Azusa Pacific University fosters a Christ-centered foundation that continues to shape graduates long after they leave campus, as seen in alumni like Christian Granadosin ’22, who now co-runs his family business, Strides of Faith. His leadership and commitment to serving others reflect the values cultivated during his time at APU. Alumni like Granadosin embody the university’s mission, demonstrating how faith and vocation can work together to impact their communities for God’s glory.
Currently based in Hawaii and California to help promote Strides of Faith, the Granadosin family’s faith-inspired apparel brand at APU’s Campus Store, Granadosin was originally born in Oahu. Granadosin’s faith largely influenced his life, leading him to attend APU. “I applied to a few state schools, but APU was the only faith-based school on my list,” said Granadosin. “God is everything to me, which is why I decided to apply.”
Granadosin entered APU as an engineering student, but later switched his major to graphic design. “I quickly realized engineering wasn’t my calling because math wasn’t my strength. I shifted into design because of my passion for apparel and sneaker culture, hoping to work with brands like Nike or Adidas. After a semester, I still felt unsure and explored psychology, drawn to how people interact with technology and user experience,” said Granadosin. “Feeling lost as a freshman, I spent time praying for direction and ultimately returned to graphic design, choosing to commit to the gifts and interests God had already placed in me.” One piece of advice Granadosin frequently reflects on as he helps build Strides of Faith comes from professor Terry Dobson, MFA. “Terry consistently reminded us that people do not just buy products, they buy stories. Whatever we create should be something we can meaningfully narrate while also visually crafting moments that leave lasting memories,” said Granadosin. “A design may look impressive, but what lasts is how it makes people feel and the meaning it carries. That perspective stays with me daily, shaping how I approach design and how I strive to live by building genuine relationships, serving others well, and creating work that reflects lasting value.”
Besides promoting Strides of Faith, Granadosin also serves at Mountain Mike’s Pizza as a graphic designer and project manager. “I love Mountain Mike's Pizza. They continue to grow my tool belt as a designer. I get to apply all the things that I learned in college in the professional field,” said Granadosin. “I handle design for our local restaurant marketing, essentially producing print and digital graphics for our franchisee system. I also create numerous sports partnership graphics for our sports partners, like the San Francisco 49ers, Sacramento Kings, and the LA Angels.”
Strides of Faith began in 2015 when Granadosin’s mother, May Angela, was inspired to create a brand to glorify God. “She knew that she wanted to share God's word with people and to point them towards Jesus, but she didn't know which medium this would unfold through,” said Granadosin. “We were an active family, so we started to create our own t-shirts with scripture on them, and we’ve been doing that ever since.”
The design behind Strides of Faith stems from 1 Corinthians 9:26, which encourages a life lived with purpose. During his time at APU. Granadosin wasn’t sure whether he wanted to pursue a career in graphic design. He had recently gotten into running, during which he was able to have a conversation with the Lord. He reflected on how the Lord works through seasons of life, and this inspired the new design for Strides of Faith. “It's all about community and bringing people together under love and hoping people will continue to be that light to other people's darkness, just like how Jesus was,” said Granadosin.
Granadosin’s goal is to expand Strides of Faith in the near future. “For me personally, the hope is to one day lead this work full-time and step into the responsibility of being my own boss, since it is deeply connected to what I am passionate about,” said Granadosin. “As a brand and as a family, the vision is to open a storefront within the next ten years, ideally somewhere in California, Colorado, or wherever the Lord may lead us. It would include a small café and a welcoming environment where people can gather, enjoy coffee, explore the merchandise, and engage in meaningful conversation. We also want to continue to be a family-run business and a ministry in motion that is rooted in the desire to encourage others to walk boldly in faith.”
Granadosin encourages undergraduate students to get involved in life on campus. “God
is faithful and does not place anyone in situations beyond what they can grow through,”
he said.
As Granadosin continues to grow both professionally and spiritually, his journey reflects the lasting impact of an APU education rooted in faith and purpose. Through his work with Strides of Faith and his commitment to community, he seeks to use his gifts to serve others and point people toward hope. His story stands as a reminder that when faith and calling are pursued together, they can leave a meaningful and lasting influence.