Elizabeth Cernoia

Missionary Profile

Ministry Focus

According to the Barna Group (an evangelical Christian polling firm), 7 of the 10 most Post-Christian cities are in the Northeast. This means there aren’t many Christians in the Northeast, period. But it might look even more bleak for college students. For many young people, all they know of Christianity is the rhetoric of culture war, satirical depictions through the media, or a vague list of moral don’ts. For those who do profess faith in Jesus and enter a dorm room as freshmen, as many as 75-85% won’t graduate with their same conviction. The resounding impact of lostness rings loud on college campuses. Elizabeth didn’t accept faith until her late teens and then lived first-hand a faith that lacked a solid foundation on Jesus; she knows how unsteady that shifting sand can truly be and how easily one can topple. Coming from this place grew in Elizabeth a passion to come alongside others in teaching, discipleship and modeling what Jesus is talking about as He offers us Abundant Life. Although Elizabeth had years of experience in ministry (mostly church-based), Campus Ministry was a shift in direction. In 2009 she became a widow and was thrust into an unexpected season of discerning God’s direction for herself and her young boys. As she waited on God, she reflected that much of her life had been spent ministering to young people and, as she sought guidance and direction, she saw both her personal joy and sense of fulfillment and how God had used her to help others navigate their faith journey. It didn’t take long to know that Campus Ministry was the direction. After investigating several avenues, she found a home with Campus Ambassadors, rolled up her sleeves, and got to work. Elizabeth helped plant the ministry at Fitchburg State and worked at Worcester State. She is currently serving fellow ministers as the Area Coach for Massachusetts and Connecticut.


Faith Story

Elizabeth grew up in California. She was eager to embrace all life had, and left home at 17 to pursue love and fortune on her own. Although she accepted God’s mercy and grace at age 19, she never embraced a life-changing relationship with Him. Without any Christians in her life, she didn’t understand the importance of church, the message of the Bible, or the significance of how a life given to Christ should reflect His character. About five years later, she was surrounded by Christian fellowship, disciples, and teachers. The exciting journey of truly walking with God began. After completing her military commitment, Elizabeth moved to Boston to finish college. Once there, she married Pete, had two sons, and served side-by-side with her husband in all of the ways God opened doors (children’s ministry, radio and TV, event planning, Bible studies, etc.).

Family

Elizabeth is a widow with two adult sons and a beautiful daughter-in-law.

Education

B.S. in Management Information Systems

 

 

  • WAYS TO SUPPORT

    Elizabeth by making a financial donation using a Credit Card or by Direct Debit (ACH). 

Learn more about where this ministry happens

In colorful communities and along scenic highways, diverse people and landscapes span coast to coast

Iconic American traditions include Thanksgiving dinner, jazz music and the Super Bowl. They meld with eclectic examples of multicultural heritage: numerous local Chinatowns, family-owned taquerias and even cowboy boots, which originated among the nomadic Huns of eastern Europe.

The nation's landscape shows just as many contrasts — sandy beaches and rocky coastlines, open plains and vast deserts, rugged mountains and winding canyons, and abundant rivers and lakes.

The ideals of life and liberty that founded the United States have made the country one of the world's most prosperous, though not without dark chapters and present troubles. Crime, discrimination and ethics violations make regular headlines, and many people live below the national poverty level.

Families view education as essential to the pursuit of happiness, if not also a path to wealth and power for the most ambitious. Yet Americans also demonstrate a charitable spirit of generosity toward neighbors and nations in need.

Freedom of religion grants opportunity for all faiths, but Christianity holds particular influence in country's history and daily life.

Your participation with Missions Door supports ministry in the United States among college students, including many international students, in collaboration local churches. It also enables social outreach, church planting and leadership development in a wide variety of communities — among Native Americans and other cultural groups, and in urban and suburban settings where growing and changing demographics create new opportunities for the Gospel.

Cultural Snapshot

Aside from the Native American, Native Hawaiian and Native Alaskan populations, nearly all Americans and their ancestors immigrated to the United States.

Faith Fact

In a 2013 survey, 56% of Americans said that religion played a "very important role in their lives” — a larger number than any other wealthy nation.

Country Profile

Population: 320 million

Major Religions: 47% Protestant, 23% unaffiliated, 21% Catholic, 6% other

Languages: 82% English, 11% Spanish, various others

Literacy: 99%

Poverty: 16%

 

 

Ministry service area:
Campus Ambassadors

Ministry location:
Massachusetts, United States