After spending 16 years in addiction and many trips to jails and rehabs, Chris Payne's life was drastically changed in 2013 when he surrendered to Jesus at the Russellville Dream Center located in AL. He started a destructive path by using drugs for the first time at the age of 11, not understanding the depth addiction was going to bring to his life over the next 16 years. He wasn't raised to know anything about a personal relationship with Jesus. Growing up without a father, he realized the weight of that void seemed to always leave him chasing fulfillment with anything and everything to ease the pain, and find identity. Finally, he found identity, peace, and purpose with his new life in Christ. 

After surrendering his life to Christ in 2013, Chris spent the next five and a half years helping direct the faith-based life recovery program that helped him out of addiction. During that time, he was ordained and spent those years as Men’s Director, Outreach Coordinator, Associate Pastor and Youth Pastor. In 2018 The Lord called and moved him back to his hometown of Tupelo MS, where he started a new journey. He met his wife Kayla Payne, and married in June 2019 and they started up A Way Out Ministry. A ministry that helps individuals find Hope through Jesus Christ by offering resources for those who may battle with any type of life’s struggles as well as daily meeting or talking with individuals to help disciple or just encourage along the journey. Chris and his wife, Kayla, have a strong passion for Evangelism and a compassion for the broken. The Lord has opened many doors for them to share The Gospel with lots of people over the years seeing 1000’s surrender their lives to Christ. Whether schools, rehabs, jails, churches or just on the street with those struggling they look for an open door to give the same Hope that Chris desperately needed to those who also need it. In 2022 the Lord called Chris and Kayla to quit their jobs and go full time ministry. As The Lord was transitioning them out, their beloved mentor Mike Pittman, very unexpectedly went home to be with Jesus. He left behind his coffee business that was birthed through prayer and created for missions of spreading the Gospel, and at that time they found themselves operating My Brother’s Cup Coffee. It was God's timing, that He would call them out of their jobs, and systematically plan for them a "tent making". With all proceeds going to missions and ministries, that would continue to open up more doors to spread the Gospel and focus on evangelism. 

It isn't just Chris who shares the Gospel and is passionate about others knowing Jesus but his whole crew is right beside him in all he does. They are a family that does everything together. His wife Kayla Payne, Gabriel (Gabe) is 16, Bradynn is 15, Elizah is 4. 

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