Susie Shellenberger Interview
Susie Shellenberger is an international communicator, ordained elder, author, and registered evangelist in the Church of the Nazarene. She is a member of Colorado Springs First Church of the Nazarene, where she teaches an adult Sunday school class. For years, Shellenberger has also been editor of a Christian magazine for teenage girls and has specialized in ministering to audiences of youth and their parents.
Q: Favorite electronic gadget?
A: TV.
Q: Dogs or cats?
A: Dogs. I enjoy being walked by my 150-pound Saint Bernard, Bosco.
Q: Favorite food?
A: Tacos.
Q: I never leave home without my . . .
A: Garage door opener.
Q: Looking back on my life so far, I wish I'd known . . .
A: Files really are important.
Q: What do parents need to know about their kids?
A: Your kids really do want to be closer to you, they just don't know how. Also, they're probably giving out way too much information on web blogs.
Q: You're speaking at the Church of the Nazarene's M7 conference in February. What's your message for that audience?
A: Radical obedience to the Lordship of Christ.
Q: How can the Church help younger people embrace holiness?
A: By living it and preaching it. The message of holiness is one we need to hear more often! We may need to change our methods to reach today's generation, but we can do that without compromising the message.
Q: Are there ways churches can help young people stay connected?
A: Help them find a ministry and get involved in it.
Q: Tell us about your annual mission trips for girls.
A: I've been taking teens on two-week international mission trips for 11 years. We're involved in a rotation of ministry opportunities such as drama, work projects, orphanages, and sharing our faith. Last summer we saw more than 18,000 people make commitments to Christ.
Q: Share a humorous moment from a mission trip.
A: A few years ago we were in Costa Rica. We were going to perform a 20-minute gospel presentation that has a role for a princess character. One of our teen girls had on her princess outfit. Although she was dirty and sweaty from helping with the work project, she was mistaken for Miss Costa Rica. People were seeking her autograph. We couldn't help but laugh—she was filthy from her work and looked anything but royal!
Q: How have your international experiences expanded your life?
A: I have a genuine passion for missionary kids, or MKs. The transition between "home country" and the country in which they live and serve can be tough, but they have such tenacity, flexibility, and commitment.
Q:What are three keys for encouraging youth?
A: Emphasize that:
- Absolute truth is based on God's Word.
- Living through the empowerment of the Holy Spirit is essential to victory.
- Staying in the Word is vital to spiritual growth.
Holiness Today, November/December 2006
Please note: This article was originally published in 2006. All facts, figures, and titles were accurate to the best of our knowledge at that time but may have since changed.
