About Us

Chris Lawson - Profile

Mission & Ministry Foundations

Chris Lawson is an ordained Christian minister, researcher, writer, and missionary, wholeheartedly committed to the Lord Jesus Christ and the integrity of His Word.

As the founder and Director of the Spiritual Research Network (SRN)—an independent Christian outreach ministry—he leads efforts to proclaim the Gospel, equip the Church, and help believers develop biblical discernment.

Chris is also a professional photographer and website developer. His other SRN outreach websites include DangersOfYoga.com and SpiritJournaling.com, and he serves as the site developer and administrator for NewAgeToAmazingGrace.com.

Missionary Background & Ministry Development

Ordained in 1997, Chris has devoted decades to Christian ministry, including long-term church planting in both the United States and Edinburgh, Scotland. It was during his time in the U.K. that he launched SRN as a mission-minded outreach to counter spiritual deception through evangelism and discernment.

SRN: A Platform for Discernment & Evangelism

Under Chris’s leadership, SRN provides Bible-based content aimed at helping Christians recognize and respond to cults, spiritual abuse, mystical or occult influences, false teachings, and emerging theological trends that contradict Scripture. The organization offers resources such as articles, lectures, online content, and teaching seminars that address these pressing issues.

Teaching, Research & Global Outreach

Chris serves as the General Editor and primary writer for SRN’s materials. His speaking engagements have taken him to various places in Europe, North America, South India, Canada, Scotland, England, and Romania—where he has taught at the Golgota Mission Bible Institute in Transylvania. His participation in apologetics and discernment seminars has enabled SRN to support individuals impacted by spiritual deception across diverse contexts. Chris has also been interviewed on various Radio Programs such as Stand Up For The Truth, Understanding The Times, Love For The Truth Radio, SAID Radio, Radio Liberty, Pilgrim Radio, and more.

Authorship & Writing

Chris has authored numerous articles, booklets, and resources on spiritual discernment topics—including the dangers of cults, occult practices, yoga and meditation, spiritual abuse, and pseudoreligious movements. His works such as Yoga and Christianity – Are They Compatible? and Occultic Practices & Beliefs Crossing into Charismatic Revivalism aim to alert church leaders and believers to theological pitfalls and deceptive spiritual trends. Along with other published booklets, he has written Taizé—A Community and Worship: Ecumenical Reconciliation or an Interfaith Delusion?. He also co-authored a very useful reference work titled A New Narrative for a "New" World: A Compendium of Terms To Discern Today's Dialect. 

Resources: Books, Videos, and Media

Chris’s resources are widely available in both print and digital media:

• Publications (Amazon Author Page): Through his Amazon Author Page, Chris has published numerous works that address contemporary issues in discernment, cult research, and Christian apologetics. His publications provide Bible-centered insights and practical warnings against spiritual deception, making them valuable tools for pastors, teachers, and lay Christians.

• YouTube Channel: His Spiritual Research Network YouTube channel hosts a wide range of videos—lectures, conference messages, interviews, and resource reviews—that continue his mission of equipping believers and exposing counterfeit spirituality. With accessible teaching and clear biblical application, the channel extends SRN’s ministry reach globally.

• Chris Lawson/SRN Store: Chris's online store carries a growing inventory of his books and booklets as well as recommended resources from likeminded authors.

• Audio/Podcast/Interviews: Chris's audio resources can be listened to on Spotify, Libsyn (and website archive), and other apps.

Personal Journey & Life

Born in Newport Beach, California, in 1968, Chris navigated a period involving New Age interests and a modeling career before encountering the Gospel. His personal conversion experience led to a deep biblical commitment and shaped his ministry focus on sound biblical theology and encouraging biblical discernment. He now concentrates on in-depth research, writing, teaching, and providing counsel to those seeking clarity amid spiritual confusion. He enjoys surfing, outdoor activities, and most importantly, time with his wife and children.

Read more about Chris's ministry history and travels.

• “And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment; That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ. Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God” (Philippians 1:9-11, KJV).

Chris's Testimony

"I was born in Newport Beach, California, in 1968 and grew up in a wonderful close-knit family environment. I loved surfing, soccer, and making lots of friends. While pursuing an active modeling career, surfing, and dabbling in New Age spirituality, I became very disillusioned with what this world has to offer. No matter what I did in my pursuit of peace and happiness, I always came up empty-handed - my heavily burdened, guilt-laden conscience hounded me to no end. Little did I know, I desperately needed to be forgiven of all of my sins by the Savior of the world.

As a result of this, I began reading the Bible and investigating the claims of the biblical Jesus Christ. I sincerely wanted to know about the real Jesus, not the counterfeit ones of the cults, hyper-faith movements, and the money preacher Christianity as is seen on T.V.  Those are the things that turned me off to Christianity when I was a kid, and I wanted nothing to do with them. Now, at the age of 19, I wanted the truth more than ever. In the Fall of 1989, on a rainy November evening, I yielded my life to Jesus Christ - the one I read about in the New Testament. As Scripture teaches, I was born again, just like Jesus said (John 3:3-5). In other words, I was made alive spiritually in my innermost being by the Living Holy Spirit of God. 

Nothing "weird" happened to me, like the false Christianity experiences as seen on T.V. I simply yielded to and trusted in God as He has said to do in His Word - to save me from my sins and the penalty of judgment that I deserve to pay for sinning against God. As I repented from my sins and yielded to the Lord, I was changed in a moment of time. At that very moment, the vast weight and burden of sin and a filthy conscience were washed away! I was "born-again" [i.e., born-anew; made alive in Christ; born from above] according to what the Bible describes when one repents from sin and turns to faith in Christ alone for salvation.

As I studied the Bible and grew in my personal understanding of God's extraordinary grace, little by little, my life was transformed from the inside out. Forgiveness of sins, spiritual freedom and joy, and learning to be victorious over sinful passions was a fantastic new way of life for me!  Since that evening in the Fall of 1989, Jesus Christ has been transforming my life. There is no other explanation for this biblical transformation as the Bible describes it in John 3 and Romans 12:1-2.  Jesus Christ indeed has risen from the dead, and He has done this wonderful thing in my life.  All praise is to Him!"

Read this page - Have Your Sins Been Forgiven?

Page updated January 20, 2019