Chrissy Radeleff

Through teaching, Chrissy Radeleff helps others explore their

relationships. It has also helped her strengthen her relationship

with God.

Radeleff is a volunteer teacher at Rock Harbor Church in Costa

Mesa. She teaches as part of The Living Room, a college/singles

ministry for 20-and 30-somethings.

“I would describe it as life-giving in the sense as I know that it

is one of the gifts God has given me,” Radeleff said. “It gives me a

lot of joy, but is also a humbling experience because it’s [teaching]

my peer group.”

Radeleff started coming to the church about a 1 1/2 years ago.

She felt so much at home there that she thought about getting

involved with teaching.

“There’s a strong sense of community and an openness among members

that was very inviting,” Radeleff said.

Chad Coltman, the director of involvement, encouraged Radeleff to

teach.

“He has been a huge part of my life, believing in me and seeing my

gift when I didn’t even believe in myself for some of these things,”

Radeleff said. “Under his leadership, he’s really empowered me to

live out what God has wanted me to do and part of that is teaching.”

Radeleff taught a class called “Figuring out the Fall and Falling

in Love,” which discussed what the Bible says about being in a

relationship with the opposite sex.

“She was fantastic,” Coltman said of Radeleff’s teaching skills.

“We have gotten great feedback from the wisdom that she brought and

the ability she has to teach and share, and we’re looking forward to

using her again in the future.”

She next plans to lead a four-week series on exploring

relationships. She will also be leading a small group for women under

the Women’s Ministries.

“We’re going to go through a book looking at our life and our pain

and how God uses the tough times in our life to bring about his

purposes and help develop us also,” she said.

She draws upon her educational background to help with her

teaching. She is completing a master’s degree in marriage and family

therapy.

Radeleff also works on the ushering team to help welcome people to

Sunday services and helps to clean up afterward. The Sunday services

at the Costa Mesa Senior Center typically draw about 800 people, she

said.

-- Story by Deirdre Newman, photo by Don Leach