Mr. Chris Luken’s desire to learn and his devotion to teach theology has led him to teach at every catholic high school in the archdiocese, with Luken landing in the halls of Trinity. His experience in the field of theology, as well as his devotion to the faith, is simply unmatched.
Securing a teaching role as a theology teacher at every Catholic high school in the Archdiocese is no easy feat, and it just so happens that Luken has the resume to back this extensive history. Luken completed his undergrad at Bellarmine in 2007. “I have a master’s degree in theology… I actually went to Saint Mary as a school of theology, but it’s also a seminary. I went full time, so I went to class with guys who were studying to be priests.”
As previously mentioned, Luken has taught at more than a handful of Catholic high schools, and thankfully for the Trinity community, he has been here for 13 years and counting. Despite his vast qualifications, Luken didn’t begin his Trinity tenure as a teacher, but rather as a coach. “When I walked in the door on day one, this place always felt like a home. ended up working with the cross-country team for a year, and a one day, coach Waggoner called me up, saying ‘So there’s an opening in theology, you need to get your resume in,’ and 13 years later, here I am, still here.”
Theology and the teaching of the subject plays a quintessential role in how people can understand God, the Bible, and how people can connect to the faith. Luken had a very noble reason behind his motivations to become a theology teacher: “I went to Saint Henry High School, graduated in 2003. My first two years, I had the same theology teacher, and he was absolutely amazing. His name was Mr. Willaker, loved everything he did… I always felt a call to some kind of ministry… and I knew what a good ‘good teacher’ experience is like for theology and what a bad was. So I wanted to do everything I could to make sure students didn’t have a bad experience with theology.”
Theology isn’t where Luken’s Trinity portfolio ends, though. As it turns out, Luken is quite involved with the Trinity community. In addition to helping out and working in campus ministry and leading the retreats, Luken directs the liturgy band, and he and Mr. Michael Budniak are the coordinators of the Key Club, which is a service club. “Anyone interested in getting some service hours and having some fun doing it… I do work with the Saint Joseph of Arimathea Society as well.” Both clubs that are mentioned are service-related activities that often involve giving time to those less fortunate, a staple of Mr. Luken’s work.
Taking a look at the life of Luken outside of Trinity high school illustrates a connection to nature and a fondness for the more simple but beautiful things that life has to offer. When he isn’t roaming the halls of Trinity, working in his office, or inspiring students in his classroom, Luken can be found outside of the classroom spending time with his family. Luken is married and also has two daughters, nine and six, and they have a family farm down in in Bullock County. Luken’s family spends the summers down on the farm with activities such as ATV, fishing, hiking, hunting, and anything outdoors.
The Trinity community is very pleased to have held Mr. Luken in one place for many years. His impact and teachings are something that each and every student at Trinity can tell you they enjoyed.
