Pastor Chris Edmonds is the son of WWII hero Master Sgt. Roddie Edmonds, whose fearless bravery saved the lives of more than 200 Jewish American soldiers in a prisoner of war camp in Germany. Pastor Chris recently received Righteous Among the Nations on behalf of his father from the Nation of Israel and Yad Vashem, the World’s Holocaust Remembrance Authority. Righteous Among the Nations is the highest honor given by the Nation of Israel to non-Jews who rescued Jews during the Holocaust. Master Sgt. Roddie Edmonds died in 1985. He was the fifth American to be recognized by Yad Vashem as a Righteous Among the Nations.

In 2016, The Jewish Foundation for the Righteous reunited Pastor Edmonds with four of the Jewish GIs who were saved by Master Sgt. Edmonds in a documentary entitled Following the Footsteps of My Father. The film won four Telly awards. In November 2016, JFR honored Master Sgt. Edmonds with the Yehi Or Award – “Let There Be Light” and recognized Jewish GIs saved by Master Sgt. Edmonds.

Sgt. Edmonds is being considered for the Medal of Honor, the highest award for valor in action against an enemy force which can be bestowed upon an individual serving in the Armed Services of the United States. He has also been nominated for the Congressional Gold Medal, the highest civilian award in the United States bestowed by the United States Congress.

Pastor Chris is a sought after speaker and leader who recently retired as Senior Pastor of Piney Grove Baptist Church in Maryville, Tennessee, Pastor Chris works to extend his father’s legacy of choosing good, opposing hate, dignifying life, and expressing love to all. He is a Senior Professional in Human Resources with a business graduate from the University of Tennessee. Pastor Chris also holds a Master of Arts in Religion from Liberty Theological Seminary. He and his high school sweetheart Regina are blessed with three amazing daughters and son-in-laws, and seven of the coolest grandchildren on the planet.

As founder of Roddie’s Code, Pastor Chris is committed to extend the legacy and leadership of Sergeant Edmonds by inspiring heroes everywhere to enjoy life, express love, and embrace God above. In the style of a southern preacher, Pastor Chris calls everyone to live by Roddie’s Code by choosing right, opposing wrong, dignifying life, and esteeming everyone. Sergeant Edmonds incredible story and Chris’ improbable journey to discover it is inspiring millions of ordinary people to do what’s right for others and be the hero.

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Pastor Chris Edmonds is committed to extend the legacy and leadership of Sergeant Roddie Edmonds by inspiring heroes everywhere to enjoy life, express love, and embrace God above