Last November we were able to sit down with Gerado and hear his extraordinary bold move as he leaves his home down in socal, to pursue a youth ministry job in Portland, Oregon.  Here is his story.

Take me back 5 years ago...

5 years ago I was the youth minister at Holy Family in Artesia.  I always look back and laugh at how unprepared I was and how naive I was to the world of ministry. I have definitely grown since my time at Holy Family.  Two churches later, I would have never thought I would be in this position and still serving. It is very humbling and such a privilege to be used by God. I have made many mistakes in my life but God has always been resilient in his pursuit of me.

What was your encounter with God like when moving?

It was tough to make the jump to Portland. I was going through a very trying time in my life and I kept telling myself that I wasn’t ready for this. As a matter of fact, after my first interview in a coffee shop, I ran straight to the restroom and threw up because I felt God wanted this for me even though at the time it was something I didn’t necessarily want.

God’s timing often is slow and methodical– and in that process we forget that He sometimes moves at a fast pace. God wasn’t telling me that He wanted this in two years, with every point of discernment I felt the spirit telling me that God wanted this for me NOW, and that was scary.

Did you have any doubts or fears? How did you navigate through them?

My biggest fear and doubt that I had to overcome was my fear for change.  I was scared to leave the comfort of my family, friends, and mentors.  But more importantly I was scared that I was making wrong decision.   You can seek advice from friends and people who mentor you, but at the end of the day it was prayer that really got me through. I would pour my heart out to God in Adoration and in Mass and when He spoke to me He spoke to me. I am a strong believer in the fact that God’s plan for you will never fail.