20 Apr Unexpected Death of Pastor Chris Little
Chris and Keri Little
Chris Little, senior pastor of Mt. Pleasant UB church (Chambersburg, Pa.), died suddenly and unexpectedly on Tuesday, April 19. His son, Christopher, found him unconscious and unresponsive in the garden. He was taken to the hospital and was pronounced dead at 6 pm. Chris was 51 years old.
His wife, Keri, was on her way to Pittsburgh for a mission conference with ladies from the church. She returned to join their children, Samantha, Tabitha, and Christopher at the hospital.
Chris and Keri were married in 1988 and raised three children, all of whom are now adults. He began his ministry in 1996 as associate pastor of Mt. Pleasant UB church. Chris was ordained in 2000, and became senior pastor in October 2001. Today, Mt. Pleasant has an attendance of 350 and a multiple staff, including son Christopher, who is Pastor of Outreach and Assimilation.
In addition to his role as a pastor, Chris provided leadership to the denomination as a cluster leader and member of the Pastoral Ministry Leadership Team. In those ways, he invested in the spiritual health and vitality of pastors and in their preparation for ministry.
“This devastating news will affect many, many people,” wrote Bishop Todd Fetters. “I, for one, am grateful to the Littles for their sacrificial and faithful service to the UB church. Keri told me, ‘Chris loved being a UB pastor.’”
Please keep the Little family and the Mount Pleasant congregation in your prayers.
Cards can be sent to Keri and Christopher at the church:
2509 Black Gap Road
Chambersburg, PA 17202
Cathy Houser
Posted at 11:04h, 20 AprilHe was the best. Friend, Pastor, Employer.
Barbara E Wadel
Posted at 12:01h, 20 AprilPastor Little was my pastor for 5 years. He loved his Lord Jesus, and the congregation the Lord gave him. I know he is relishing the presence of the Lord right now.He will be sadly missed my so many. He was truly loved by the people of My Pleasant Church. Truly pray for the family I lost my first husband when I was only 38, my children were 19 and 12 at the time. It will be a very hard time for this dear family!
Barbara Gunder
Posted at 14:45h, 20 AprilI am so sorry for your loss….I will keep the family in my prayers. ….Barbara Gunder…
Trevor Williams, Bishop
Posted at 05:52h, 21 AprilHi all,
I mourn with you for loss. I met Chris in 2000 when a group of us from the U B Conference went on a mission trip to the Mother Church in the USA. I preached at his church one of the Sundays. I am indeed shocked to hear of his passing. God knows all things best and his soul is resting in peace. For the believer, to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.
John Beukema
Posted at 09:42h, 21 AprilGrieving with you over the sudden absence of Chris from this life, but thankful for the certainty of eternity with Jesus. Chris was a fellow pastor and good friend. I value the years we spent together in Cluster with Denny, Jim, Todd, Art. Praying for Keri and the family.
Penny Blizzard
Posted at 11:22h, 21 AprilI am so sorry for the loss of Pastor Little. I had met him through family members of the church. He took time out to speak to my son after a sudden family death.
He was a great guy!!
I’m sure he will be missed by many!
Kendra Wasberg
Posted at 17:12h, 21 AprilSorry to hear of your husband/father’s abrupt passing. I am a member of the Greencastle First United Methodist Church.
Anonomous
Posted at 19:13h, 24 AprilI am very sorry for your loss, Chris will be missed very much.There will never be a pastor the same as him,he was very funny and cared about people so much. Our thoughts are will you