Beloved Christian author and pastor Chris Surratt has tragically died after suffering from a “sudden cardiac event” that “no one saw coming.”
Surratt, a pastor who also consulted and wrote about small group ministry, died unexpectedly Thursday, his family revealed.
Surratt, who recently moved back to his home state of Colorado from California, is survived by his wife, Jenny, and their two girls.
Last fall, Surratt began serving as adult ministries pastor at Journey Church in Castle Pines.
Along with his brothers Geoff and Greg Surratt, Chris hosted the “Surratt Brothers Podcast.”
Before returning to Colorado, Chris was executive pastor of discipleship and groups at Harvest Church in Southern California.
He also served at churches in Tennessee and South Carolina, before becoming the discipleship and small groups specialist for Lifeway Christian Resources.
Surratt wrote the books “Leading Small Groups” and “Small Groups for the Rest of Us.”
He also co-hosted the “Group Answers” podcast.
In an online bio, Surratt wrote, “I grew up in the church as a P.K. (pastor’s kid), but dedicated my life to ministry at a youth camp as a teenager.”
Greg Surratt shared news of his brother’s sudden death in a post on Facebook, saying:
“One of the best human beings on the planet went home to see Jesus today.
“He was kind, bright, funny, brilliant, talented.
“But most of all, just a good man who loved God and his family well.
“Perhaps in time, I’ll write something about him.
“I want you to know him like I did, and I hope the world never forgets him.
“But right now it just hurts too much…
“At the same time, we rejoice with the fact that he is with Jesus and our family that has gone before us.
“What a reunion that must be.”
Greg Surratt also shared:
“Yesterday we lost my best friend and youngest brother, Chris Surratt, in a sudden cardiac event no one saw coming.
“I have no words, no explanation, no next steps.
“Please pray for our family, especially Jenny, Brianna, and Ashlyn.
“Someday I’ll write about Chris as a brother, a friend, a husband, a dad, a pastor, and a passionate follower of Christ, but today I will simply grieve and take care of his family as best I can.
Greg Surratt is co-founder of Seacoast Church in Charleston, South Carolina, where Chris had served on the executive team.
Chris Surratt was also a ministry consultant at The Unstuck Group.
Unstuck’s leader, Tony Morgan, also died unexpectedly last year from a heart attack.
In fact, Surratt’s last post on X was a tribute to Morgan.
I am heartbroken that my friend, Tony, is gone. I learned so much from him during the 9 years I was his teammate at Unstuck. He made a huge contribution to the Church, and his legacy will live on through the churches and pastors he helped. We are sad, but he is with Jesus. https://t.co/ZvTLkcNpYu
— Chris Surratt (@ChrisSurratt) September 4, 2024
READ MORE – Deaths Among Young Americans Skyrocket, ‘Experts’ Baffled