Preston Centuolo
"it's all about reaching people where they are"
Today’s youth are bombarded by messages of what it takes to
be cool. For some, cool is being in a gang, for others, it’s drugs,
alcohol, or sex. Pastor Preston believes that teenagers need to find
out who they are before they can make sound choices for their future.
They need to know what they believe in, what they are good at doing
and what their goals and dreams are. Pastor P's message is aimed
at helping young people figure out what their dreams are, inspiring
them to achieve their goals, and encouraging them to be true to
themselves instead of sacrificing their goals to peer pressure,
violence or victimization.
Preston's sincere desire is to help youth overcome adversity.
He excels in helping troubled kids, because he shows them
acceptance, love, and respect. The more troubled they are, the more
success he seems to have in relating to them and empowering the
message of hope. His goal is to inspire the leaders of tomorrow to
overcome life’s challenges. "Whether there are problems in their
home, their school, or their neighborhood. I want to make South
Jersey a better place to live for all of us. " - Preston
History
As a young boy Preston was invited to church by a deacon that
promised him jello if he would go. This small effort made a great
difference in the life of a young boy that God would eventually call
into the ministry.
After graduating high school, Preston followed the call of God
by going to Valley Forge Christian College. During his college years
he began ministering to teens at a local church. After graduating
from Valley Forge, he intensified his ministry to teens through the
local church becoming a successful youth pastor serving churches in
Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
Although Pastor P has continued ministering to teens by
serving local churches, his personal ministry has grown beyond the
church doors. Preston founded South Jersey Youth Alliance in 2000
in order to continue to expand ministry to his community and
surrounding communities in South Jersey. Since it's inception, SJYA
has continued to expand its services to teens while, "uniting the
community for the benefit of youth". Preston's evangelistic heart and
love for people have made it possible for him to be used of God to
bring the gospel of hope to teens and adults around the United
States.
Vision
Pastor P is a visionary. God has given him the ability to look beyond
what most people see. He can look at a young man or woman and
see the potential in them that most would not. He can look at a
businessman and know that their desire is to be more than just
successful in business.
Preston looks beyond the current methods of reaching people with
God's message of hope and sees that there are many more ways that
need to be explored. As he continues forward into the future of his
ministry, it will be exciting to watch what God does through the
creative heart of Pastor P.
