DCE at Trinity Badger Ranch
Allyssa Guynes graduated from Concordia University, St. Paul and received a degree from the Director of Christian Education program, which she is now putting to use as the Director of Christian Education at Trinity at Badger Ranch Lutheran Church in Woodway, Texas. Her time at CSP was marked by deep spiritual growth, meaningful mentorship, and hands-on experiences that prepared her both personally and professionally for a life of ministry. Today, she continues to live out her calling by leading others in faith and service.
When asked why she chose CSP, Allyssa shared, “I chose CSP because it was close to home. At the time. I was new to the ‘ministry thing.’” Her journey into ministry was unexpected. Before attending, she “had no desire to serve as a DCE” and “had far different dreams than what the Lord was preparing for me.” It wasn’t until a mission trip to Puerto Rico that she realized her calling. She shared that, “After a mission trip… I knew the Lord was calling me into something far greater than myself.”
Allyssa credits CSP’s faculty as one of the most valuable resources in her growth, saying that “The most valuable resources at CSP are the professors… They really look at the time to invest in you, care for you, and cheer you on each and every step.” One of her favorite experiences was the travel seminar spent studying abroad where she discovered that, “the Word came alive as we walked, prayed, and learned about significant places in the Scriptures.”
Beyond academics, Allyssa found leadership opportunities through mission work on campus, which helped her develop skills and build relationships. She reflected on this involvement as she stated that, “(it) helped me grow in my leadership skills as we organized, facilitated, and led our teams” and deepened her passion for serving others. Through these experiences, CSP prepared Allyssa not only for a career but for a lifelong commitment to ministry and community.