My Journey with Faith: How Phoenix Anthem Transformed My Life

Jun 21
7 min read

Updated: Sep 4

What This Post Is All About

I wanted to share my story because, to me, Phoenix Anthem isn’t just a business—it’s rooted in my narrative, my faith journey, and a calling to serve God's Church in a changing world. This is why Phoenix Anthem matters.

The Reason Behind the Beginning

Growing Phoenix Anthem meant engaging with Trinity Lutheran and enhancing its online presence. I noticed many congregations struggling with digital ministry. This realization pushed me to reach out locally and eventually to the South Wisconsin District of the LCMS. It wasn’t merely about seizing an opportunity; it felt like a calling. But I’ll elaborate on that later.

A New Hope?

Recent trends bring encouraging news: after years of decline, Christianity in the U.S. seems more stable, resting at around 60–64%. Particularly interesting is Gen Z; the religious "none" share has leveled off, showing renewed interest in faith. Many Gen Z individuals, especially young men, are attending weekly services more frequently. They describe this as a post‑COVID search for community and deeper meaning.

I believe this isn't just a cultural coincidence—it feels like the beginning of a new Great Awakening. With the gifts God has bestowed upon me—storytelling, video production, livestreaming, and web design—I feel compelled to help churches lean into this moment.

Early Life & Adversity

My life started unexpectedly. I was born three months premature, spending time in the hospital before gaining strength to go home.

By age two, I experienced child abuse, shaping my life in ways I couldn’t comprehend then.

I grew up as the youngest of five siblings—three sisters and one brother. The impact of the abuse left me with a limp and partial paralysis on my right side. In school, kids could be unkind, but I learned not to let it affect me. I forged friendships that valued me for who I was, giving me strength. I pushed myself to participate in activities, especially gym class, which earned me respect despite occasional bullying.

Honestly, grade school was challenging. Math remained a struggle, leading to placement in Learning Disability (LD) classes for extra help. I suspect I might have had undiagnosed ADHD, though I never sought testing. In college, I excelled in most subjects, achieving nearly perfect grades but still needed accommodations for exams, particularly in math. More on college later.

Family Transitions & Trauma

One summer day in the mid-90s, my life shifted dramatically. I returned home to find I was moving to Milwaukee with my siblings to live with my dad. I didn’t fully grasp the reasons, creating a hazy memory of that period. Occasional visits from my mom included gentle reminders that I had to stay "just a bit longer."

When I started 8th grade in Milwaukee, I often walked to school. One day, my dad offered me a ride. As we sat idling, he informed me my mom was in the hospital and might not survive. The following moments are a blur, but I remember sitting outside her hospital room, reluctant to enter. Eventually, one of my sisters encouraged me, explaining, “It might be your last chance to see her.”

Upon stepping into that dimly lit room with the whirring machines, something shifted in me—but not in a comforting way. I felt abandoned. That day marked the beginning of my faith unraveling. How could a loving God allow such brokenness—my disability, the abuse, and the potential loss of my mom? I held onto hope for as long as I could, but bitterness and doubt crept in.

During this time, I sought solace in literature, reading Walden by Henry David Thoreau and Meditations by Marcus Aurelius. I was searching for meaning amidst chaos. These works, along with writers like Ralph Waldo Emerson and Mark Twain, shaped my formative years. Emerson’s quote, "I cannot remember the books I’ve read any more than the meals I have eaten; even so, they have made me," feels particularly fitting. Still, the sense of abandonment lingered, and I gradually shut God out. While my mother survived, she was never the same—paralyzed and with a fragile memory.

Growing Up & Achieving Milestones

Eventually, I returned to West Bend to finish 8th grade, living briefly with my brother. Later, my oldest sister and I settled into a farmhouse outside Kewaskum. High school was quieter, and while I kept to myself, meaningful friendships emerged. Living closer to West Bend felt comforting, allowing me to walk miles on country roads to spend weekends with childhood friends. My last two years of high school saw yet another move to Jackson, where I reconnected with friendships.

I graduated high school as the first in my family to do so, taking a job as a custodian at Pick 'n Save. I loved working there, forming lifelong friendships. The store owner treated me kindly, motivating me to give my best. I had a rebellious streak typical of my early 20s, but I was dedicated to my job.

Awakening: Earning Purpose

Pick 'n Save became more than just work; it transformed into my community. One day, while bagging groceries, I asked myself, "What am I doing with my life? Is this my future?" That moment propelled me to action, enrolling part-time at Moraine Park in West Bend for Computer Science while maintaining my job.

