Building a Ministry: A Conversation with Kyle and Christina Kroger
What happens when two college students are radically transformed by the love of Jesus? They decide to spend their lives helping others experience that same love. That’s exactly what happened to Kyle and Christina Kroger, and their journey into campus ministry has been a wild mix of faith, challenges, and life-changing moments.
In this episode of the Collegiate Church Network Podcast, host Jay Bennet dives deep with the Krogers to talk about their journey, from being discipled in college to planting Taproot Church at the University of Texas at San Antonio. Their story is raw, funny, and packed with wisdom for anyone navigating ministry—or just life.
A Journey of Transformation
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.”
For Kyle, it was a little different. He came into college feeling like an outsider. “I was the black sheep—the kid who couldn’t follow the rules,” he admits. But instead of sidelining him, this new community valued his strengths and encouraged him to lean into his faith.
Those years at Texas A&M weren’t just formative—they were life-altering. “We were discipled, equipped, and completely transformed,” Christina says. It didn’t take long before they knew: this is what they wanted to do for the rest of their lives.
The Hard Stuff No One Prepares You For
Ministry is beautiful, but let’s be real—it’s also hard. And Kyle and Christina don’t sugarcoat it. One of their biggest fears early on 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
Before Taproot Church launched in 2017, Kyle and Christina and their team spent five years praying. Let that sink in—five years.
“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.”
This focus on prayer underscores a key takeaway from their story: ministry isn’t about quick wins. It’s about trusting God over the long haul.
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.”
But it’s not always easy. Kyle jokes, “Kids are great for scaring away college freshmen who are still excited about the ‘bubble’ of college life.” They’ve learned to balance bringing their kids into ministry while also setting boundaries when needed.
What’s Shaping Them Right Now
Kyle and Christina are big believers in staying spiritually and emotionally healthy, and they’ve leaned into some incredible resources along the way:
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.
Wisdom for the Journey
As they prepare for a well-deserved sabbatical, the Krogers have a few words for anyone in ministry—or considering 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.”
Embrace Both Multiplication and Healing: Ministry needs both—the 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 it’s prayer, counseling, or practical support, don’t be afraid to ask. “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.”
Their story is a reminder that God doesn’t just call us—He equips us. And no matter how messy, challenging, or uncertain the journey feels, He’s always faithful to see us through.
