Chris served as the Student Ministries Pastor at Long Beach Alliance Church from 1993-2000, and after serving on the leadership team at Neighborhood Church of Castro Valley in the Bay Area, returned to LBAC in July, 2004 serving these past 18 years as LBAC’s Lead Pastor.

Chris has been married to Melinda for 28 years, and they are parents to two wonderful ladies, Jessalyn (22), and Makayla (19). The Lankford’s are freakishly fanatical fans of the Los Angeles Dodgers (GO BLUE!) and are often “on the go.” Melinda works with the Long Beach Red Shield as the Director of Programs & Development. Jessalyn graduated from Simpson University, a Christian & Missionary Alliance (C&MA) University in Redding, CA in 2021, and is now a Case Manager assisting women in the Los Angeles area. Makayla is launched into her Sophomore year at Biola University in La Mirada, and loves playing goalie on the Biola Women’s Water Polo team.

Pastor Chris Lankford completed his undergraduate studies through Biola University in 1992, and completed his M.Div. program in Evangelism & Discipleship from Talbot School of Theology in 2012. Chris has been licensed with the C&MA since 1993, ordained with the C&MA in 2002, and serves with the C&MA's South Pacific Alliance as a coach and mentor for new ministry candidates, as well as serving as the Coordinator of the Licensing, Ordination, and Consecration Council.