Then, in 2004, a co-worker pushed me to watch The Passion of the Christ. Hesitant at first, I found myself deeply moved, weeping openly. That night, I asked God to forgive me for shutting Him out for so long while thanking Him for sparing my mom's life—something I hadn't acknowledged until that moment. I recognized my survival and accomplishments as miracles worth gratitude. I vowed to find a church to call home and express my thanks.

Years later, a roommate situation prompted another move, and in 2006, I relocated to Milwaukee with a friend, continuing my job at Pick 'n Save. To further my education, I enrolled at Milwaukee Area Technical College, graduating in 2009 with a degree in IT. I began a side business, FixIT Computer Services, assisting my community. Though it brought in a modest income, it was challenging to find full-time positions. Eventually, I secured a role as a desktop support technician before being laid off months later during the recession.

A New Path: History & Storytelling

With limited options, I decided to return to school for a bachelor's degree. Initially pursuing Computer Science, burnout led me to switch to History—my passion. Advisors suggested pairing it with a practical subject, so I added Journalism. Once behind a camera, everything clicked. I ultimately earned bachelor’s degrees in History and Journalism.

In 2015, I secured my first real job as a video editor at a local TV station while launching Thomas Kelly Productions, LLC, providing web design for small businesses and friends. By 2017, I expanded to include photography and video production, gaining invaluable hands-on experience. However, by 2018, mounting student debt of about $70,000 began to weigh heavily. My brother offered me a role in his growing construction business, prompting me to leave my job at the TV station. While leaving was disheartening after all my hard work, I prioritized my financial stability.

Discovering Tonya and a Spiritual Home

Around this time, I met Tonya. We dated and grew close. I expressed a critical desire: if we were moving forward, I wanted to find a church to call home. On Christmas Eve in 2018, after about 14 years of searching, we entered Trinity Lutheran.

In that moment, I knew I had found my place. I began fulfilling a promise I'd made to God. Two years later, in September 2020, we married in our backyard, surrounded by loved ones under a giant maple tree.

Serving and Growing at Trinity

In early 2021, I noticed Trinity Lutheran Church ramping up its online presence due to COVID. I reached out to our Senior Pastor, offering my equipment and skills. Trinity welcomed me in, and I began serving in unexpected ways. The Bible study we created grew into a podcast and eventually included Trinity’s full Divine Service and sermons.

I volunteered with livestreaming, improved Trinity’s YouTube branding, thumbnails, and SEO. In 2022, I led a capital campaign to upgrade our livestream cameras—a $60,000 part of a $500,000 goal. We launched our first high-quality stream in December, just in time for Christmas. Our content now reaches over 30,000 viewers a month. One remarkable moment involved a listener from another state who was so moved by our ministry that he visited Trinity and presented our Senior Pastor with an $80,000 check for the campaign.

Phoenix Anthem

In 2021, I revamped Trinity’s website, giving it a major upgrade. That same year, I launched Phoenix Anthem, my third LLC, aimed at empowering churches and ministries to strengthen their digital presence. I began assisting other LCMS congregations immediately. Eventually, I sought a formal partnership with the South Wisconsin District of the LCMS. This step has opened incredible opportunities, and I’m eager to unveil what lies ahead as we continue to spread God's Word in the 21st century.

Reflection: What if?

I often contemplate the different paths my life could’ve taken. A moment I reflect on involves the morning after 9/11. Driven by patriotism and a desire to serve, I walked into a military recruiting office, only to be turned away due to my disability. At that time, it crushed me. Yet, looking back, I see how that rejection led me to a different form of service and life. What if my experience of abuse had never happened? What if I had joined the military? More importantly, what if I had never returned home, except in a casket, the American flag gently draped over me? In reflecting on that moment, I often think of Genesis 50:20:

"As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today."

My life has been shaped by hardship, setbacks, and unanswered questions. Through this journey, God has been crafting a bigger story—one that led me to a loving wife, two amazing sons, and a calling to serve His Church with the gifts He bestowed upon me. Thank you for investing your time to read this blog post; not only does it share my story, but it highlights what drives me to ensure Phoenix Anthem leaves a lasting legacy, giving thanks to God.

On a personal level, I hope that someday someone facing challenges—be it faith, hardship, or life—sees this post and finds solace in it. I understand how tough it can be; all you need to do is hang on. You never know where the road may lead you.