Chris DuPre
By Suzanne O'Keeffe, 700 Club Interactive
CBN.com –CHRIS DUPRE
At the early age of 4 years old, Chris DuPre became the target of a man who was wounded, abused and, seemingly oppressed. This individual was a war hero, a highly regarded and beloved teacher by faculty and students, but to the small boy who called him dad, he was known as different man. For reasons that were unexplainable, unexpected, and without remorse, Chris' dad unleashed his vicious anger on Chris. Chris was 5 or 6 when his father used him as example in a class that he taught. Chris had thought it was his father's intent to show pride in his son but he soon found out he was used to "shame" the students. That was the one time he had the idea that his father cared and loved him but, the truth of that moment caused him to shut his heart down toward his father. After his mother bore witness to the abuse, she took the 3 children and left her husband and Chris describes the next 10 years as coming home to a place of love and affection. His father came around through those years but it was his mother who was his influence in providing an understanding of what love as she showered her affections and was there for him.
When Chris was older and living on his own, Jesus revealed Himself in a supernatural encounter. As Jesus looked into Chris' eyes, he was filled with a deep love and he heard the words, "Wild Love." Chris writes, "His look told me that no one controlled how deeply and how passionately He loved....I was undone." He describes how Jesus held him and rocked him, and as he cried Jesus was whispering, "I love you. It's all right. I'm here. You need to know how deeply I love you." After that very real and tangible time spent with Jesus, Chris began to learn what forgiveness meant. The experience led to the restitution of his life and brought healing as the love of God settled in his heart. The "wild love" not only transformed Chris, it had a far reaching effect as his relationship with his dad was restored and he too came to know the same love of Christ.
Dance With Me was written as his daughter came in the room where he was writing a song about dancing. She had on a white outfit and as he watched her dance, Chris became aware of the Father heart of God. He wrote on a blog that the Lord wants to dance with us all, "one at a time."
Today Chris has a deep desire and devotion to see people of the world come to the truth of what Jesus told him, "I love you....You need to know how deeply I love you."
Chris resides in Franklin, TN with his wife. They have three daughters and four grandchildren.