What is your name?
April Parejo

How old are you?
32 years old

What is your occupation?
formerly a high school teacher, currently a stay-at-home mom

Who is your family? (i.e., wife/husband, kids, siblings, ect.)
My husband is Mike Parejo, the Pantano Christian Church Student Ministries Pastor. Our children are Nathan, 5 years old, and Logan, 3 years old.

How long have you been involved in Student Ministries?
Wow! I’ve been involved in student ministries almost half my lifetime! I began helping out with my home church’s middle school youth ministry during my summer vacations as a 19 year old. In my early to mid-twenties I ventured into leading a high school small group. In my late twenties and into my thirties I began volunteering with college students and led/facilitated Bible studies for students wanting to delve deeper into God’s Word. Now, at age 32, I am back where I began. I just started volunteering with middle school students again and have an amazing group of 6th and 7th grade girls who I get to love on each week.

When and how did you become a Christian?
I initially accepted Jesus as my Savior as a 5 year old in my mom’s station wagon on the way to Gemco (similar to today’s Walmart or Target). I enjoyed church and loved Jesus but didn’t really understand what having an active and vibrant relationship with Christ meant until I grew older. I “rededicated” my life to Christ as a 7th grader during a summer camp and began truly trying to live my life for him from that moment forward. Maybe that is why I have such an affinity for student ministries; it is such a pivotal point in young people’s lives. They have such an opportunity to shape who they will become through the decisions they make during those tween and teen years.

What is a little known fact about you?
I have a “geographic” tongue. It has lots of weird cracks and grooves in it and I can make it look really gross.

What is your worst high school or middle school memory?
Middle school was a hard time for me overall. I was already 5’8” as a 7th grader, gangly, and totally self-conscious. I think my worst memory is when one of my fellow 7th grade classmates made a snide comment about how I dressed. I went home sobbing to my mom.

What is your favorite high school or middle school memory?
I loved having bonfires at the beach with my friends in high school. Every Saturday night we’d pack some snacks, firewood, and blankets and head out to Pismo Beach (in California) to hang out, until curfew of course.

Do you have any pets?
Yes, Mike, the boys, and I are proud owners of a psycho dog named Jake. He is a nearly 9 year-old Jack Russell Terrier and STILL has not calmed down. We also have a betta fish named Bruce V. (Bruce I, II, III, and IV have all passed on; may they rest in peace.)

What is your favorite book of the Bible?
I am particularly fond of James. Its practical instructions for life always challenge me and it is written in such a clear cut manner that I cannot mistake what the message is.

What is your favorite flavor of Eegee’s?
Lemon or Orange Dream

How many broken bones or stitches have you had?
I am proud to say that I have had no broken bone and only a few stitches here and there for random little things.

What is your favorite movie?
Legends of the Fall: the history lover in me likes that it is set during the Westward movement and the chick in me likes the romantic relationships in it.

What is your most memorable Student Ministries experience?
There are so many! I’ll try to narrow them down to three. My favorite middle school ministry memory is attempting to hold a sleep-over for about 15 girls - by myself. My favorite high school memory is attending Hume Lake Summer Camp as a camp counselor and having my girls try to sneak a pet mouse (that they found outside in the woods) into our cabin for the week. And, my favorite college ministry memory is simply all the wonderful relationships that I have had with students over the years and watching them develop their faith as they grow into men and women of God. I hope I can challenge them to live out loud for Jesus as much as they have challenged me to do so.

What is your favorite vacation spot?
Borrego Springs, CA. It is a tiny little desert town outside of San Diego with nothing to do there but hike, jeep, and play cards but my family always has a good time when we are there.

What kind of car do you drive?
A red Toyota 4-Runner

What is your favorite kind of candy?
Anything fruity – Skittles, Starburst, Laffy Taffy, Nerds

What is your favorite music genre?
I’ve got no clue. I’ll listen to almost anything. The only genres that I do not prefer are country and opera. Generally I listen to Air One on the radio so I guess Contemporary Christian Rock is my genre of choice.

What is your favorite kind of bug?
Let’s say ladybug. They are the only type of bug that I’d be pleased to find on my person.