To This Point

My performances began as simple demonstrations for Columbia College basketball camps. I would show the campers the ball handling drills and tricks I had been working on for about seven minutes each morning of a four-day camp. Then I added music and it became a show.

The performances really began to take shape during my junior year at Taylor University. I was the opening act of a one hour evangelical performance on a Spring Break mission trip to the Dominican Republic. I vividly remember the last performance (even the tiny girl that I pulled from the audience to spin two balls at once. It was a guaranteed failure turned thrilling success.) It was in the evening in an outdoor pavilion. There were plenty of kids in attendance with lots of energy which makes for a great show. I fed off the energy and hit every trick. I was only scheduled for five minutes but I was having too much fun and continued well past my allotted time. I don't think anyone minded too much though.

When we returned from the trip word spread that the show was worth seeing. I was asked to perform at Youth Conference which was truly an honor since that was the event at which I committed my life a year earlier. It was great to share my gift followed by my testimony.

I try to work in a message with each show. It would be easy to perform and have everyone leave talking about how awesome the tricks were or I was but it's more fulfilling, and longer lasting, to leave the kids motivated and inspired thinking they are awesome and can do great things.

During the spring of my senior the shows piled on. I performed again at Youth Conference and at a YC Benefit show. That was easily my worst show ever! I failed on a trick and couldn't let it go. I tried it again and again and again. Six times before I finally succeeded. The message stuck though. Never give up.

That spring I also performed for sixth graders visiting campus and a church youth ministry in Alexandria, Ind. The church show was my first show where I was sought after from an outside group. I felt truly blessed to share with those kids and shared a meaningful story about the parable of the talents.

And that was the start of my show. It was at the YC Benefit Show where a fellow performer encouraged me to "spin that rock. Spin it for the Lord." That's what I'm trying to do. Wherever the opportunities arise, I'm spinnin' for the Lord.