Cris Rogers

Cris Rogers' leadership journey began when he became a Christian as a teenager on a CPAS Venture in Whitby. Sixteen years on Cris is now the pastor of Soul Survivor Harrow and an ordained pioneer minister.

Cris explains how the journey began: 'I was really intrigued by some lads a year older than me at church who had something that I didn't have. I realised that they came back each year from a CPAS Venture with such a passion for Jesus.

'I started attending the same Venture, and when I was 15 or 16 I became a Christian. I sat down in my tent with one of the leaders and we prayed together, and almost overnight there was a change in my attitudes and behaviour.'

'My first ever experiences of preaching, leading worship and leading a small group were all on a Venture, and I was then able to develop as a leader by serving in these ways regularly as part of the Pathfinders group at church.

'I wouldn't be able to do what I am doing in leadership now if it wasn't for the training ground that both Pathfinders and Ventures provided. The experience helped me to recognise my gifts as a leader, a teacher and a preacher.'

Three years ago Cris participated in the CPAS Arrow Leadership Programme. Cris comments: 'Arrow was brilliant - I loved it. Yet, the process of being refined as a Christian leader was painful and challenging. Arrow forced me to examine myself, my motivations, my calling and my priorities - and often that was a very difficult process.

'Arrow encourages leaders to move away from "maintenance mode" to living as an invigorated, passionate leader with the physical and mental energy to model personal evangelism as well as leading a mission-focused church.

'I believe that Arrow has equipped me for a life-time of serving God in missional leadership, enabling many teenagers to come to faith and be equipped to lead others to him.'

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