The Rev. Christine Brunson
Vicar
The Rev. Christine Brunson has been called to serve as Vicar of Episcopal Church of the Cross, joining a growing congregation committed to building a welcoming, Christ-centered community for the Lake Travis, Lakeway, and Bee Cave areas. Her ministry is rooted in grace, healing, and resilience, shaped by a calling “to meet you exactly as you are, where you are, and to walk with you on the journey through the valleys and mountains of this life.”
Pastoral Experience
Christine brings a rich and varied ministry background to this role. She most recently served as Associate Priest at St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church in Austin, where she oversaw ministries with Children, Youth, Families, and Veterans. Prior to St. Matthew’s, she served as the first Chaplain for the Port of Houston, leading the Seamen’s Church Institute’s pastoral outreach to inland and intracoastal mariners working and living in difficult and often dangerous conditions.
Chaplaincy & Crisis Ministry
Alongside her parish work, Christine has devoted significant ministry to crisis and disaster response, particularly with veterans, first responders, and healthcare professionals. She has offered pastoral care, resilience training, and spiritual support during and immediately following traumatic events. Her most recent deployment was serving near the Ukraine/Poland border with volunteers from the US and Poland.
Education & Background
Before her ordination, Christine worked as a licensed Speech-Language Pathologist in hospitals, rehabilitation centers, and other healthcare settings. This experience gave her deep insight into human vulnerability and the need for compassionate presence, qualities that continue to shape her vocation. She earned her Master of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Baylor University and her Master of Divinity from the Episcopal Theological Seminary of the Southwest.
Life Beyond the Church
Beyond her pastoral work, Christine enjoys teaching her son about the world, hiking with her dog, writing for print and online media, and preparing the stand-up comedy routine she is determined to give one day. Born and raised in Austin, she retains a strong sense of Texan identity and delights in prayerfully reminding friends from other states that Texas BBQ is, in fact, the only true BBQ.