Starting Strong

At just 19 years old, Crystal Azocar has already experienced what many others discover much later in life: a conviction to serve Jesus in vocational ministry. Currently training through VBC’s Certificate IV in Ministry and Theology, this young woman from Western Sydney is being equipped not just with biblical knowledge, but with practical ministry skills that are already making an impact.

Crystal's path to VBC wasn't straightforward. Growing up in a Christian family in Carnes Hill, she gave her life to Christ at seven years old after waking up one morning and telling her mum, "I wanna believe in Jesus forever!" But it was during her challenging teenage years—including the devastating loss of her father while she was in Year 11—that Crystal’s conviction around gospel ministry began to grow.

After completing a discipleship gap year at Year 13, Crystal found herself at a crossroads. 

"Every time I thought about going to university, I literally just wanted to cry,” she recalls. “I didn’t feel like uni was the place for me.”

When her mum asked what she was passionate about, Crystal's answer was simple. Two things: her faith and fashion. It was at a careers expo during her gap year that Crystal first encountered VBC. What drew her wasn't just the logistical aspects—the flexibility of learning online and the affordability of the courses—but trainer Andrew Beddoe’s practical, hands-on approach to getting trained for ministry.

This philosophy has proven transformative for Crystal, who had struggled with the academic focus at her high-achieving school. 

"I can honestly say this is the first time in my life where I've been given assignments and not hated them," she beams. "I've genuinely loved all the assignments I've done so far."

But VBC's impact extends far beyond the digital classroom. Crystal's weekly schedule reads like a ministry boot camp: teaching Scripture at her local high school, working at a Christian afterschool care center, helping out her cousin with three children under the age of five, meeting with a church mentor, assisting with youth group, and serving in kids' church every Sunday.

The connection between her studies and ministry practice has been immediate and practical. During last semester's New Testament studies, Crystal had to write and lead Bible studies—skills she immediately applied to her role helping with junior youth Bible study at New Life Anglican Church, Oran Park. 

"It was a really cool opportunity because I've never really done that before, but I'd always been interested. So I was not only given the opportunity, but was given skills for how to do it," she reflects.

What drives Crystal's passion for ministry runs deeper than personal fulfillment. Having attended a Christian school where only a minority of enrolled students were actually from Christian families, she's witnessed firsthand the challenges facing young people today. 

The social impact of the pandemic on her generation particularly concerns her: "A lot of these kids that are coming through into high school, their social capacity in terms of engaging with one another is really low."

Crystal sees herself as part of the solution. 

"I think we need more Christian leaders to help bring up this next generation and show them Jesus' love in another capacity," she explains. Her vision is clear: helping young people see that life doesn't have to be so distorted and dark, but that there is Someone out there who is calling us into His light and into His family—and just how incredible that is.

Looking ahead, Crystal is considering chaplaincy as a pathway to reach the next generation. But whether her future lies in chaplaincy, biblical studies teaching, or another form of vocational ministry, her VBC training is providing the foundation she needs.

For others considering theological training, Crystal's advice is straightforward: "VBC is a great place to start. Just doing this alone has already given me pathways into where I can go next." 

In a world where young people often feel pressured into long-term commitments, VBC offers something invaluable: flexibility to explore conviction, while building competency in gospel ministry. Crystal is grateful for the skills she’s being taught to serve Jesus faithfully, whether in the present moment or for decades to come.