.

The most intense learning experiences I’ve ever had, however, are undoubtedly in my family life through Sally, my wife of over 35 years, and our four children. God bless them, every one.

My Story & Faith Journey

Every now and then, I am asked to speak in a variety of settings, sometimes small and sometimes large. Such times can provide me with an opportunity to share a part of my story, including specifically my faith journey. In August of 2004, I was involved in a rather dramatic event in Jacksonville that you can read about here washingtonpost.com and here jaxdailyrecord.com.  The “ripple effects” of that day continue, as seen in the more recent article here jacksonville.com/news/metro/2017-08-03/jacksonville-attorney-held-hostage-13-years-ago-remembers-day-divine/ .

That event led, through a series of unusual circumstances, to me being the keynote speaker and sharing my testimony before approximately 2000 people at the Annual Ft. Wayne, Indiana Prayer Breakfast in October of 2004, found here:

On July 25, 2012, I had an opportunity to speak at Grace Community Church in Cashiers, NC:

On April 7, 2012, I spoke at Southside United Methodist Church in Jacksonville, at the 63rd Annual Mens’ Easter Prayer Breakfast: