-EMj-

elijah

If you wouldve asked me when I was about nine if I thought someday a skateboard would take me around the world, earn me a living and make me lots of great friends I wouldve smiled, shook my head no and proceeded to tell you all there is to know about sharks and whales. I just knew one day I would become a world famous marine biologist and the notion of becoming a professional skateboarder was completely nonexistent in my aquatic life information crammed kid brain. Ive always had a fascination with things with wheels like cars, bikes and scooters what kid doesnt but those all faded from my interest once I discovered skating.I lived in an upstairs apartment near Ft Worth Texas and under me lived a family whose sons rode bikes. They were always making ramps to ride and kids from all over would come to watch and ride. One day a kid showed up with a skateboard and began skating the ramp. He was an older kid, about the same complexion as me. He told me his name was Dameon and that he was a skater. Id never seen a skater or a skateboard before and I was completely mesmerized! He showed me a few tricks he even let me ride his board and then skated off never to be seen again. Its been about twenty years since that day and I still havent forgotten it and never will. Im convinced that God brings people and things into our lives for reason, a season and sometimes for a lifetime. He brought Dameon into my life for a reason and a brief season but he brought skating into my life for a lifetime. God gives everyone gifts and talents, passions and desires. Riding a board is just one of my gifts and talents that I use to share my passion for God and life with people all over the world!I realized that a skateboarding career was something I wanted to pursue when I was around eighteen years old. I saw skating as a platform which was given to me to enjoy and to share the love of Christ with people. Though my family and friends didnt quite see it that way, I did. I didnt know what a career in skateboarding or a skateboard ministry would look like or what it would take to get there, but God did. Trust in the Lord with all your heart and dont lean on your own understanding but in all your ways acknowledge the Lord and He will direct your path. Years ago I read those words from Proverbs 3:5-6. They resonated with me then, and they resonate with me today. They are for sure my favorite bible verses, and the verses that tell the story of my life. If I wasnt working part-time at some pizza place, I was skating. Anytime there was some sort of a skateboard gathering, I was there. If a famous team was performing a demonstration at the local park, I was there watching. If a contest was taking place, I was there competing. If there was a big session with all the local skaters, I was in the middle skating and filming! Being exposed to those sorts of things made it easy for me to progress, and, as I progressed, meeting people and making friends became easier and easier. Eventually, I landed my first sponsorship. I met a guy named Dameon Rowe, who was not only one of the best and highly respected skaters around; he was also the team manager for Fast Forward SkateShop, which is now Zumiez SkateShop. He had a smooth, technical style of skating that I admired, and it greatly influenced my skating. He and I became friends, and later he asked me if I was interested in being a shop rider. It seems so ironic to me that the guy who introduced me to skating and the guy who gave me my first sponsorship have the same name! Having a sponsorship made entering contests much easier, therefore I would skate at every one that I could. I usually placed well, taking first in contests like Vans Warped Tour of Dallas in 2001, Texas Amp Jam in 2002, and the TMobile Game of Skate in 2003. I was even able to land a job teaching skate lessons at the local park. A guy by the name of Chris Baird helped manage the park, and he also had a lot of experience in contest skating. He was well known and highly respected in the industry with lots of experience as a sponsored skater. As we got to know one another, he would give me pointers on developing my skating and pretty much became a mentor to me. Later, a shoe company by the name of Axis was launched, and they hired Chris as their team manager. He, in turn, offered me a place on the team. At that time though, I had my mind set on ES Shoes, but I eventually decided on Axis. That same year, Axis had a booth at the annual ASR (Action Sports Retailer) Show in San Diego, California. They flew me and a few other riders out to represent them during the show. I knew that this was an easy opportunity to find other brands looking for riders, so I took with me a few demo tapes of my skating. I spent the week searching around the massive venue for the perfect companies to try and partner with, and toward the end of the week I found the one! A skateboard brand called Reliance had a booth, so I went over and checked it out. Reliance was a skate brand from Long Beach, California with amazing concepts and strong Christian values. I had never seen such a legit Christian skate brand before, and I thought to myself these guys must be pretty serious about representing Christianity through this brand if theyre here at ASR surrounded by all these other secular brands! I went over to the booth with my demo tape in one hand and my board with bible verses on it in the other and introduced myself. Darren Wells, the owner, shook my hand, introduced himself and proceeded to tell me about the brand. After chatting for a while, I gave him my footage, and he told me hed check it out and get back with me. The following week I got a call from him, and the rest is history. I not only landed my first board sponsor, but one that had the same passion and vision as I did, to enjoy skating and spread the Gospel at the same time! Axis went out of business shortly after that but not before helping me discover Reliance. Since then, Ive been on the front line of reaching this generation for God, traveling the globe with Reliance and the KKSM (King of Kings Skateboard Ministry) International, and sharing with the world my passion for skating and the power of God!I truly marvel at where Im at in my life. I thank God for where I am and who I have become. I couldnt have imagined years ago where I am today. I couldnt have dreamed as a kid who I have become as a man. God had a specific plan and purpose for me long before I realized it, and He has a specific plan and purpose for you, too. I know this to be true. As I look back on my life I can see how everything happened the way it was supposed to be, good or bad. Just as the verses in Proverbs say, Trust in the Lord with all your heart and dont lean on your own understanding but in all your ways acknowledge the Lord and He will direct your path, Ive done just that and will continue to do so. I hope you to do the same.Elijah

Page 1

"Loves Mercy, acts justly, walks and skates humbly with the Lord"

Lindsay Bae

sponsored Skateboarder

New Zealand

Page 2

"Elijah has been apart of Reliance Skateboards from the beginning. He has always put out bangin parts and tons of pics. Elijah has great style and a glossy bag of tricks. I will always have a place in my heart for Elijah and all the help he has been to get the Reliance Brand where it is today!"

Darren "Pops" Wells

Founder of Reliance Skateboards &

Siren Skateboard Co &

King of Kings Skateboard Ministry

Longbeach, CA

Page 3

"Amen, as a believer of the birth, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ and knowing He made all things to glorify Him, I saw skateboarding from the get go as a way to glorify the Lord. Elijah was one of the first guys I heard about who was out there in the world sharing the Gospel. Event after event, trick after trick and day after day, Elijah has been out there pointing to The Cross. Do I need say more? Living for Jesus is the purpose, and Elijah has spent years yielding to the purpose."

Brian Sumner

Professional Skater

for Reliance Skateboards

Huntington Beach, CA

Page 4

"Elijah has a super smooth, natural style... it always looks like he's truly having fun on his board."

Dave Nelson Creative Director/Principal at SecretPenguin

a brand strategy + design agency

Omaha, NE

Page 5

"Mr. Satin Black is as smooth as silk, he should be Mr. Silky Black.... his effortless steezy is contagious! Elijah is in another world when he skates; i really enjoy watching him. I have to pick up the pieces of my face... cuz it got shredded off....."

Anthony Carney

Professional Skateboarder for

Siren Skateboards

Las Angeles, CA

Page 6

"Smooth effortless style, with a big bag of consistent tricks. Give him 10 minutes and he'll have all your tricks as well. Steezy cruising, long lines, bolts."

Mackie Hooker

Founder & Owner of Blue Beanie

Denver, CO

Page 7

"Elijah is Inspiring, creative, consistant, and has gangsta style!! Wait...i forgot to add Pizza Feet!"

Zac Archuleta

Professional Skateboarder for

Siren Skateboard Co

Las Angeles, CA