Who is Caroline Candelaria?

Caroline moved to The Netherlands with her family about 15 years ago from the Caribbean.
Her passion has been to work with young people to show them God’s love and to help
them on their spiritual journey. She recently graduated from Moody Graduate School in
Chicago and is the director of Youth Ministry here at Crossroads.

Date of Birth:

20 February 1979

Place of Birth:

Willemstad, Curacao (Netherlands Antilles)

Where I´ve been and what I´ve done:

Where have I been? Well, being an Island girl sort of says it: the islands! I was born in
Curacao, but have lived in St Maarten and Aruba as well, where my mom is from. My family,
meaning dad, mom and 2 brothers, moved to the Netherlands when I was 14; and in the past
15 years I have grown past simply believing in God to placing my faith and future in His
hands, and in doing so to be defined by my relationship with Him. I’ve partnered up
with organizations working with teens in Peru and the Netherlands and also regularly met
with teens in my church in Aruba, which confirmed to me that I would like to keep doing
this – influence young lives for God.
 

Educational Background:

B.S. in Social Work (emphasis on youth work) from Haagse Hogeschool in The Hague, and a M.A.
in Spiritual Formation and Discipleship from Moody Graduate School in Chicago, USA.

 

My Role in Crossroads:

TO LOVE OUR TEENS! I am currently serving as the director of Youth Ministry (YM). It is
amazing to be paid to do what you love most. Along with the YM leadership team we help create
an environment where teens feel loved and where they can learn about what it means to love
God with all their heart, mind and strength and also what it means to be a modern-day follower
of Jesus.

My passion in life:

My passion is to see people grow in their desire God, and assisting in anyway possible to bring
them closer to Christ. Life motto: Live, Love & Laugh!

Hobbies:

Watching movies, cooking, being at the beach, but all of them more so, when done with family and
friends!
 

Favorite Food:

BBQ at the beach

Favorite Movie:

I often say, if there’s a good plot I’ll watch it, but here are a few favorites; “You’ve got Mail”
(for the girly side of me) & “The Gladiator” (for the tough side of me).

Scripture central to life:

There are so many to choose from, but these are from my top few:

1. “Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God,
which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:3

2. “For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until
the day of Christ Jesus.” Philippians 1:6

3. “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” 2 Corinthians 12:9
 

Favorite Quotes:
 

“Expect great things from God; attempt great things for God.”

William Carey

“Life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you react to it “

Chuck Swindoll