Our Team

We may be biased, but we believe we have the most incredible group of people leading United City Church, a church rich in history and deeply rooted in advancing the mission of God’s kingdom. United City Church is led by Dr. Chris Kouba and supported by a talented team of gifted, creative, innovative, and Jesus-loving people, all united around a common goal: to cross every divide to live united in Christ.

Contact Information

Chris Kouba

Lead Pastor

Chris Kouba is the lead pastor of United City Church. Along with a unique ability to bring God’s timeless Word to real, everyday life, he brings almost 20 years of ministry and dynamic leadership experience to effectively reach the least, the last, and the lost to a redemptive relationship with Jesus Christ. As the lead pastor, Chris provides biblical teaching, leadership, and direction to both the staff and the church as a whole. He is known for his passion, directness, and unwavering commitment to equip the saints – you – for the work of ministry, and he believes it begins with everyone, every day, taking that next step.

Under his leadership, this historic church, founded in 1906, has experienced a fresh move of the Holy Spirit, baptizing record numbers since the beginning of the Covid pandemic. His vision to reach those who are not yet here with the life-changing message of the Gospel can be seen as he enthusiastically equips the church to live on mission outside of the Sunday experience, taking their next step to becoming disciple-making disciples who are ambassadors for Jesus Christ.

A native to Houston, Chris graduated from Baylor University. He received his Master’s of Divinity from Dallas Theological Seminary and his doctorate from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Chris met his wife, Hillary, while they were both attending Baylor, and they have been married for over 19 years. They have four children: Katelyn, Mackenzie, Hudson, and Griffin. Their combined commitment to strengthening families to raise the next generation of Christian leaders begins in their home and moves outward as they champion other families in the community to do the same.

Before serving at United City Church, Chris began his ministry and leadership at Prestonwood Baptist Church, where he served for over 17 years. In addition to his role as lead pastor at United City Church, Chris currently serves as a board member for Houston Christian University and as an adjunct professor for Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.

In his off time, Chris enjoys smoking meat, coaching his kid’s sports, and anything competitive in nature or involving his alma mater, Baylor University.