I am originally from Gulf Shores, Alabama. I entered a program called Youth-Reach Houston as a resident in July of 2003. At that time I was a gang member and a drug addict. At Youth-Reach I encountered God's grace and love for me for the first time. I burned my rag which was a symbol of my status in the gang on the basketball court at Youth-Reach. From that moment on it was as if God took complete control. I had always wanted to be a famous rapper but God showed me that He had bigger plans for my life and began to give me a heart for the "throwaways" of society.

People like me.

God gets every bit of the glory because I know that there's not even a slight possibility that I could have turned things around on my own. God took a kid with no motivation for anything other than rapping and doing drugs, and he changed my views on life, gave me a new life and purpose, and used everything the enemy meant for evil for His good.

I graduated from the Youth-Reach program in August of 2004 and wanted to get further ministry training. I went to a discipleship school called Master's Commission. There are many Master's Commissions around the world, but I went to one in Lafayette, Louisiana.

Master's Commission is an intensive program which trains you in many areas of ministry, but focuses on two main points: servanthood and relationships. The foundation that was laid for me at Youth-Reach Houston was built on at Master's and at the end of my schooling there I felt led to return to Youth-Reach...this time as a counselor.

I served at Youth-Reach Houston for just over three years and I still feel blessed to have been a part of so many young mens lives.

Now, with Young Hope, I am still able to be a part of the lives of the residents at Youth-Reach, while also being able to serve in several other areas of ministry. I still have a passion for the "throwaways" of society and I know that in some form or fashion the rest of my life will be devoted to helping them. However, the shape and way that is done changes all the time and I believe this is simply the next step in learning to help "the least of these" as Jesus said. I am focused on following God wherever He leads me and bringing His love into whatever situation He puts me in.