The SHOUT IT Ministries Society (SIMS)

Alicia Wendland

“I am a lover of life, a learner in the living and sharing along the way, a believer in the power of story, a person who ponders of the good in all things, living by a hope that extends beyond any understanding, exploring Truth and embracing it as the reins of life.”

Her Profile:

I came to know Christ at the age of sixteen through Younglife. Growing up without knowing my biological father, Christ met me right where I was at. I felt adopted by my heavenly Father as I explored the Gospels in living color for the first time, learning who Christ really is. While I accepted Him into my life as a teenager, it wasn’t until two years ago that I heard the call louder than before—to live life out loud, to realize that I wasn’t going to just wander into the life He created me for. He called me to love, and to go with His love to places my heart beats for. It was scary, a place I had let fear keep me from. I had spent years wandering though life in dead places, waiting to become alive. That January night, I argued with God, that I was not qualified enough and He assured me that I didn’t need to be, but I already was through Him. I wanted to have a plan, but God told me to go live where my heart takes me, to learn and share along the way.

Her Ministry:

Wending the Way has come to life as I have shared pieces of the adventure through writing and photography. I believe in the power of story, especially a story that is shared. I’ve never been strong with words, which has left me frustrated for years. Photography has allowed me to not only express my story, but to find words in them. It is merely like God has given me the gift of photography and a different perspective on life to share. A camera can go everywhere, just like the heart. Some days need different lenses and offer fresh perspective on what we see in the everyday. Our God-given hearts are what tell the story, while cameras can capture, give words and share. Photography has not only allowed me to share my story, but to capture and celebrate the stories of others as a photographer. It is a place to meet people where they are at and love on them by celebrating the beauty of who they are.

The Verse I Founded Wending the Way From:

“Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” {Philippians 3:12-14}

Getting to Know Alicia:

While my maiden name is “Strong”, my married name is “Wendland”, which means “to travel the land”, hence the blog name of Wending the Way. I’m an Ohio native, but my husband and I now live in Colorado. I enjoy climbing mountains, backpacking, hiking, music, photography and mentoring youth.

How to Contact Her:

Email: Alicia.m.wendland@gmail.com
Blog: www.wendingtheway.blogspot.com

Kyle Jackson

“I am compassionate at heart, finding the good in people, and desiring for them to know Who the Truth is, seeking Truth and walking in His ways, a worshiper who longs for the Heart of God, tasting the full richness of His grace, being captivated by the beauty of His creation, pursuing life to the fullest, and becoming the full essence of love that has no bounds.”

His Profile:

I was fortunate and blessed to grow up in a Christian home. At the age of ten, I accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior at a Billy Graham Crusade event held in the summer of 1994. But it wasn’t until four years later at I fully committed by life over to Christ. Rebellious, lost, and confused, I finally saw my need for a Savior. On September 13, 1998, I was baptized into everlasting, new life by my youth pastor at the age of 14. Although I was on the right path, growing and maturing in the faith, my late teens and early twenties were filled with much frustration as I searched for an identity and a purpose I could call my own. As I turned the quarter century mark everything changed. The call became clear. On April 21, 2009, my life as a fan of Christ came to an end. I became a follower.

His Ministry:

SHOUT IT Ministries came from a simple idea that resonated in my mind for months growing louder and louder with each passing day. The idea was nothing overly profound—declare my life’s mission statement on a license plate that consisted of seven letters. Yep, a license plate. The phrase, “Shout it” seemed to stick out and on April 21, 2009 after a horrible day of work—I knew I had to change and make something more of my life. To be who I was created to be. “SHOUT IT” became my life’s mission statement and God began to open up a whole new world of possibilities for what He wanted for my life. My talents of writing and creativity could now be shared on a platform—a website with the aim to tell others about God’s love. For more on how it began read my blog: http://shoutitforlife.com/2009/11/20/shout-it-a-short-simple-seven-letter-statement/

I never envisioned “SHOUT IT” becoming what it is today and I am so blessed to be in this position to reach others telling them about Christ. I am more than ever excited for the next chapter and all the many wonderful plans God has in store for my life. There is no limit to what can be accomplished with this ministry–not because of who I am, but because of Who He is. “The Dream”, as I have dubbed it, is for the body of Christ to know Who the Truth Is, living and walking in His ways, and to become an authentic representation of Him as the Truth. My vision is that this website becomes a place of community where we can learn, grow, fellowship, and share our lives’ stories together.

