Cherilyn Strom

Meet Cherilyn.

Gateway 2016 School2School

Co-leader

I first contemplated going on "another country" missions trip while in University. I don't know if it was my own insecurities, or God's leading, or a little bit of both, but I never followed through on my desires/plans to go. Three years ago, our family moved to Red Deer, AB where my children received the distinct blessing of attending Gateway Christian School. During that year, I became a Board member for the Red Deer Society for Christian Education, which is the society that supports Gateway, most notably in aiding in the Spiritual Formation of the GCS students and community. Two and 1/2 years ago, I resigned from the Society Board, and was hired by them as the Worship Coordinator for GCS. As this position has grown, I have been able to develop relationships with the staff and students, and work with them in an area I am passionate about: realizing and understanding that God is the God of everything, and if one learns to search for Him, in all areas of his created world, they will find Him there, speaking in and through everything. In respects to the HANDS teams, I have witnessed the preparation and return of the past two teams from their trips and inevitable transformation of their lives. I know that they have seen God in places and experiences they've never had before. It's in observing that, plus the fact that both my son and my niece are going this year, as well as having great and growing relationships with the rest this year's team, coupled with persistent "what if" and "I just feel like I'm supposed to go" feelings over the past year, that has prompted my desire to help lead this team to Nicaragua this spring. (ok - I know - that's a looong, arguably run-on, sentence. However - true!) I absolutely know that it is part of God's plan in the story of my life, which, although quite far out of my comfort zone, makes it pretty exciting!