CHAITANYA GERA
SPIRITUAL COACH, LEADER, PASTOR AND TEACHER
Summary
Dynamic leader with extensive experience in pastoral roles, notably at Capstone Assemblies of God Church, where I spearheaded community service programs and led significant growth initiatives. Skilled in theological understanding and organizational leadership, I excel in developing strategic ministry expansions and fostering spiritual cultivation. Achieved notable success in volunteer management and leadership development, enhancing church engagement and outreach.
Overview
23
23
years of professional experience
4
4
Certificates
6
6
years of post-secondary education
Work History
Lead Pastor
CAPSTONE ASSEMBLIES OF GOD CHURCH
09.2007 - Current
- Coordinated and spearheaded programs to increase church members' service throughout community.
- Led programs such as worship, study, fellowship, and service opportunities.
- Officiated special services such as weddings, funerals, baptisms, and nursing home services.
- Provided spiritual care through visitation, counseling, and prayer.
- Oversaw administration and management of all areas of ministry.
- Planned and conducted worship services, wrote sermons, and worked with key church leaders to carry out church mission.
- Supervised associate pastors and staff leading education, youth, pastoral care, and older adult ministry programs.
- Raised congregational awareness of needs and contributions of youth to church life and operations.
- Worked with stewardship to promote responsible biblical stewardship.
- Established mentorship programs for new believers seeking guidance on how best to navigate their spiritual journey.
- Organized mission trips both locally and internationally to cultivate compassion and service within the congregation.
- Empowered youth within the congregation through targeted programming designed to encourage spiritual growth and leadership development.
- Assisted families during times of crisis by providing compassionate pastoral care, prayer support, and guidance.
- Enhanced congregation growth by implementing innovative outreach programs and community engagement initiatives.
- Fostered spiritual development through the creation and implementation of dynamic sermon series and small group studies.
- Managed facility upkeep projects to ensure a welcoming environment for all who entered the church building.
- Authored sermons, speeches and other religious materials.
- Led renovation and expansion project, successfully renovating or remodeling existing sanctuary, multipurpose facility and restroom facilities and classrooms.
- Provided spiritual and administrative leadership to church and managed daily operations.
- Oversaw financial management for the church, ensuring responsible stewardship of resources and budget allocation.
- Provided premarital counseling and officiated weddings, helping couples establish a strong foundation for their marriages.
- Recruited trained, and mentored volunteer leaders to assist in various ministries, enhancing overall effectiveness.
- Collaborated with church leadership to develop strategic plans for ministry expansion and sustainability.
Faculty Teacher
ANDHRA PRADESH BIBLE COLLEGE
07.2005 - 03.2015
- Implemented differentiated instruction techniques to accommodate diverse learning styles within the classroom.
- Boosted student engagement with interactive learning activities designed to promote critical thinking.
- Assessed student performance through regular evaluations, providing constructive feedback for continuous improvement.
- Assisted in creating a safe and nurturing classroom environment that promoted emotional well-being and academic growth for all students.
- Developed and implemented a course curriculum for Biblical subjects like.... Life of Christ, Contemporary Youth Ministry, Basic Theology, Foundational Doctrines, Principles of Preaching and Book of Hebrews.
Missions Coordinator
TELUGU ASSEMBLIES OF GOD
01.2009 - 12.2011
- Successfully completed numerous missions by skillfully coordinating teams of volunteers and professionals across diverse settings.
- Spearheaded volunteer recruitment initiatives that attracted a dedicated pool of skilled individuals to support various missions.
- Provided comprehensive pre-mission briefings for participants, setting clear expectations regarding roles, responsibilities, and desired outcomes while mitigating potential challenges.
- Devised creative solutions to logistical obstacles encountered during missions, ensuring seamless execution despite unforeseen circumstances.
- Built a network of community contacts who supported missions through donations or services, increasing overall project success rates.
- Promoted cultural sensitivity and understanding through educational programs and workshops for staff members.
- Established strong relationships with local partners, fostering collaborative efforts toward mutual goals.
Director of Youth Ministry
TELUGU ASSEMBLIES OF GOD
01.2002 - 12.2008
- Initiated successful fundraising campaigns to support mission trips, retreats, and other large-scale events for the District youth ministry.
- Implemented leadership development opportunities for Youth leaders within the organizational context, cultivating a new generation of active contributors to local churches.
- Coordinated special events such as youth camps or retreats that strengthened interpersonal relationships among assemblies of god churches while strengthening their youth ministries.
- Championed intergenerational opportunities for collaboration between the youth ministry and other church departments, fostering unity and mutual support among congregants of all ages.
- Facilitated workshops on various topics including faith formation, vocational discernment, and life skills for youth in different age groups from different churches.
Education
Doctor of Ministry - Leadership, Formation And Church Planting
Asbury Theological Seminary
Wilmore, KY 07.2024 - Current
Master of Arts - Strategic Leadership
Life Pacific University
San Dimas, CA 01.2020 - 05.2023
Bachelor of Arts - Theology
Southern Asia Bible College
Bengaluru, India 06.1998 - 03.2001
Skills
Pastoral counseling
Disciple-making
Spiritual cultivation
Biblically based
Spiritual instruction
Organizational Leadership
Preaching
Mission-oriented
Officiating Weddings
Leadership Development
Staff Management
Teaching
Public Speaking
Volunteer Management
Theological understanding
Languages
English
Advanced (C1)
Telugu
Bilingual or Proficient (C2)
Hindi
Advanced (C1)
Certification
Certified Communications Coach, John Maxwell Leadership Team, Orlando
Affiliations
- Teaching Member of John Maxwell Team
- Ordained Minister with Assemblies of God India
- Episcopalian Ordained Minister with Indian National Apostolic Diocese
Accomplishments
- Increased giving in church 80% over past 5 years.
- Planned and led over 80 mission trips to 15 states across India, 6 countries in Asia and Africa.
- Established solid presence in community, successfully growing church membership 40% year over year.
- Pioneered 4 contemporary churches in urban context in Hyderabad and Visakhapatnam.
Work Availability
monday
tuesday
wednesday
thursday
friday
saturday
sunday
morning
afternoon
evening
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Software
MS Office, Word, Excel, PPT
Adobe Photoshop
Interests
Cricket
History Documentaries
Police Procedural Dramas
Inspirational & Autobiographical Books
Timeline
Doctor of Ministry - Leadership, Formation And Church Planting
Asbury Theological Seminary
07.2024 - Current
Certificate of Episcopal Ordination, Indian National Apostolic Diocese, Gudiyattam
06-2024
Master of Arts - Strategic Leadership
Life Pacific University
01.2020 - 05.2023
Certified Communications Coach, John Maxwell Leadership Team, Orlando
03-2018
Certification in Evangelism and Leadership, Haggai International, Hawaii
03-2016
Missions Coordinator
TELUGU ASSEMBLIES OF GOD
01.2009 - 12.2011
Lead Pastor
CAPSTONE ASSEMBLIES OF GOD CHURCH
09.2007 - Current
Faculty Teacher
ANDHRA PRADESH BIBLE COLLEGE
07.2005 - 03.2015
Certified Small Groups Coach, Trinity Christian Center, Singapore
03-2003
Director of Youth Ministry
TELUGU ASSEMBLIES OF GOD
01.2002 - 12.2008
Bachelor of Arts - Theology
Southern Asia Bible College
06.1998 - 03.2001