| Student Ministry Director |
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| Andreas |
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Andreas Custer is Student Ministries Director. He came to Oakwood in March 2008. Andi was born and raised in Austria, where his parents have been missionaries for more than 26 years. He and his wife Jennifer met in high school at the Black Forest Academy in Germany. Andi's favorite verse is John 3:30, "He must become greater; I must become less." Andi says he wants to spend his life making great the name of Jesus!
E-mail Andi at students@oakwoodonline.org.
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Education (high school and college): I was born and raised in southern region of Austria. My parents have been missionaries there for over 26 years. I grew up speaking both English and German. I went to Austrian public school from Kindergarten through 8th grade. For High School I went to Black Forest Academy, a boarding school for missionary kids. The school is located in the very southwest corner twenty miles from the French and Swiss borders. My college days were spent downtown Chicago at the Moody Bible Institute, a small Bible college in the heart of the city. I studied Bible as well as Youth ministry.
When I was in junior high I was the only American in my whole school, maybe even the whole town. That was hard at times, but I loved being there. I had friends from many different countries and felt at home in Austria.
When I was in senior high I lived in a dorm with about 30 other guys about eight hours from my home in Austria. That was a new experience, trading two parents for 30 brothers. It was hard being away from my family, but God really used this time in my life to develop me and to strengthen my faith in Him. I loved being at boarding school and living with all my friends. It was a very unique setting. I was involved with student government and very much into sports. I ran track and cross country, and my senior year I was captain of the soccer team. Go FALCONS! I also started dating Jennifer who would eventually become my wife.
The best fad I was a part of was most definitely the Bleach Brothers. My nine best friends and I all bleached our hair bright blond and thus the name. That band of brothers was such a huge part of my life; having so many close and strong friendships was invaluable to me.
My pet peeves are: getting out of warm showers; when people take the Lord’s name in vain; a wet towel when I need a dry one; the Vikings (I’m a Bears fan!); being away from my beautiful wife; getting beat by my younger brother Scottland at anything; the taste of coffee in anything; and whichever Daylight-Savings day it is when you loose an hour of sleep.
My testimony: Being the son of missionaries, I was immediately immersed in this thing called the Christian life. My parents were the greatest example to me as they modeled to others how true Christians live out their faith. When I was about four, I remember asking Jesus to come into my heart because I didn’t want to go to hell. I knew hell wouldn’t be as much fun as heaven, so I didn’t want to go there. And just to make sure of it, I asked Jesus into my heart every summer at camp for the next 10 years. So as I grew older up into junior high, I was still very much living the faith of my parents. I didn’t have very many friends that were Christians so I felt like I was very much on my own. The result was that I would be one way with my friends and another with my family and church. Not until I went to high school did I see Christians my age living out their own faith for Jesus. I could see their genuine desire to live for Him. Their faith inspired me to take ownership of mine. Not till 9th grade did I begin to fully understand what it meant to be a true young follower of Christ. So many people came around me and along side me and mentored, encouraged and challenged me to be more like Christ. Now that’s what I want to do. Walk along side youth showing them a God who deeply loves them and wants what’s best for them. I needed someone, and others do, too.
My favorite Bible verse comes from the Gospel of John. John the Baptist had some disciples who were complaining because Jesus was attracting a larger following than they were. And John’s simple response to them is found in chapter 3, verse 30. “He must become greater; I must become less.” I want John’s desire to mirror my own. I want to spend my life making great the name of Jesus!
My favorite Christian bands: Underoath, Newsboys, Still Remains, Maylene and the Sons of Disaster, August Burns Red, As I lay Dying, Project 86, Skillet, Hillsong United, Nevertheless, Third Day, Jars of Clay, Hast the Day, Jeremy Camp, Petra… and many others!
Youth events and activities: Aside from the regularly scheduled Youth Groups on Wednesdays and Sunday school on Sundays, there’ll be lots going on. The will be an “End of School Year” Party/camping event. Also the much-anticipated trip to Sonshine Music Festival in Willmar will be a highlight. Perhaps some tubing trips or concerts or lock-ins will find their way into our lineup. Stay tuned to hear announcements concerning the good times to come.
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