Sara Machado

I attended CCS from 2008 to 2021, from kindergarten through 12th grade, and graduated in May of 2021. Some of my best memories at CCS are from Winter Expedition trips. The combination of spending time with friends, being outside in the woods, and being encouraged in my walk with Jesus always made for a great start to the year. Of course, the leadership program is also a highlight for me. Senior Leader training, though challenging, was one of the most rewarding things I’ve ever done. 

I also had the opportunity to go on a CCS mission trip to Mexico during my senior year, which was a truly joyful experience of service, worship, and sharing the gospel. Due to the relationships CCS has built through these trips, I have been able to serve and collaborate with another of their mission partners, the Bueno family in Panamá. Despite not going to Panamá my senior year due to Covid, I have been to Panamá six times with a team of alumni and friends of CCS in my post-high school years, serving as the hands and feet of Jesus and supporting the Bueno family and their ministry. Beyond that, I have been able to support their ministry from home, designing logos for their sports ministry program and coffee bags. God has used CCS to open such amazing avenues for me to use my skills and time to further his kingdom! 

After graduating from CCS, I attended the University of Florida and will be graduating this spring with a BFA in Graphic Design. In my time at college, I found a great community with the Navigators, a campus ministry, and I have recently spent a lot of time running the trails in Gainesville. 

Looking back at my time at CCS, I can say the leadership program had a huge impact on who I am today. Having the opportunity to challenge myself to develop as a leader physically, mentally, and spiritually was an unmatched experience and has paid great dividends. Overall, the spiritual and academic foundation I built at CCS prepared me well to endure a tough first year of college and beyond.