What have you been up to lately?

Lol, so much… Skating with my son a lot actually which has been fun, mostly at Vans unless trying to get a trick. Finishing up bits and pieces for The Uprising Reality show. Sharing at “Generations” at The Sanctuary Church saturday nights. Working on shoe for NSS, and started riding for Truth Soul Armor clothing. Aside from that being a Deacon and spending lots of time with my family. I did surf at Churches yesterday also…

Big changes for you this year…Why did you choose to ride for reliance?

I had been at Birdhouse for years, and as far as them being supportive, they were. Skating was changing, and also my life had changed upon hearing the Gospel. I wanted to be doing as much ministry as I can and knowing that everything I am supporting is going towards that. Reliance has beens slowly growing and laying the roots for what the brand is. It isn’t about being number one, taking away from everyone else, its about bringing the Good News while skating and using what the Lord gave everyone.

any new projects coming up?

We start the new season of Uprising early 09, so that will be a focus of much of our time. We, (myself, Pastor Jay, Christian and producer Elliot) just go over ideas for each show. Whatever tours and such take place within Reliance I will be involved. As Truth Soul Armor opens up the skate avenue within their brand I am working on some projects over there. Everything is Faith based which at a time when my life once didn’t make sense, to where it is being led today, I am blessed.

How or why did you choose your latest graphics?

Its funny because Birdhouse had worked on some Bible based graphics for my next few boards. When I made the switch to Reliance, part of the way we worked it out was also allowing me to use the graphics as my first Reliance boards… I loved them all, best graphics to date personally. I really like the Africa graphic too, it changes it up a bit.

What do you say to people who cant do a boardslide on Jesus?

Well its like anything, people are always going to say something. But it isnt Jesus, it is a reminder to me and way for me to use something people will look at to point to Him. And truth be told, when that board gets scratched it is actually telling more of a story of how he was beaten and wounded for out trangressions. Jesus did get scratched and scarred and eventually killed for our sins. For the Religious folk though, and by that I mean almost as a Pharisee, many of those people stop walking in love because they are so eager to point out anything they can. When a kid goes to a skateshop, who may not really like going to church or have Faith, a parent who buys that board, can open up a door to relate skating to faith with their child. That car ride home can allow them to connect that way.

Any young riders you stoked on?

Man everyone, in the skate industry you see people who are good but you watch them come in and be all over everyone being nice, trying to get hooked up, and then, once they get established they are too cool. The same for filmers or photographers, they once scurried about a spot not wanting to offend the pro, hoping they would get the photo or clip, and once accomplished, it is a game. With the kids of Reliance and Siren there purpose is Christ and so those doors won’t be open the same way… It isnt a me, me, me game. Halelu-Jah, not Halelu-me… They rip and skate hard, and I am very for skating just being skating, not being controlled.

Have you been skating in so cal lately?

Yes, I have been home for a month or so and because so many spots are a bust, I skate skateparks more and more. Santa Ana park is amazing, Vans is fun and the La Skate Plaza.

What do you do on Saturdays?

Saturdays I spend time with my family early and then prepare for the message on saturday nights… I have normally got into this from tuesday to friday most nights reading, praying and go over things and then friday and saturday day it final preparation. saturday night Josh Harmony and the worhsip team play and I preach the message.

What are your thoughts on myspace?

Its great, when used for the right purpose. All things were created by Him for Him and so for myself I use it to minister to kids and keep them updated with whats going on with my life and those around me. Its also dangerous because kids have more and more things to look at online today that can shut them out of reality. They can get into a fight with the parents then spend 2 hrs on myspace being told they look cute by some trashy picture they took. The result is they feel good about something that is fleeting. But hey, we live in a fallen world.

What do you tell young skateboarders trying to come up?

Well coming up today is different than for myself. Today you have to be all over, and everywhere outdoing everyone, so in a way you have to be ruthless. If you are talking about a Christian kid they can often look at God as the way for them to accomplish there goal of becoming pro, but when looked at accuratley under Gods Will, they should use the gift they have for the right now this day to skate good and share with whoever they are around.
1 Peter 4:10 Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.

Strive for all Gods placed in your heart but if it involves outdoing people, taking advantage and personal gain it doesn’t line up with His Will. When we ask amiss for our own selfish desires, we wont recieve.
James 4:3 When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.

Also its not for man to direct his ways. Think about it, I quit Birdhouse and Adio to ride for Reliance and NSS shoes. I made NSS aware what I was about and they were the only shoe company to support that… Even now with switching to Truth Soul Armor I am enabled to ride for brands that support the Gospel. To the worlds eye, they may view Birdhouse and so Tony Hawk, or Adio and the years it had been in the skate world, and even now my clothing changes, and they may not understand, but for myself, and where I am in the Lord. Wanting to grow in the Word, wanting to spend time raising my kids as a man should, and wanting to our gifts for the Kingdom, it is making more sense. I don’t spend 3 weeks in some hotel the other side of the world so I can get a photo in the article, no instead we go to an event and preach the Gospel, we work on projects for the world to see but we don’t compromise. The worries of the world, we are not to worry about. Jesus is King
and He wouldnt be much of a King if He didnt provide for those in His Kingdom, He is Faithful…

Shout outs!

Jesus for being the author and finisher of our Faith. The name by which all men must be Saved. Everyone at Reliance for walking the walk and laying the roots these past few years. Jeff and team over at NSS for their support. Jeff and Beacham over at Truth for following the vision. Independent, Ninja, Rocket wheels, Furnace and Fender guitars.
Sanctuary Church HB, The Uprising, all those I have been in ministry with and all those out their in the field who are fighting the good fight. Galations 6:9. My wife and family for being who they are in Christ.
Too many to thank but I am grateful. God Bless! †