Hello World!
My name is Derek Shatto. I am 26 years old and a Central PA native. Few things you should know about me:
1. Jesus Christ is the reason why I do anything at all!
2. I skateboard in order to tell the world about what Jesus has done in my life. I help run a skateboard ministry in Dillsburg, PA called The Underground Skatepark. We have a skatepark in the basement of our church as well as a mobile skatepark which we take to various music festivals; such as Creation Fest NE and NW. We’ve also had the opportunity to take our gift around the world to Ghana in West Africa and the Dominican Republic! Find out more about this ministry at www.undergroundskatepark.org 
3. I do a lot of spoken word poetry. One way that I love to connect to God and worship Him with is through writing. Simply kicking back during worship and just letting the Holy Spirit nudge me in some sort of direction to write either for something personal or something to speak into someone else’s life. It’s been a blessing to share these writings with others throughout the years and SOMEDAY I would LIKE to make a 30-Day devotional book out of a few of them.
4. I have a bachelor’s degree in Youth Ministry from Valley Forge Christian College. VFCC what what! I worked in a youth ministry for a year as a Jr. High Director and it was an amazing time: some of the raddest kids ever from that youth group (Fuel Generation!!).
5. Music surrounds me 24/7! I’m constantly immersing myself into new music of all genres, although lately I’ve been gravitating towards a lot more worship type music. You can get a good judge on my music taste by checking out my favorite ministry out there at the moment at www.comeandlive.com They are so amazing and every band on there is phenomenal! If you’d like to know specifically what I’m listening to whenever, or are trying to find something new/inspiring/encouraging to listen to: I will definitely point you in the right direction.
6. Finally, I crave adventure: hence one of many reasons why I’ve decided to join the World Race. I am not a fan of sitting in one place while time just slips right on by. I’m all about watching shows on Travel channel or Planet Earth: daydreaming about all the places in the world. But just seeing cool places isn’t what I’m after. I’ve learned that there are people everywhere, walking in completely different ways of life. I want to see what life is truly like for people around the world. I want to see the world: YES, BUT: I want to serve, help, and love the people of the world. Especially those who have been looked down upon, or forgotten about.
That’s just a little bit about me, but as the weeks go began to go by: Get ready to learn a whole lot more
Derek (D-Shat)
