“Growing up in coastal North Carolina I was always in the water. I started body boarding at an early age, and when I grew out of that my parents bought me a surfboard. The ocean was my life from diapers to middle school. Surfing became everything, before school, after school all I did was surf. But around the beginning of my teenage years I started to feel a void in my heart. One that surfing and worldly desires couldn’t fill. Around that time my friend Judson invited me to the island church’s youth group, and God convicted my heart from day one. I was immersed in a community of rad guys who loved to surf and loved Jesus. This guy Jesus finally filled that void I felt, and if He hadn’t died for my sins then I wouldn’t be here right now. Through Him I’ve found a new love of life and surfing. Being called to open up the same door to Christ to the local surf community, like Judson did for me. I’ve become involved with ministries such as, the same youth group where I learned about Christ (Emma Anderson Memorial Chapel), and Young Life, that reaches out to local high school students. I’ve also been blessed to be the President of UNCW’s Surf Club. Being given outlets to lead by example and to see kids turn their lives around and live for Christ is the most rewarding thing I could ever imagine doing. I’m stoked to represent Jedidiah and the humanitarian groups they support that are helping out children and people in similar situations.”