Christiana Perez
Youth pastor
Redeemer Temple
Arvada, Colorado
1. Tell us a story about a time where you shared the Gospel (good or bad). How did this impact you or your ministry?
When I was in high school, I thought I’d failed at sharing the Gospel if the conversation didn’t end with a salvation prayer. That belief left me pretty discouraged. Eventually, I learned a freeing truth: some plant, some water, but God brings the growth. That shift took the pressure off and taught me to trust the Lord with the results—not myself.
2. If you could go back in time, what advice would you give your past self?
I’d remind myself that, in ministry, we’re often just the “bus drivers.” People will get on and off along the way, but our job is just to stay on route, focused on Jesus.
3. If you could describe your ministry in three words, what would they be, and why did you choose them?
I won’t overthink it. My ministry in three words is Crossover Youth Ministry. Crossover captures what these years are all about: students moving from kids to young adults. Youth reflects what I love most about this calling: energy, potential, and enthusiasm. And Ministry keeps me grounded in the truth that this work isn’t just meaningful, it’s eternal.
