I don't even know where to begin…so here we go! My name is Christin Anne Chiles I'm 22 and grew up on Anna Maria Island, FL. Growing up on the island was ideal, I had the best childhood and I have such a love for the water from that. I graduated from The University of Florida (GO GATORS!!) last summer and now find myself longing for adventure and to follow Christ wherever He desires to lead me.
I grew up in the Church and I have always loved Jesus ever since I can remember. Through His pursuit and love for me I always knew (even when I was little) what it was like to have a relationship with Christ, and I am so thankful for that. My relationship with Christ truly became my own through some tough times in life where I learned to turn to Him, trust Him and give Him my whole life.
Young life has been a huge part of my life. In 7th grade Teddy Louloudes asked me to go and he was the hottest so of course I went! I was hooked after that first club and have been deeply involved in the organization since. Young Life has been a big part of my identity. I love earning the right to be heard and sharing the gospel with high school kids and then walking alongside of them. My dream and goal is to be on staff with Young Life. I graduated from UF last summer, but all my YL girls are in the Senior year in high school and I didn't want to leave their last year so I have been in Gainesville this year doing YL, living with the amazing/incredible James family, and working.
I have always had a sense of adventure to me and this year I have never felt such a calling to go. I heard about the World Race a couple of years ago and it has been such a journey getting to this point. I'm so amazed by God's pursuit after me to do the World Race and how He has been in every little detail preparing me to go. Jesus calls us to go and make disciples of the nations, so thats that, and here I go.
I have such an incredible and supportive family! It's so neat seeing my family's excitement for me. Especially my older sister Ashley, she has been so supportive and proud of me and that just means the world to me. My Dad has always supported me in incredible ways and is so excited for me to live in 11 countries in 11 months. I don't even know what to say about my Mom, she is my best friend, and I don't know where I would be without her. She has rooted me in the Christian faith and has been such a rock in my life.
I also have the bestest friends in the whole entire world!In college I was blessed with the best community through YL and I am so thankful for them and all the times that we have shared together! I lived in the infamous YL 418 house (8 girls, 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms) and had the opportunity to live with the most incredible girls, minister together, and grow to love each other and God more every day.
The past 2 years I had the opportunity to go to Haiti twice and to serve the Lord and His people. Those trips have blessed me, broken me, and changed me. God has given me a heart and a passion for the lost, hurting and oppresses of this world, but He's also been showing me the it's not enough to want to be His hands and feet, but in doing so I have to make Him the head and go where He leads me. So that's where I'm at now, taking life one step at a time, seriously pumped up, and totally dependent on Him.
