At a Glance: Master's of Arts in Biblical Counsling, Southeastern Seminary · Doctoral candidate, Wheaton College · Ordained Minister · ECPA bestselling co-author · Author with IVP · Speaks English & Spanish

I'm a wife, mother, follower of Jesus, and I love helping people meet Him in the pages of Scripture.

Kristel Acevedo is an ordained minister, Bible teacher, and author whose gospel-centered teaching meets people where they are and calls the church to look like the Kingdom. She is the author of Liberated at the Cross and A Way in the Wilderness, both also available in Spanish, and co-author of the ECPA bestseller 3 Big Questions That Shape Your Future. Kristel serves on staff at Transformation Church in South Carolina, overseeing spiritual formation, and is completing her Doctor of Ministry at Wheaton College.

ABOUT

MY STORY

I’ve always been curious about faith, but it wasn’t until my teenage years that I said yes to following Jesus. Ever since, I’ve been a learner at heart. I read and study not to collect knowledge, but to know Jesus more and share what I’m learning with the people around me. I’m an introvert who loves people, and nothing brings me more joy than watching someone take a bold step of faith.

I grew up in Miami in a Nicaraguan immigrant family, surrounded by languages, cultures, and stories. That upbringing opened my eyes, but Scripture is what anchored my conviction. From the beginning, God promised Abraham that all the families of the earth would be blessed through him. That promise is fulfilled in Jesus, who tore down the dividing wall and made us one family. And it will be complete when people from every nation, tribe, and language worship before His throne. A multiethnic church isn’t a trend or a preference. It’s the story of the gospel.

My husband, Alex, and I married in Miami in 2008. Since then, we’ve called many places home. I earned my Master’s degree from Southeastern Seminary in North Carolina, and we helped plant a church in Colorado. In 2018 we put down roots in South Carolina, where I serve at Transformation Church as an ordained minister. It’s truly a God-sized dream realized.

WHAT I’M STUDYING

My doctoral research at Wheaton College explores the lived experiences of second-generation Latino leaders in multiethnic churches in the American South. I’m learning how these leaders build bridges across difference, create spaces of belonging, and meet people where they are, and I’m bringing those lessons to the churches and leaders I serve.

WHAT I TEACH

  • The gospel and the cross

  • Multiethnic and multigenerational ministry

  • How to read and study the Bible

  • Spiritual rhythms and sabbath rest

  • Meeting God in seasons of wilderness

  • Biblical view of immigration

CLOSING

I believe God is able to do far more than I could ever dream on my own, and I’d love to help your people encounter Him too.

Follow my journey.

Anxiety may be loud, but Jesus has the final word. 🤍 Save this for the next time your mind won’t slow down. (Philippians 4:6-7)
Revelation 7:9 isn't simply a goal for diversity. It's a picture of unity in diversity: every nation, one voice, one Lamb. I've spent years serving in ministry leadership at a multiethnic, multigenerational church. Through my doctoral research, I've
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Can I be real with you? I used to be real stingy when it came to being financially generous with our church. I was living in a scarcity mindset. I didn't trust God to provide, so I held back. But being stingy didn't decrease my financial anxiety.
October recap. 🥰🍁 Who knew you could pack so much into one month?
My doctoral research focuses on second-generation Latino leaders in multiethnic churches. After reading more than 60 books for my program, these are the 11 I keep coming back to. These books have shaped my heart as much as my mind, and I think there