Reckless Obedience and Redemptive Prayer
Listen to the conversation
Episode 6 · 41 min
Kyle and Christina Kroger met Jesus in college and decided to spend their lives helping other students meet Him too. Their path into campus ministry has had plenty of faith, hard seasons and moments that changed them.
In this episode of the Collegiate Church Network Podcast, host Jay Bennett talks with the Krogers about being discipled in college and planting Taproot Church at the University of Texas at San Antonio. Their story is honest and funny, with practical wisdom for anyone in ministry.
How college changed them
Kyle and Christina both grew up in the church but didn’t truly experience the power of authentic Christian community until college. Christina describes her first home group meeting as a lightbulb moment. “I saw people my age following Jesus because they wanted to—not because someone was making them,” she says. “It was everything I’d been looking for.”
Kyle's experience was different. He came to college feeling like an outsider. “I was the black sheep—the kid who couldn’t follow the rules,” he admits. The community he found valued his strengths and encouraged him to grow in his faith instead of pushing him aside.
Those years at Texas A&M changed their lives. “We were discipled, equipped, and completely transformed,” Christina says. Soon they knew it was what they wanted to do for the rest of their lives.
The Hard Stuff No One Prepares You For
Ministry is good, and it is also hard, and Kyle and Christina say so. One of their biggest early fears was raising financial support. “It’s terrifying,” Christina laughs. “Especially in 2008, right after the recession. But it was also the thing that taught us to trust God in ways we never had before.”
And then there’s the imposter syndrome. Christina shares how her discipler called out the unique gifts God had placed in her life. “I remember saying, ‘Yeah, but doesn’t everyone have this?’ And she looked me dead in the eye and said, ‘No. Not everyone is wired this way.’ That moment changed everything for me.”
Kyle admits he didn’t even know what to fear at first. “I thought I had it all figured out,” he says, laughing. “But 15 years later, I’ve learned humility the hard way. Ministry is messy. People get hurt, including you. But through it all, God is faithful.”
Prayer and the Long Game
Kyle, Christina and their team prayed for five years before Taproot Church launched in 2017.
“It wasn’t always consistent, but those prayers laid the foundation,” Christina says. “Now, when we see God moving, we know it’s because of prayers that were sown years ago.”
Their story is a reminder that ministry rarely produces quick wins, and that it means trusting God over many years.
When Ministry Meets Family
As parents, the Krogers have had to learn how to integrate ministry with family life. Christina remembers God reassuring her before they planted Taproot. “He told me He wasn’t asking me to sacrifice my family for this ministry,” she says. “That gave me the freedom to approach ministry in a way that was holistic and healthy.”
Their family has become a unique part of their ministry. College students often find healing in seeing what a healthy family can look like. “We’ve had students say, ‘Watching you parent your kids has helped me process my own childhood,’” Christina shares. “That’s God at work.”
It isn't always easy. Kyle jokes, “Kids are great for scaring away college freshmen who are still excited about the ‘bubble’ of college life.” They have learned to bring their kids into ministry while setting boundaries when they need to.
What’s Shaping Them Right Now
Kyle and Christina work at staying spiritually and emotionally healthy, and these resources have helped:
Sabbath: Inspired by The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry by John Mark Comer, the Krogers started observing a true 24-hour Sabbath. “We turn off our phones, eat together, and just rest,” Kyle says. “It’s been life-changing. I get more done in six days than I ever did in seven.”
Counseling. Christina calls counseling her “lifeline” in ministry. “I’ve learned to stay in counseling as a regular rhythm, not just when things are falling apart,” she says.
Books and Podcasts: Christina’s deep dive into Genesis reignited her passion for God’s Word. She also recommends Nate Land, a clean comedy podcast, for moments of joy and light-heartedness.
Understanding the Brain: Kyle found The Addictive Brain on Audible to be a game-changer for understanding how habits and temptations work. “It’s helped me approach conversations about healing and addiction with so much more empathy,” he says.
Advice for the road
As they get ready for a sabbatical, the Krogers have some advice for anyone in ministry or thinking about it:
Hold On to Jesus: “You’re going to face disillusionment, conflict, and heartbreak,” Christina says. “But don’t let go of Him. He’s the only one who will get you through.”
Make room for multiplication and for healing. Ministry needs a vision to multiply disciples and the compassion to walk with people through pain. “Both are biblical,” Kyle says. “And both are essential.”
Ask for help, whether you need prayer, counseling or practical support. “You’d be surprised how often people want to help—they just don’t know how,” Christina adds.
A Final Word
“Keep going,” Christina says. “What you’re doing matters. Ministry is hard, but it’s also an unbelievable privilege to partner with God in what He’s doing.”
Kyle agrees. “There’s no perfect church, and there’s no perfect ministry. But there’s a perfect God who works through all of it.”
God equips the people He calls, and He stays faithful through every messy and uncertain season.
Guests & resources
Meet the guests
- Christina Kroeger
Taproot Church
- Kyle Kroeger
Taproot Church