Brooks Gibbs

In a world where today's youth are jaded and disappointed by institutions and people they perceive as out of touch with the reality of their lives, BROOKS GIBBS is a refreshing change from the "typical" speaker. Only 25 years of age, Brooks understands the pressures, heartaches, temptations, hopes, and dreams of the generation that is just now coming of age. Students listen in transfixed silence as he speaks with the clarity and confidence of someone twice his years.

Blessed with a full-time speaking ministry, he has appeared on Focus On The Family Radio, Franklin Graham Festivals, Spirit West Coast, the 700 Club, ABC, NBC, PAX Television, Sky Angel Television, and in the Washington Post. It's amazing how God got a hold of a kid who grew up in a family damaged by divorce--who struggled with drugs, alcohol, depression, and thoughts of suicide--and radically transformed him. Brooks had a life-changing salvation experience in the middle of his high school years and God placed a desire in his heart to share his newfound hope with other youth. By his junior year, Brooks was hosting a local teen talk show and his desire to minister grew. And then in 1999, the Columbine shootings happened.

It was at Columbine that Brooks met his future wife, Jill; both were there ministering to students in the aftermath of the tragedy. Jill shared a message of hope that rang true from her own experience--as a result of a gymnastics practice accident that disclocated two vertebrae in 1994, she was paralyzed from the waist down. In the midst of sorrow, God used the situation to bring Brooks and Jill together, an example of the good that God can bring about even in the darkest of circumstances.

Today, Brooks travels across the country and speaks to teens as well as adults. He also often includes a dynamic live music presentation called THE AUDIO EVANGELIST, which is an innovative effort to win the lost by combining electronic music with powerful, preachers from the past, present and future. His story is a powerful message of the hope found in Jesus Christ. - Fishers.com

1999: I interned at Focus on the Family in Colorado Springs, CO.

My internship was focused on Radio/TV. My responsibilities were to co-produce a national teen talk show for over 300 radio stations nationwide. The show was called 'Life on the Edge- Live!' and the lead co-hosts were Suzie Shellenberger and Joe White. The format was a weekly- live call in broadcast. I also was responsible to film television commercials for Dr. Dobson's nationwide family minute spots.

1999-2000: I interned with Emerging Young Leaders in Denver, CO under the mentorship of Steve Moore. My responsibilities were to travel and speak with students from Littleton, CO and survivors from the Columbine shooting. This was a life changing experience as we saw thousands of teen’s nationwide make spiritual decisions for Christ. I also spent a lot of time in bible study with these students, as many of them were going through a healing process after the famous school tragedy.

2001: I graduated from Horizon School of evangelism in San Diego, CA.

2001-2003: I served as an intern pastor for Horizon Christian Fellowship, under the mentorship of Mike MacIntosh and Mickey Stonier. This experience allowed me to understand local church ministry. My responsibilities were to counsel, visit hospitals, teach small groups, and oversee a small 'sister' church. I was ordained as clergy in 2003.

2004-Present: I run a non-profit ministry called Relevant Outreach which provides innovative teaching presentations designed to communicate biblical truth to teens and young adults.


- Brooks Gibbs

My Story:
Abandoned:
My dad left us when I was 3. My parent's divorce was a horrible way to start off life. My earliest memories are filled with sad scenes of family dysfunction.

Confused:
As I got older I started to hate God… if He even existed. How could a loving God allow me to have so much sadness in my heart? I lived part time with my dad, and part time with my mom. I almost became two people, changing personalities between the two different homes. I asked God many questions: Why was I given parents who couldn't get along? Why do they disagree on almost every issue? Who is right?

Insecure:
I wasn't happy with who I was, or where I came from. Though my mother did her best to affirm my talents and fill my childhood with love, I was dying inside. I wasn't a good athlete, I wasn't popular, and I had a list of learning disabilities. I hated school, not just because I was a horrible student, but because of my cruel classmates. Depression would often creep up on me, and by time I was a teenager I had many thoughts of suicide.

God:
When I was 14 years old, I was at the peak of my depression. I started to see the ugliness of the world around me more than ever before. I would talk to God, asking Him questions. It felt like he would answer me in my mind. I can't explain it, but it was wonderful. Like a wise father, He would counsel me. Sometimes late at night, I would feel His love in my heart. I knew that He was with me. I could sense that He was near. He was slowly drawing me into a personal relationship with Him.

Jesus:
That year my older sister invited me to her church youth group. That is when I heard about Jesus in a clear way. He was sent by God to pay the penalty for my sin. I knew I was a sinner. I was amazed at how much sin I had committed at my age. I felt like a 30-year-old dude, who deserved to be in jail. I knew how bad I was. I knew that I grew up too fast, and hurt a lot of people. Jesus was what I needed. I wanted the guilt, shame, and depression to go away. If faith in Christ could bring peace in my heart, than that is what I wanted. That is what I did. I asked my mom to help me pray the right prayer, so that I could become a Christian. She did. I have never been the same since.

Healing:
Psalm 139:17 How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How great is the sum of them! If I should count them, they would be more in number than the sand.

This verse has brought me more healing than any other verse in scripture. God thinks precious thoughts towards me. An infinite amount of wonderful thoughts… just towards me. I am important and valuable to Him. I was never sure if God even thought of me. I used to think if He did think of me, He must be so angry with me. But this verse told me different. With this new understanding, my life was changed! I have committed the rest of my life to sharing this message of love.

Some people don't like to share their story. It brings up too much pain or embarrassment. Some people have told me they have the most boring story ever, and they would feel stupid telling it! Weather you grew up in a small village in Ethiopia, surviving on dog and rat meat with a mother who kissed you with her lip plates… or if you grew up in Perfectville, Kansas with a pastor for a dad and Martha Stuart for a mom… your story is important! It is unique and you must share it with others. Don't worry about painful memories or boring nothingness. Just tell it!

I have found so much healing in the retelling of my story. When I look back at my life, I don't ask the question 'what have I been through?', but instead I ask the question 'what has God brought me through?' That subtle paradigm shift is a key to healing. I double dog dare you to start telling people your story from that angle. The only word of caution that I would give you is, 'be 100% honest about everything.' Don't let your story turn into a 'big fish/urban legend.' Just be honest! The focus in your story is not in the shocking details of your war scars; but instead, the focus is on how God has saved you! He is the star of your story. Not you!

bg
- Brooks Gibbs

As an ordained chaplain and licensed crisis interventionist, Brooks Gibbs often serves as a counselor to people in crisis.  The opportunity to serve as a spiritual counselor began in 1999.  In that year while living in Colorado Brooks was called upon to join the students of Littleton, CO and the Columbine High School shooting in sharing testimonies and messages of hope across the country.  He spent 2 years traveling with the victims of the shooting as a co-communicator, speaking to hundreds of thousands of students across North America.  His work with these students has been featured on every major media outlet. 

He met his wife, Jill, while she too was working and counseling with students from Columbine High School.  Jill is permanently in a wheelchair due to a spinal cord injury caused from gymnastics.  Her life has been a source of inspiration for thousands who desire to live life to the fullest despite any physical disability.

Since that time in Colorado, Brooks and Jill have been called upon as counselors to other school shootings, and community/family tragedies.  They have also been a source of hope and guidance for many personalities in the music and entertainment industry.  Brooks often serves as a chaplain to artists on tour.
- Relevant Outreach