I was born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri in a bi-racial family. When I was 8 years old, my mom told me that Jesus Christ died for me and rose again and that if I believed I would go to Heaven. I decided to put my faith in Jesus and was baptized the same year. I grew up in a neighborhood, just down the street from Ferguson, Missouri, where racial tension resurfaced in 2015 and where you were told you had two options in life: get involved in gangs or become a professional athlete. I decided I wanted to be a pro and ended up playing football and basketball my entire childhood and teenage years. I saw firsthand the effects of racism and hatred and the desperate need for the love of Christ in our world. My parents are Willie and Pamela and I have 6 siblings: Amanda, Keisha, Willie Jr., Josh, Ravionna, and Tamika. I also have 8 beautiful nieces and nephews: V’ron, Sage, Brian, Brianna, Lillie, LJ, Lia, and Journie. I love my family and being an uncle, it brings me so much joy. I lived in Springfield, Illinois for 1 year and Orange County, California for 2 and ½ years playing college basketball. I moved to Colorado on June 25, 2020 after a lot of deep consideration, prayer, and after a lot of help from Pastor Rick and his family to make it happen; without them I would have never had this opportunity. I have always had a lifelong dream to play basketball at the next level, as well as helping others achieve their dreams. I feel beyond blessed to work in Sports Ministry at Grace Church, where I can use my passion for sports to help connect others in our church and in the community and most importantly, lead others to Christ through a non-threatening and fun environment. I continue to learn every day that the most important thing in life is honoring God with everything I do and keeping Him at the center, then the rest inevitably seems to fall into place with many blessings along the way.

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What is your favorite season & why?

Summer because I enjoy the warm weather and hanging outside, swimming, and playing sports.

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What or who inspires you most?

My mother because she was a single mother of 6 kids and has always been such a hard worker my entire life. She has always put her kids and family before herself and made sure we had everything we needed growing up.

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When did you first come to Grace?

I tuned in online to Grace Church after meeting Brooklyn and the rest of the Long Family on Laguna Beach in June 2019 and first physically came to Grace in July 2019 when coming out to visit.

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A place you would like to visit?

Germany because my grandpa was German and I took 2 years of German in High School.

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What is your favorite book?

Kingdom Man by Tony Evans