We love celebrating followers of Jesus that are creatively impacting the world. Today we highlight three young men that have been doing just that, all before finishing high school.

These guys are compelled by their relationship with Jesus to offer their talents and gifts to the world. They are doing the hard work of creating art, growing in their craft, and starting companies. They are artists and entrepreneurs, and they aren’t waiting around for the “real world” to pursue their God-given dreams.

They inspire and challenge me, and I hope their example will inspire you too. Whether you’re 16 or 60, it’s never too late to get serious about following your God-given dream.

PRESTON ATTEBERY
My name is Preston Attebery. For me, my passion for graphic design started when I was in elementary school playing around with shapes in Microsoft Word. I eventually graduated to Adobe Illustrator while doing a summer internship in England a few years ago. Not long after that, I began using Instagram as a platform to share my designs. This led to freelance designing for several companies, where I actually started making money doing what I love.

I soon made enough money to kickstarter my new t-shirt brand, Indien Apparel. I noticed a real need in our culture for acceptance and approval, and I wanted to create a brand that everyone could be a part of. No matter who you are, your race, or your religion, Indien Apparel is something anyone can take part of.

KYLE SKLENAR

Hey, I’m Kyle Sklenar and I just graduated from high school. I have a heart for telling stories and a desire to see the film industry changed for the better. In the fall of 2011, I made a video for a friend that was highly recognized by a few major corporations. After seeing my work take off, I really understood that this is where the Lord wants me. He gave me a set of skills for a reason, so I need to pursue it, whatever the outcome.

Since then, I have started a production company, though I just do business under my own name (because it was too stressful to find a good company name). I now do everything from music videos to weddings to corporate interviews. If you would like to know more about me and what I do, you can go to my website.

MICHAEL SHAW

My name is Michael Shaw, I’m a recent high school graduate, and I’ve always loved stories. This passion fueled my desire to write a book. At first I just thought it’d be cool to write an intriguing novel. But after the general idea for the plot was in my head, my book “Jack in the Box” was no longer just a story to enjoy, but a message I wanted to be heard. It became a manifestation of what God has taught me through others: the value of life, and the necessity of virtue.

Finishing this book has given me confidence for what God can do in the future. One thing I’ve gleaned from this project is to be someone who pursues goals. I wanted to write a book, and so I just did it. I didn’t sit back and say “

I’m just a high-schooler.” I started writing it and finished what I started. Now I believe this mindset will be crucial to keep in the future.

If you are going to live the most full life, there are practical things to be done. Here’s one…

 Remind yourself that you’re small everyday.

 This might sound self-defeating, but it’s not at all. Being small doesn’t mean insignificant, it just means living in the reality that you are one tiny part of a much greater whole.

So how do you remind yourself that you’re small? Continue Reading…

In the book of Romans, Paul states, “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.”

This call to “change the way you think” happens with our active choice to surrender to the wisdom and presence of the Holy Spirit. He is the one that enables us to live with a new perspective.

To capture the active choice we have in the matter, consider it like this. Every new morning that God wakes us up, the first thing we need to do is reach over to our nightstand and put on our hypothetical glasses. If you actually wear real glasses you have a slight advantage. For those with 20-20 vision, you can either use your imagination or go buy some fake, hipster glasses. I like the hipster option myself. Continue Reading…

Several months ago, I wrote a post entitled “The Problem with a God-given Dream.” To make a long story short, it went viral, with over 3 million views the first week. Just kidding. That’s not even close to true.

However, it did resonate with a number of readers, and spurred on some great conversation. My basic premise was simple.

“No matter how certain you are that God inspired your dream, you have to hand it back to him. Without this kind of surrender, our dream becomes the thing we hope and long for, while God slips to the background.”

In today’s part 2, the question to answer is “So what comes after the surrender of our dream?” For this, I’m assuming you’ve wrestled with your own selfish ambitions and begun to delight in God rather than delighting in your dream. (which is a huge assumption!)

So what’s next?

3 things, and lucky for you, they all start with the letter “P” Continue Reading…

Today I have the honor of sharing some thoughts on the Wayfarer blog. Here is the start of the post, and if interested, be sure to check out the full post at Wayfarer here  

College students are the most experiential people on the planet, which reflects their own developmental stage of life. They fill the streets for political demonstrations, spark racy debates, travel from hostel to hostel, and rush the field to tear down goal posts.

In regards to the church, it should be no surprise that many of the most passionate Christians are college students. The energy they contribute to the faith community is amazing. They often cry out for revival, and they experience God’s presence and work in powerful ways as they seek Him.

This last January, there was a record crowd of over 50,000 college students packed into the Georgia Dome at the Passion Conference to lift up the name of Jesus together. Throughout this conference, various Christian leaders addressed these young adults, inspiring them to follow Jesus and change the world.

On a much smaller scale, we as youth pastors do the same thing at our churches. We cast big vision for our students, proclaiming that they will change the world in Jesus’ name. We say things like, “Your generation is going to be different.” “God is doing something in your generation.” “Revival is going to come through your generation!”

There’s nothing wrong with these declarations. We speak in these ways to our young people all the time, and we truly believe it. However, I do wonder if sometimes we are so busy praising the current students for how great they “will be” that we forget to look at the actual impact of those who have gone before them…continue to full post

Over the last year, I’m struck by the number of athletes that are making headlines both for their sporting careers, and their Christian devotion.

There are the obvious ones, like NFL’s Tim Tebow and NBA’s Jeremy Lin, but many others have emerged more recently.

Bubba Watson, a devoted follower of Jesus, won the PGA’s most prestigious tournament, the Masters, last year in Atlanta.

Pro baseball’s knuckle-ball pitcher R.A. Dickey gives credit to Christian faith for saving his marriage and transforming his life. He also won the National league Cy Young award last year, the highest award given to a pitcher.

Just weeks ago, after Louisville beat Michigan to claim the NCAA men’s basketball championship, we listened to starting point guard Peyton Siva Jr. take his few seconds on camera to share his gratitude to Jesus Christ.

Then, just yesterday I came across an article about the spiritual dynamic of the NBA’s Golden State Warriors. Led by coach Mark Jackson (who also pastors a church), the team has a chemistry a passion that moves beyond just winning games. A core number of teammates are committed to studying the Bible, praying together and walking with Jesus.

None of these athletes are perfect, and I have a hunch they’d be the first ones to admit it. When you’re a professional athlete, every mistake is under the microscope of scrutiny. They will surely make them, just like us all. However, they are choosing to follow God in careers so easily characterized by inflated egos and the desire for fame.

Revival in sports? That’s a tough question, especially since the word “revival” means so many different things to different people.

Perhaps a better word for it is a Renaissance. Several Christian leaders such as authors Os Guinness and Johnny Enlow have spoken about a Christian Renaissance in our culture today.

Whether it’s the world of sports, the marketplace, or the entertainment industry, I believe we are beginning to see this renewed passion for Jesus unfold. Specifically, I’m grateful for the athletes at all levels that are shining for God and paving the way. #LiveFully

This is going to be short and sweet. Just three different albums that demonstrate high level of creativity and deeply authentic worship. They are all unique, and well worth the investment. #LiveFully

1. Rend Collective – “Campfire”

2. Will Reagan & United Pursuit Band – “Endless Days”

3. Hillsong United – “Zion”