Caroline Associate Pastor

My Role in Crossroads

It is amazing to be paid to do what you love most; to love & lead our teens to God. I am currently serving as the director of Youth Ministry (YM) here at Crossroads. Along with the YM leadership team I help create an environment where teens know they are welcomed with open arms, they can struggle with life's tough decisions and learn to own their faith. We aim at helping to bring God's Word to life so the teens will catch a fresh look and want to read it for themselves and be encouraged to make decisions in pursuing an authentic relationship with Jesus and other believers. In other words, a place where they are encouraged to BELONG, BELIEVE AND BECOME.
  

Where I´ve been and what I´ve done

Being a Caribbean girl sort of says it, I come from the islands! I was born on Curacao, but have also lived on St Maarten and Aruba. My family (dad, mom and 2 brothers) moved to the Netherlands when I was 14. My journey with/towards God started at the age of 6; a decision I've never regretted and am still learning to experience on a deeper level. After high school I studied Social Work and got my bachelor from the Haagse Hogeschool. For my 1 year internship I moved to Lima, Peru and ministered among children and teenagers in the neighborhood and was convinced that this is what I want to spend my life on - influence young lives for God.
I figured I needed more Theological training and moved to Chicago for 2 years to get my MA in Spiritual Formation & Discipleship from Moody Graduate School. I moved back home and applied for the youth director position in 2007 at my old church and have never looked back since. I get to invest my time, energy, prayers and love into our teens and students and see lives transformed, healed, set free, LIFE experienced. What a responsibility and privilege. I often tell the youth leaders, youth work costs you more than you imagine AND it'll be one of the best things you get to do with your life.  
 

Scripture that is central to my life

“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

Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.
1 Timothy 4:12

“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

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