The Verse I Founded SHOUT IT Ministries From:

“I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.” (3 John 1:4)

Getting to Know Kyle:

I live in northeast Ohio and have been here all my life. Some of my hobbies include reading, singing, listening to music, jogging, playing church softball, and writing. I also enjoy spending time outdoors adoring God’s creation, hanging out with my friends, and watching sports; especially the Cleveland Indians. Currently I am studying Web Design at Stark State Tech and hope to graduate in the spring of 2013.

How to Contact Him:

Email: kylej317@gmail.com

Brian Shooks 

“I am a worshiper, in every ounce of my life, not a Sunday singer.  I’m a teacher, a mentor, a leader. I’m passionate, zealous over my work, and my ministry as a worship leader. I will go to the ends of the earth to pursue perfect worship. I’m a caregiver, wanting nothing more than to take care of the whole person, not just the physical.  I live with a crazy love, a ridiculous passion, and I hold nothing back. ”   

His Profile: 

I grew up in a Christian home, attending Northside Christian Church from a very young age. In 1995, I accepted Christ, but I always felt it was out of fear more than love. It wasn’t until later in my walk that I truly felt His presence completely, and my eyes were finally open to the whole. I began my journey as a musician in 1999, teaching myself drums as well as joining choir. From there, I joined our church’s youth band, and soon found myself in a recording band, Common Grounds. Though we went our separate ways, I knew what my purpose in life was. I grew under some amazing worship leaders, and in 2005, finally realized my true calling. I started the first kids’ worship department in NCC’s history, building from the ground up a worship ministry that today stands stronger than ever. Reckless Abandon Worship, or RAW for short, not only fulfilled the purpose I assumed for myself as a worship leader, but brought new loves to me: teaching, mentoring, and creating. 

His Ministry: 

RAW, named after my worship team, was birthed from conversations with SHOUT IT Ministries own Kyle Jackson. Through writing devotions, communion meditations, and other pieces for my kids at the church, I started to really enjoy sharing. Kyle was looking for more content, and saw right away the opportunity for us to unite. My passionate is worship and music, and I want to make sure we as followers of Christ are pursuing Him in every imaginable direction and every opportunity. Not only when we’re happy, but when we’re broken. Not only worship in celebration, but in lamenting as well. What you’ll read is honest, straight from my heart to yours. You’ll find what songs stir my soul alive, which albums I consider the soundtracks for my life, and I’ll challenge you to open your horizons. The term Reckless Abandon literally means to do something with no regard for consequences. Usually a negative term, I’ve flipped it to show how we should be living our lives for Christ: not quietly, not with kid gloves on, and keeping nothing to ourselves. I promise to never push you farther than God has asked, and I’ll never ask you to do anything I myself am not pursuing.     

The Verse I Founded RAW From: 

“Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all the earth: make a LOUD noise, and rejoice, and sing praise.” Psalm 98:4 (KJV)  

Getting to Know Brian: 

I live in Wadsworth, OH, with my wife Tara. I work at Sterling Jewelers as a Senior Diamond Assorter. While music takes 98% of my life, I also enjoy the theater, video games, and Chipotle. I love spending time with friends, being absolutely crazy and taking life by the horns. I currently serve as worship leader and head of Reckless Abandon Worship (RAW), the worship team I created back in 2005, where I lead worship for our 1-6 graders every Sunday. I’m also the bass player and one of the vocalists in IInd Chances (Second Chances), an acoustic/folk band. In the past, I’ve been in several bands, from Christian rock bands focused on writing music, to secular bar classic rock bands on Saturday nights. Though I left for over 8 years, I’m also getting my feet wet again in theater – playing drums, being mentored into a musical director, and overall learning the background processes. I don’t take friendships lightly, and I’ll have your back til our dying day. I’m a follower -  not a fan.

How to Contact Him:

Email: bshooks23@hotmail.com