Skater Mike Stinekamp is one of many skaters who use their talents to glorify God and to minister to other young people. Skaters in the past have been thought of as losers who just goof off. But now with so many amazing talents skaters are now being seen as athletes. Skateboarders who have great talents are not only respected but are getting product endorsements. Mike is not only an awesome skater but a faithful believer in Jesus Christ. He is able to reach many young people through his gifts and bring them the gospel message. Tim is on a busy schedule right now but was gracious to sit and take a moment to answer a few interview questions for us.

Were you brought up in a Christian home?

I was brought up in a Christian home with very supportive parents but they never really forced anything on me, and the first church I really became a part of I started going by me.

How and when did you come to faith personally?

I always believed in God growing up but never really had a relationship with Him until I was in my sophomore year of High School. I knew then that I needed a real relationship with Him rather than just believing.

What person in The Bible would you say you most related to?

I guess I would say Peter because He had so much faith that He followed Jesus blindly and completely trusted in where He was taking Him, and I feel like that’s a trait that I have really been trying to apply in my life. Because being a skateboarder and being in the ministry there’s not a whole lot of assurance of where finances or support is going to come from so you have to have faith like Peter to trust in the Lord to supply.

What is your life scripture?

One Scripture that has always stood out to me is John 15:5 where it’s talking about Jesus being the vine and us being the branches. This scripture has been speaking to me lately because in our lives we always try and do things on our own and try and live our lives out of our own will and wants and desires, but Jesus says apart from me you can do nothing, so if we live by that verse and really abide in Christ we can bear much fruit.

Who is Jesus to you?

Jesus to me is first a great role model and a great basis to live my life by, but most importantly He is the only way to Salvation and to Heaven and without acknowledging Him as the true Messiah you can’t really know God.

When did you start skating?

I started skating when I was about 13; my older sister actually taught me how to ride for my first time.