COME SKATE WITH THE ROCK
VISIONARY: Christina Jenkins
In the summer of 2003 God placed a vision on my heart and in my mind.
The vision- a huge building filled with youth in full out, uninhibited worship to God. Arms rose to heaven praising God, a Christian band and skateboarders. The vision centered on skateboarding.
God would slowly begin, over the next several years to reveal “Kairos” moments in my life that He had used to prepare me to join Him in this upcoming epic adventure. (Please read “The Unusual Suspect” by Stephan Baldwin for definition of Kairos)
I ran from what God showed me for almost a year. I would drive by the outdoor skate park and feel a tug at my heart, but I ignored it. The thoughts God put in my mind I pushed away, until the spring of 2004. I had the privilege of chaperoning some youth to YC2004 and God was about to rock my world. This amazing conference had 16,000 crazy, uninhibited youth in attendance.
Daily I would wake up thinking about skateboarding. My heart burned for these youth whom I didn’t even know and I began praying for them. It was as if God had removed something from my
Gang @ First Demo
eyes. I had not taken notice of these skate youth before and now I was seeing them everywhere!
Several months later, I stumbled (hmmm) upon a group on the internet called “Livin It”. They were a hard core Christian group of extreme athletes and actor Stephan Baldwin. I believed then
that God could bring Stephan Baldwin and these extreme skaters to Yellowknife.
In winter of 2007 I received an email through Livin’ It about a group called King of Kings Skateboarding Ministry and their “Revolution Tour”. I was convicted to contact them and see if they would bring their tour to YK, God not letting it rest until I did. By this time my spirit had been quietly waiting on God to reveal his appointed time for the vision he had showed me four years earlier, wondering if it would really ever happen. I wrote a simple letter to KKSM with a rather nonchalant attitude saying, “God if you want KKSM to come you will have to do the convincing. Remember what you showed me, remember your promises O’ Lord, remember the youth, bring it to pass. I will write the letter but this is your baby!”
In April 2007, after much work and prayer, the Side Door hosted the King of Kings “Revolution Tour”. A beautiful friendship ensued after that weekend. For me, an instant love and bond for this ministry and the young men of God, and a feeling of family that can only be found in the Kingdom of God. The results of that weekend were the birthing of “The Rock Skateboard Ministry”!
Oh Lord God Almighty, who is there like you? You are mighty O Lord, and your faithfulness surrounds you! Psalms 89:8
SIDEDOOR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR : Gary Hubert
My name is Garry Hubert I am the executive director of the SideDoor youth ministry and have been for over three years I have lived in the north for over 25 years and have a real passion for God an our youth I am also very proud to be be part of this great movement that the rock skateboard ministries is offering our youth here in the North
GOD BLESS
SIDEDOOR PROGRAM COORDINATOR: Spensor Heslep
I am 26 years old and have lived in Yellowknife all my life. I ran away from home when I was fifteen to sell drugs full time and live a “high life.” By the time I was nineteen I had been to jail and was a Lieutenant in a Vietnamese crime ring. While in the middle of a crossroad of life I had an amazing encounter with the presence of God. For the first time ever I felt truly loved and I knew that God was real, don’t ask me how, I just knew!! After that, things started to happen that where beyond coincidence, I watched a man get instantly healed by the power of God, and met people that have impacted my life in powerful ways. Because of the awesome power of Jesus Christ working in my life, I’ve gone from dealing dope to giving hope.
I started at the SideDoor in 2005 and moved up to Program Coordinator in 2006. I went away to school for most of 2007. When I returned, the door was opened for me to take back my old job and I’ve been here ever since. I am married to an amazing woman named Cassandra. My favorite pass times include fishing and quiet relaxing times away from the lime light and action. I am passionate about God, my wife, my family and my work.
THEROCK COMMITTEE:
Randy Straker:
I have been involved in all sorts of youth programs for many years, working with youth of all ages. I have worked with younger kids through Kids Church, hosted teen nights in my home as well as helped organize youth retreats to our cabin as well as trips to Edmonton for youth conventions. I am excited to be part of theRock Skate Ministry. 2007 was a tremendous first year and I am excited to see what 2008 brings our way. I believe that we need this program to provide an environment where anyone can show up to skate no matter what their ability, without any pressures.
I proved in 2007 that I am not a skater (at least not in the half pipe) but I do enjoy the atmosphere that we were able to create and to have the chance to meet the youth of our city. I’ll be cruzin the floor again this year (no ramps for now) so drop in for a skate, to watch, or even just to say hey.
Steve Freake:
Awesome people. Great mission. Amazing Graphics. I was hooked from the start. What an incredible opportunity! The Rock Skateboard Ministry has become a passion of mine and as a graphic designer I am thrilled to be a part of this great cause to support the youth of Yellowknife. We need this program. I believe we can create a great movement here and I’m sure that we will build a strong program to ensure not only the survival of the ministry but also the survival of our youth. It’s a great example for my kids to follow and I hope that the message of The Rock spreads to everyone. See you out there.
Benji Straker:
I’m excited to be part of The Rock Skateboard Ministry again this season. Although I haven’t skated much in a few years, I grew up skateboarding and still have a passion for the lifestyle of the sport and the skaters involved. I decided to be a part of The Rock Skateboard Ministry because I enjoy connecting with the youth and I really believe that Yellowknife needs this program. I also believe that the ministry can grow beyond our expectations. Another reason I’m committed to The Rock is because I have two little ones that are starting to skate. I’d like to see the program evolve so they have some great opportunities when they’re older. The last two years have been a success and I know that with the experience gained, I can help make 2009 even better. I’m excited to meet all of you youth and encourage you to come out and meet other skaters and of course me. Don’t be shy to come up and say hi!
Craig Thomas:
God always seems to place you in the right spot at the right time where there are opportunities to serve Him, you just have to see it and embrace it for His glory. The opportunity came when my wife Cheryl directed our family to the Church of Christ. There, He placed our family right next to Christina Jenkins who’s passion and vision for a Skateboard Ministry in Yellowknife was just a seed being watered from a vision that God shared with her some four years ago. Our youngest son Taylor, a passionate skater, came alive with a thirst to explore a new spiritual adventure with his new church and new ministry and most importantly God. The spring and summer of 2007 proved to be a blessing from God as our entire family has grown to be very involved with this ministry giving us a common thread with each other and with God. And after an exciting summer sharing our home and life with two KKSM skaters Chris and Mike, Taylor was baptised giving his life over to Christ. An amazing experience for a father to watch. We have a new family at the Church of Christ, with TheRock Skateboard Ministry and the SideDoor Youth Centre. The City is coming alive with this passion to serve the youth who struggle to make decisions about things that the world throws at them. TheRock will not be moved by what the world hammers it with.
God Bless and skate hard for Him!
SKATER REPS:
TaylorThomas:
Peyton Straker:
HI, my name’s Peyton and you can call me later if you wish. Just kidding, only if your name’s Matt Malmsten… Well, I love Chris, I love mike, I love music, and I love good food. I’m 15 years old and at one point was probably just as confused if not more than every kid in the English speaking world. Boys were cute, and they thought I was cute too… or so they said. I got used, and I used them. I would do stupid things to make myself feel better, everything from talking smack, to actually smacking people. I never got cooler, and I never felt better about myself. I only ever felt worse. There was guilt, there was crying, and there was praying … lots of it. If it weren’t for The Rock, I don’t know where I would be today. I’m glad that I don’t know, and I’m glad I changed my ways.
AMEN.
Love,
Peyton.