How It Started...
As Kevin Durham recalls: “The first time I saw Emily it was in a magazine. It was Waterski Magazine… They had done an article about her as a X-Games Gold Medalist. I remember she is standing on top of this boat and they gave her the title “HerAirNess.”
Which was the same title they gave Michael Jordan and I thought to myself as an avid basketball player and a huge Michael Jordan fan… who dared give this girl the title of my hero?!
“That magazine also asked her questions about what she believed, what her morals were, and I remember sitting there reading this magazine… I thought to myself if someone’s given her the title of Michael Jordan and she is a believer in Christ, I’m sold…
… and I looked at my buddy and I said I’m going to marry this girl.”
“My buddy looked at me and said “Yea, right, good luck! She’s a World Champion Wakeboarder, you’ll never meet her.””
Kevin and Emily married in 2003, just 9 months after they met. For more of their story watch this video...
Where We Are Today…
In 2005, After college, Kevin went on to work in Athlete Management, for Nautique Boats in Orlando, FL where he spent nearly four years observing the power of STORY at work through Athlete’s endorsement.. The testimony of a pro athlete and their influential power was like a light light switch turned on and a dream of storytelling was born. On a low-key afternoon, taking a nap on the couch of friend and athlete, Shaun Murray, Kevin had an actual dream about athletes sharing their story of how they came to know Jesus and the influence God has made on their lives. In the vision, he saw millions of people watching these stories around the world hearing about something different than boats. It was the influence Jesus Christ has made on their lives, how it came about for them to believe in Him and how much they loved God.
In 2009, after much prayer and time seeking wisdom from family and friends, Kevin left his career and together he and Emily pursued the vision and launched, This Is My Story. The concept back then was pretty simple. We truly believe in the power of someone’s story of Christ to show other people that God is good. Let’s tell stories of athletes and watch them change lives.
We are completely blown away by the impact that this ministry has been able to have around the world. From a vision on a couch to a global impact. Since then we have produced 14 films, reaching millions of people in over 80 countries. We’ve traveled across the country 80,000 miles, proclaiming the gospel to more than 1,500 inner city youth and launched a one of a kind story-driven small group curriculum to empower all believers with their story in Christ. But this is just the beginning…
The Next Chapter...
In January 2025, Kevin Durham moved from Executive Director to the board, and Tommy Sewall was installed as Executive Director of This Is My Story.
Tommy is not new to this work. For years he served the ministry as a volunteer and advisor, alongside a life spent telling stories and forming people. He spent thirteen years on the camp team at Word of Life, including eight as director of Word of Life Island and of the Snowcamp winter program, and twenty years as an action sports athlete. He and his wife, Britney, and their sons, JT and Oliver, are part of the life behind the ministry.
That history shapes where the work is going. We will keep telling the stories of athletes and influencers, the kind of films that have carried the gospel to millions. And we will keep helping ordinary believers discover the story God is writing in their own lives, then share it with others.
The work is the same work it has always been. Story is still the catalyst. The next chapter is simply a wider reach: films that inspire, and people equipped to tell what God has done.
Together for the gospel we go.
Our Mission
We exist to “Bring to Light” the connection between your story and God’s grand story of love and redemption.
The foundation of our organization is based upon these 3 values:
Storytelling
Everyone Has a Story Worth Sharing
We believe that everyone has a story and we are all called by God to tell all that He has done in our lives.
Story Discovery
All of Us Have a Powerful Story to Tell
We help believers discover and tell their story so they can proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ. Through films, curriculum, workshops, story groups, and partnerships, we produce content that equips others to share their testimony.
Story Together
Community Grows When Stories are Known
We are committed to partnering with the local church, and empowering them with stories from within their congregation in order that they may have a fuller understanding of their “gospel story,” build deep and authentic community, and equipped to share their story outside the church walls.
This Is My Story is a 501(c)3 non-profit story-driven organization that was founded in 2009, headquartered out of Orlando, FL and focused on evangelism and discipleship through Story. We are storytellers. We help others discover their story and become “Good Storytellers."
Our Vision
That believers worldwide would confidently and boldly be able to declare… “This Is My Story!”
That we would see every church around the world have some form of Story Discovery, Storytelling and StoryTogether as a focus of their core ministry values.
That This Is My Story would be a lens by which evangelism and discipleship are revolutionized.
Our Story Board
Surrounding yourself with the right people is vital to your success. This could not be any more true when it comes to the board of a non-profit organization. We are fortunate to not only have incredible individuals serving on our board, but beyond this list is a much broader list of supporting individuals and partnerships that guide This Is My Story.
Kevin Durham
Founder / Chief Storyteller
Kevin is an award-winning film producer and director, compelling conference speaker and American Ninja Warrior contestant. He brings an unmatched passion and conviction for using stories as a catalyst for gospel transformation and for building a biblical community.
Roger Peace
Board Member / Owner and Principal Consultant at Fortis Leadership Group
Roger Peace spent more than twenty-five years with Word of Life Fellowship, including service as Chief Operating Officer and as President of the Bible Institute and Camps. He now serves as Owner and Principal Consultant at Fortis Leadership Group and brings decades of ministry leadership, discipleship, and organizational experience to the board of This Is My Story.
Evan Oster
Board Member
Evan grew up Catholic and experienced a faith transformation as a teenager, discovering the depth of God’s love and grace. He is committed to the fortitude of his family. Evan believes our stories can reveal God’s presence and bring healing, reconciliation, and redemption.
Gary Copeland
Board Member / Retired Business Owner / Entrepreneur
Gary is just one of those wise spiritual leaders that you are always better off after having spent time with. He ran successful businesses. Built entire homes by himself. Overseas Missionary. Walks closely with God.
Shaun Murray
Board Member / Pro Athlete / Entrepreneur
One of the first stories we ever did. Shaun has been a believer in This Is My Story ever since. Growing up, Shaun knew of God and went to church. As he got older he tried to find ways to disprove God’s existence, but as he shares in our film...he couldn’t.