Christie was born in Texas, but raised in Philadelphia, in a family whose spiritual roots drew from Presbyterian, Quaker, and Southern Baptist traditions, and whose regular practice was to offer hospitality to everyone, most notably to visitors from around the world. Christie received a B.A. in music from Vassar College and a Master of Creative Arts in Therapy from Hahnemann Medical College in Philadelphia. Continuing her spiritual journey, Christie went through the Jewish Agency to study and work for a year on a Kibbutz near Hiafa, Israel, then returning to Washington, D.C. area as a music therapist. She was active in ministries to youth and the homeless through the Warner Memorial Presbyterian Church. Recognizing Christie's call to ordained ministry, the Warner Church sent her under care to Grodon-Conwell Theological Seminary in MA where she completed her M.Div. in 1985 and met her future husband. Chrsitie was ordained by the Presbytery of Philadelphia in July, 1985 as Minister of Visitation and Evangelism at the Suplee Presbyterian Church.

Christie is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist.