By grade eleven, I began to experience the preliminary symptoms of an existential crisis: What is the purpose of my life? Does God exist? Is there anything after death? These were the questions that haunted me during this pivotal time.

My story and my life is one big dependency on God rescuing me in my littleness. I expect that theme to continue on until I get to meet Him face to face, God willing.

Since that day, I have continued to live out of that statement. I started to live my life for Jesus and give more and more of my life to Him. Slowly, over the weeks, months and years to follow, my life became more of a reflection of God and His will for my life.

I find true joy in sharing the love, freedom, and restoration I have found through my personal relationship with Jesus, whether in my hometown or my ‘home away from home’, Ethiopia.

When I was young, my dad left his lucrative, secular advertising career to work in pro-life and evangelization ministry full time, so I was always involved in ministry somehow myself, from passing out donation envelopes in the back of churches, to helping on television commercial shoots, to years later managing email communication for our apostolate, Catholics Come Home.

My mother says that shortly after I was born, Our Lady of Perpetual Help appeared to her in a vision. She exhorted her to consecrate me to her by name and promised her that I would receive an abundance of blessings throughout my life. My mother imitated Mary in her fiat and said, “yes.”

What started out as a side project has become my full time job. After two years of production, Saints Alive has joined the incredible team at Hallow!

It’s my life goal to go to heaven and take as many people with me as possible…so join me! Let’s crowd HEAVEN!

I accepted the fact that it was Jesus who was there in the Eucharist. He became my friend, not my drill sergeant. I finally understood this Catholic thing as freeing, not restricting.

The urge to know Jesus was something I had never experienced before. It was overwhelming, all consuming, and full of glory. I wanted to love Him, no matter what it took. 

God has a unique call for each of us. He meets us where we’re at with love and desires to lead us on a great adventure of learning to love and be loved better. As soon as I opened my heart to him, the adventure began.

Shortly after that we formed our ministry (Agnus Dei Ministry) which within the year of forming we began to travel the country leading praise and worship. In the midst of all that, God called me deeper into the speaking ministry aspect (something that till this day I know is a grace from Him because I am by nature an introvert.

The little boy who wanted to stay as far away from Church as possible is now the man who can’t imagine his life without it or the Eucharist. It’s all God’s work—it’s all grace.

My wife never pushed Catholicism on me. She showed it. She went to Mass every Sunday without fail. I would gently ask questions and she would answer them. Slowly, her example and firmness in her faith led me to try and figure out what the heck Catholicism was all about.

Early on in our music career, we were focused only on success and trying to “make it” in the industry. Slowly, our music became more about doing something good with the gifts God gave us. We never thought we’d end up making music for God, but slowly, He worked on our hearts, softening them.

It was at Franciscan I not only discovered a way of worship which made my heart come alive, I met friends whom I still have today. Community centered on Christ is everything.

“When I was ordained as a Deacon, I never intended to go around the world to speak at conferences. God just opened doors and opportunities. And now I feel that God has called me to spending my every remaining time in this earth committed to promoting marriage and family life.”

My time in seminary eventually came to an end as I discerned out after 4 years. And so I chose to pursue more missionary opportunities in the states and abroad. I found my wife while on mission and our family is expanding.