If you are a parent of a Parkside student, you will know that last fall we welcomed to our pastoral team two familiar faces, Charles Cano and Jacob Wirka. Last summer, Charles and Jacob completed the Parkside Pastoral Residency, and are now overseeing our student ministries: Charles with high school, and Jacob with middle school.

From August of 2022 through June of 2023, Charles and Jacob observed and learned from the pastoral team and participated in a number of ministries at Parkside. With their backgrounds in teaching and serving youth, Charles with student ministry in Washington state, and Jacob as a Bible teacher in Nebraska, Parkside’s middle school and high school ministries were a natural fit. As with all of our residents, they sought discernment about where God would have them use their gifts, and what His next steps for them might be. Part of that process preceded the residency itself, as both Charles and Jacob found the residency while searching for internships to help them figure out if pastoral ministry was a good fit. “I was looking for opportunities to grow in ministry,” said Charles, “and found the posting for the Parkside residency.” Charles’ wife, Becca, was familiar with Truth For Life and Alistair’s teaching, and encouraged him to apply.

Charles is originally from southern California, and grew up in a believing family. His grandfather was a church planter. Although he struggled with his faith in his late teens and early twenties, the Lord continued to draw him, and he returned to his faith to serve and grow and study the Bible while living in Dallas. He moved to Washington to marry Becca, and together they got involved in a church and Charles became the youth pastor for two years before coming to Cleveland. The Canos now live in Reminderville, have been married for five and a half years, and have three young children: Hazel, Elloise, and Caleb. Outside of ministry, Charles shared, "I just really enjoy time with my family, being a friend to Becca, and raising our kids."

Jacob grew up in a small town in Nebraska with Bible-believing parents in a tight-knit church. He grew up knowing the Bible, but was challenged to take up his own faith by his youth pastor. He studied History Education in college and spent his summers as a camp counselor. He taught at a local Christian school for three years while taking seminary courses. In that time, he also filled the pulpit at his church, and decided that he was not ready to take on a church of his own, but wanted to figure out if he could. “I read the description of the residency, and it fit what I wanted. The hands-on training with youth prepared me for this work.” Jacob loves sports (mainly football), being outdoors, spending time with people, and traveling.

Together Jacob and Charles share a heart to connect youth to the body of Christ. “I’m excited,” said Jacob. “The impact people had on me in youth ministry, and when the Bible became real to me—that was God working through youth leaders.” They are taking up the important task of teaching and caring for Parkside's students.

Please join us in praying for Charles and Jacob as they minister to students and encourage them to take part in Parkside's student ministries, support families and leaders in discipling students, engage with local schools, and serve Christ and his church.