Allow me to take you on a little journey. You’ve learned by now that I am joining the World Race in January, BUT…it wasn’t always my dream to do missions…let me take you back just a few years ago…
Back in 2010, I had just graduated with second highest honors from Valley Forge Christian College and got a job, fresh out the gate, at the church which I got saved in. It was pretty surreal that I was able to find such an amazing job right away as the Assistant Youth Director. I oversaw the Jr. High Ministry in the church and helped out with the Sr. High ministry from time to time as well. I couldn’t have asked for more. Life was looking very good at this point: decent job, surrounded by church 24/7, was able to pay my college loans back, & I had health insurance! Life was good.
Just over a year later, the unthinkable happened. Something that would shake everything up. It was a normal day where I was working on a new sermon series that I was pretty psyched on when I received a phone call. I was called to a meeting with some of the head pastors where they dropped some unfortunate news on me. “The church budget isn’t what it used to be…we’re gonna have to let you go.” Tough words to hear. Immediately so many thoughts began swirling through my head: “am I not good enough? What could I have done differently? Am I not wanted here?” I felt like I had just fallen on my face…
Fast Forward a little bit…
Back in March this year, I went to a Storyline Conference, led by Donald Miller, in San Diego. There’s an idea I learned about there called “Redeeming your negative turns”. What this means is, taking a look at moments in your life that may have been “crippling” or simply “negative” and trying to see what good God had done through this unfortunate event. One of my most difficult to get over “negative turns” was losing my job. BUT now I see what God was able to do through it. If I still had my job there, what happened next, may not have happened…
Back to the story!
At this time, the ministry that I am a part of (The Underground Skatepark) got invited to join a missions trip to Ghana, West Africa. We had been asked by the heads of the Creation Music Festival after we had served the festival by running our skatepark there for the past 3 years. They liked how we did things and wanted us to do the same at a music festival they would be on in Ghana! When I was approached about joining this trip, I could only think one thing…
I…HAD…NO…DESIRE…AT…ALL…WHATSOEVER…TO…DO…MISSIONS…
Our fearless leader of the skatepark, Dave Brouse, encouraged me to begin to sit down and pray about this opportunity. Like I said, up til this point, I’ve never thought twice about missions. I was perfectly comfortable here in Central PA, just doing skateboard ministry in the states. But one awesome thing about God is:
If He wants you to do something…He WILL make it happen
And not only that, but:
He will make His desire YOUR desire as well
After praying and handing it all over to God, He began to change my heart and make me so eager for what was to come. I panicked about fundraising and God provided! I’m still blown away by how God made it all came into happening and am forever grateful for all those who helped me.
What happened next…Check the vimeo link at the top of the page and see!!! (see video)
In Ghana, I saw the reality of the daily life that others lead on the other side of the world. I saw “houses” that were only as big as my bedroom (which is super small!) which were home to 11 young men. I saw individuals brushing their teeth and bathing in run off water on the sides of street (also where people tend to “do their business”. For one, the experience made me extremely thankful for everything I have. Two, I learned (through my amazing friends at a drum shop) I don’t need the latest gadgets, trends, accessories, etc. in order to be happy. Most of the individuals we met in the church didn’t have hardly anything, but whatever they had, they would offer it up to the Lord! I want that! To be so willing to give without thinking twice about it, because whatever we have, it already belongs to God anyway!
I’ll forever have fond memories of Ghana. One in particular regarding a group of Rastafarian guys we met in a market place who ran a drum shop. Throughout the week, we consistently visited them and shared Jesus with them. Everyday, there was a new “highlight” with them. From different ways we would bless them with personal items of ours, to them receiving Jesus, baptizing them in the ocean on the last day, and finally seeing a church get set up in their drum shop!
Jonathan
Jonathan was a 17 year old who lived about 2 to 3 hours away from where our team was stationed at for a music festival in Accra, Ghana. The day prior to this festival, I spoke on a TV program about the festival and how we’ll be skateboarding. The man interviewing me asked how exactly I use my skateboard to talk about the Gospel and what the Gospel means to me. So I shared my heart with him and told him, on Live TV, who Jesus is to me and what He’s done in m life. I found out afterwards that this TV program was basically the equivalent of Sportscenter in America, to Ghana. Jonathan showed up Day 1 of the festival after we were done skating our demos. He explained to me that he didn’t come to see me skate. I was confused, so he told me, “I saw you on the television, and you talked about this man Jesus like he was your best friend. I want you to tell me about Jesus.” 
I started to share with Jonathan that whole gospel story and he strongly contemplated every word I was sharing. Finally, before he had to leave, I asked him, “Do you want to receive Jesus in your life?” His eyes lit right up and said, “Yes! Yes! Absolutely!” We prayed and he made the walk 2 hours back home with a new skip in his step. HE CAME BACK the 3rd day of the festival with his brother and sister so THEY could hear about Jesus! I gave him 2 bibles so they could all read and grow together, as well as a skateboard. Before he left that last day, he said to me, “Mr. Shatto! I know if I do not see you again, I KNOW I will see you in Heaven my friend”.
Talk about a hunger for God! Simply hearing about Jesus, and he WALKS more than 2 hours to hear about this man, Jesus.
This is why I want to do what I do. To see even one life change. To see someone who is struggling, have new life brought into them. This trip started everything for me!
After Africa, it was traveling to the West Coast. After the West Coast, it was the Dominican Republic. But throughout doing missions, I’ve still felt like I’ve been playing things very safe. I have felt stuck in the same place lately.
Then I heard about the World Race….
More than anything, I want people to know Jesus. Jesus Christ has changed my life from being a depressed kid, to someone with a whole new outlook on life. I want to serve those who cannot serve themselves. I want to see life from someone else’s perspective. I want to see the world. And finally, I want to be brought to a whole new place with God where I learn to rely on Him for all I need. I can’t raise $15,500 on my own: but God will provide. I can’t make it 11 months in places I’ve never been before: but God will provide. He is my strength, He is my refuge, and He is sending me on this new journey that I would LOVE if YOU would like to partner with me!
