Meet the TCK: Alex Wood

Meet Alex! Alex is a TCK who grew up in Mexico and dealt with the highs and lows of discovering his true identity in Christ. Read about his journey as a TCK and how his experiences have influenced the ministry he is in now!

What country did you spend the most time in? What country feels the most like home?

"Growing up, I spent the most time in Mexico. But now, the US feels very much like home."

What countries have you lived in?

Costa Rica, Mexico and the US.

Can you briefly share your TCK background (where you grew up, your parents' nationality, and where you currently live)?

"My family moved from North Carolina to Mexico when I was 5 years old. We spent 8 years there, as they worked with indigenous people groups in Central Mexico. I went to Liberty University for college, and have been working in student ministry in North Carolina for 4 years now! I live in Salisbury, NC with my wife Catherine, and I work at a local church here with students."

What's one TCK experience or memory that really defines your TCK journey?

"This one is tough - there's a million things that come to mind. One of the things that I didn't fully appreciate, but now can appreciate more fully, is our small house church worship. We would sing hymns in Spanish, with a group of 10 or so. This was such a sweet picture of the early church, and I cherish getting to see a glimpse of what being a Christian in the first century might have felt like."

How has being a TCK shaped the way you see identity, home or belonging?

"It has helped me see that having a consistent home doesn't have to determine my contentment! It has shown me that I can truly be content in Christ, no matter what home or city I am living in. But, at the same time, I have seen that it is a blessing to be rooted in a place for a long time!"

What has been the hardest part of growing up between cultures?

"I had a lot of identity struggles. In my early high school years, I was trying to figure out who I was. I was constantly trying to fit in and look like others. This impacted how I dressed, the music I listened to, and the way I talked. It took me until my senior year of high school to finally begin figuring out who I was without comparing myself to everyone else around me."

What has been the greatest gift or strength you've gained from being a TCK?

"I feel as though I now have the ability to relate and connect with all different types of people. This is such a blessing, as every church body has so many different people represented. Experiencing so much change growing up has made it where I can now be flexible and adaptable with the different personalities that build up my local church."

How do you stay connected to the cultures that shaped you?

"Food! I am blessed to be in area that has great authentic Mexican food, and I love meeting the owners and workers. Often I am able to build good connections with these wonderful people as I order 4 tacos al pastor (with onions and cilantro, please and thank you!)"

What advice would you give a fellow TCK?

"Cherish the local church. Read your Bible and think about what a healthy church is. And then, be relentless in finding one and becoming a member when you graduate high school. I would especially look for one that teaches the Bible expositionially, through the books of the Bible. (Use 9marks.com for some help in finding a good church!)"

If your life were a movie, book, or playlist, what would it be called?

"Seeking Satisfaction, Finding it in Christ (or, Learning to be a Goofball for God's Glory)"

Alex, serves as the Student Life Director at Life Church in North Carolina. If you are interested, feel free to check out some of his sermons on lifechurchnc.com!