For over two decades, Chris Tomlin’s voice has been the soundtrack for countless worship services, arenas, and personal devotionals around the globe. While his powerful songs like “How Great Is Our God” have made him a household name in Christian music, his most cherished role is away from the spotlight. Beyond the Grammy Awards and sold-out tours, Tomlin is a dedicated family man, a husband, and a girl dad who finds his greatest joy in the simple, everyday moments at home in Tennessee.
Chris’s journey into family life began when he married his wife, Lauren Bricken, on November 9, 2010. The couple’s love story is a testament to finding a partner who grounds you. Lauren, co-founder of their non-profit For Others, which supports foster children, is often described as the steady force in his life. Together, they have built a beautiful, chaotic, and faith-filled life centered around their three daughters. From the outside, Chris’s career might seem like a whirlwind of tours and accolades, but those who know him best say he remains a down-to-earth, “ordinary guy” who prioritizes changing diapers, school runs, and dance recitals over the glitz of fame.
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The Tomlin Tribe: Meet the Kids!
Chris Tomlin and Lauren Bricken’s family grew with the arrival of three girls, each with their own unique personality. Their first daughter, Ashlyn, is now 14 years old. From a young age, she was known as a fiery “Category 5 hurricane” full of energy and spirit, often insisting on wearing her Cinderella dress as a toddler regardless of the occasion. Madison, now 11, followed and presented a calmer, sweeter contrast to her older sister, though she has since developed her own passionate love for horses.
The family’s biggest surprise came in 2020 when Lauren became pregnant with their third child. Chris initially joked that the news made him almost pass out, but that surprise blossomed into a profound blessing. Their youngest, Elle Grace Tomlin, was born on December 14, 2020. Her arrival was such a momentous event that it inspired Chris to write a Christmas song, “Miracle of Love,” which beautifully wove together the anticipation of his daughter’s birth with the story of Jesus’s birth. Today, Elle is a fiercely independent four-year-old who would rather push her stroller than ride in it.
Chris is the first to admit that being a dad to three girls has been his life’s greatest surprise and joy. Coming from a childhood of all boys, he’s had to master a new world of dresses, fingernails, and hair, though he laughingly confesses that putting hair in a ponytail is a skill that still eludes him. He loves immersing himself in their worlds, whether that’s listening to the Encanto soundtrack on repeat, supporting Ashlyn’s love for theater, or cheering on Madison after a fall from a horse.
Faith, Fatherhood, and the Future
This has been a long time in making but I am so excited to let you all know my new book “How Great Is Our God: Living a Worship Led Life, In A Me Driven World” is coming out March 19th and you can pre-order it now!https://t.co/SPoKely8DQ pic.twitter.com/t1cFo8Qf6j
— Chris Tomlin (@christomlin) February 6, 2024
For Chris, faith isn’t just the foundation of his music; it’s the bedrock of his parenting. He and Lauren strive to create a home where their girls feel incredibly loved and valued while also understanding the importance of truth and grace. A simple yet profound school-day ritual in their house involves Lauren praying with the girls, asking God to speak to them about how much He loves them every single day.
He often reflects on the immense, lifelong responsibility of fatherhood, noting it’s the one thing you can never stop doing. This perspective shapes his approach, focusing on being present and connected despite a busy career. Whether he’s leading thousands in worship or building an ark of LEGOs, Chris Tomlin is a man who understands that his most important legacy isn’t found on a stage, it’s etched into the hearts of his wife and children.
