Speaker

Rev. Chip Freed

Rev. Chip Freed is the lead pastor at Garfield Memorial UMC (North Coast District), a multi-site ministry with locations in Pepper Pike and South Euclid. 

Since Freed arrived at Garfield Memorial September 24, 2004, the number of active members in the church has increased from 400 to 1,100, the number of children in children’s ministry has grown ten-fold to 150, and the church became the first live video venue in the East Ohio Conference.

The largest ethnic group at Garfield Memorial constitutes only 54% of the congregation, which makes Freed a sought after speaker and workshop leader on the multi-ethnic church movement.  His book on the subject, Two Segregated Souls Never Meet God, is in process.

A native of Youngstown, Ohio, Freed was a vice president of sales, and then a president and chief executive officer in the corporate world before entering the ministry.  Prior to being appointed to Garfield Memorial, he first served Montgomery UMC in Belle Mead, NJ, then Asbury UMC in Elyria before serving as superintendent of the former Mansfield District.

Freed is married to his best friend and ministry partner, Terri, and they have three children.