7 Questions with Shane Critser

Shane Critser

Send Network West Region Director

This week we spend time learning about Shane Critser. Growing up in Kentucky, Shane isn’t necessarily “new” to the California scene, but since CSBC’s recent partnership with the North American Mission Board to become a Send state, we’ve been seeing him around a lot more lately! This extreme sport enthusiast (yes, he has been skydiving!), serves as the Send Network West Region Director. As he describes it, Shane “gives leadership to the Send Network, Church Planting Missionaries” with the purpose of seeing churches planted “everywhere, and for everyone in the west region.”

What book are you currently reading?

I’m currently reading “Shoe Dog: A Memoir by the Creator of NIKE.” It’s an autobiography by Phil Knight, one of the Co-Founders of NIKE shoes, I’m challenged by those who start things from scratch, which is basically the church planting world.

In-n-Out or Chick-fil-A?

No question about it …. Christian chicken

What biblical character (other than Jesus) would you want to meet, and why?

Paul comes to mind first just because of church planting, but I’d also like to meet Jonah because I want to know what it was like inside the whale, and what it was like to see a city transformed from a humble position like his…. Seeing how a city was transformed.

What has been an evangelistic tactic that has worked best for you?

Genuine hospitality. When I host people at my dinner table, and as we get to know their story, it opens windows of opportunity to talk about the gospel. I care about them first, making a meal and them and opening the door.

When you think back to your high school-aged self, what career had you imagined you would be in right now?

I would have been an extreme sport athlete. I love extreme sports. I wanted to be a BMX freestyle guy, and I loved skateboarding, riding the halfpipe, snowboarding, surfing, jumping out of an airplane … all the things.

What is your favorite bible verse or what is a bible verse you are currently meditating over?

“Stillness” is my word for the year, so right now I’d have to say Psalm 62: 5-6 (For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from him. He only is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be shaken.

When you think through all the names of Christ, what name resonates with you right now, and why?

Prince of Peace because I’m learning about stillness. I struggle with the hurried life. I sometimes have to reread Ortberg’s chapter on hurrying. I need to be still and peaceful and hear from the Lord first; to keep people first and not tasks first.