Life was challenging. While my mom worked hard to provide for her children, the men in our lives abused not only her, but us. I was an angry kid and lashed out -- being suspended from almost every school I attended. From my youth, it was clear that I influenced those around me, to the degree I became one of the founding members of a gang in Colorado Springs. Life became even more volatile.

As the years went on, I found myself becoming more and more like the men who had hurt me in my life. I knew that if I didn't stop, I would end up just like them. I knew there had to be a better way. I knew I had to change.

I had heard about Jesus growing up, and I decided to ask my mom to take me to church. I fully gave my life to the Lord when I was 16 and have never looked back. I passionately pulled as many of my friends from the gang into the church as possible -- and to this day, I still have a heart to reach the guys I ran with in the streets.

I met my wife on the worship team of the young adults group at Church For All Nations, and my life changed even more. We come from different backgrounds, and we found we make each other stronger. We learn from each other. We experience new things together, we have walked through really difficult health challenges together, and to this day, we encourage each other to dream big.

Until recently, I worked for an international non-profit, World Challenge, for 8 years, doing outreach, evangelism, discipleship, community development, supporting other non-profits with grants, and planning conferences and events. I learned a lot in my time there and I'm grateful.

One thing that has been clear to me over the course of my life, is the incredible favor and anointing God has given me to connect with people. I'm not sure I would have been able to articulate that until recent years, when people started bringing up my expansive connections over Colorado Springs and the nation.

I know that I am called to be a light to this world. I know that my story and testimony will encourage many. I believe I am called to use the gifts God has given me to impact the world. I live to connect people to each other, their purpose, and bring the hope of Jesus everywhere I go.

I was born in Southeast Washington DC. When I was 5 months old, my dad went to prison for attempted murder. My mom raised my brother and I, doing the best she could to provide for us. Several years later, she married a man in the military and we moved to Colorado Springs.

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