Slice Up Your Life

Xavier Scruggs is a husband, a father, a believer, an athlete, and the creator of Xtraordinary Athletes - a community for athletes to come together and learn life skills beyond the field (or court or whatever platform you’re playing on). I love how x talks about setting the foundations early on - whether that be as an athlete preparing to be a culture influence, a father that leads by example for his children or a son learning to listen to his spiritual father. x talks about being willing to learn as much as we can, and knowing whatever decision we make, god’s got us either way.

This is such a great open conversation about being a christian and trying to navigate through this walk of life with patience, wisdom and discernment.

• Xavier Instagram

• XTRAORDINARY ATHLETES Instagram

• XTRAORDINARY ATHLETE Website

• Weight of Gold HBO Documentary

• BLACK JACK PIZZA

• OASIS CHURCH CHICAGO MESSAGES

#sliceupyourlife … join in on the conversation wherever you are!

Music is by Gillcuddy.

http://www.sliceslicebaby.net/slice-up-your-life

Jess won a place in my heart from the moment I met her. I’m not sure if it was her willingness to be an open book (because same), her free spirit during worship, her God gifted talent for words to flow out of her or her insane brain for art & entrepreneurship. Whatever it was, I knew this girl was a gem. I feel truly blessed to have Jess apart of my life, my community and even more so, my council. She drops wisdom and reminds us all to loosen the grip on our plans & listen to let God move throughout the transitions in our life - whether that be relationally or professionally. 

• Jess Instagram

• Our Days Photo Instagram

• For Just A Moment Business Website

• Sa Voix Instagram

• Darling Dear Instagram

• Tortorice’s Pizza

#sliceupyourlife … join in on the conversation wherever you are!

Music is by Gillcuddy.

http://www.sliceslicebaby.net/slice-up-your-life

Jarryd Cole is a former college basketball player at the University of Iowa, where he met his wife, Trisha Cole. They now reside in Ames, IA and have 3 beautiful girls and expecting one more (Jarryd is pulling for a boy). He has had a passion for having the hard conversations on racial tensions, through biblical views for a long time…intro The Ambassador - A biblically informed Christian coalition that engages issues of religion, race, justice, and culture in ways that pursue reconciliation. One of my favorite things he says is in regards to how we should operate- as the HUB.

• Humble: Philippians 2:1-4

  Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. 3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

• Unified: John 17: 21-23

  21 that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22 I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one— 23 I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.

• Bold: 2 Timothy 1:7

  7 For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.

See more about The ambassador & his adorable family on his Instagram.

• The Ambassador Instagram

• The Ambassador Website

• The Ambassador Podcast

• Cornerstone Church

• God’s Very Good Idea Book

#sliceupyourlife … join in on the conversation wherever you are!

Music is by Gillcuddy.

http://www.sliceslicebaby.net/slice-up-your-life

IB is such a light. Her energy & brain brightens up the room. She is a force to be reckoned with. She is a trailblazer. She is the creator of her little love child: refine cltv - a digital community to help identify and support minority & women owned businesses & freelancers. She sheds light on her feelings, emotions and thought processes during the Black Lives Matter movement.

"I don't believe in coincidences, I believe in God" 

• Instagram

• Refine CLTV Instagram

• Refine CLTV Site

• Janet Jackson’s IG repost of her dancing

• Art of Pizza

• People Church

#sliceupyourlife … join in on the conversation wherever you are!

Music is by Gillcuddy.

http://www.sliceslicebaby.net/slice-up-your-life

Joey is apart of the OG Oasis crew who helped move & plant this church in the city of Chicago (PTL!). He is a nurse at Northwestern Hospital in the city and loves himself some college basketball & pineapple pizza. I appreciate his openness and vulnerability to speak on his faith journey and just life - trying to live & love well. Two of the favorite things he said was: "I never thought that my career would shape my theology" & “put your head down, love people well & stop looking for the approval of others” and man can I relate to the latter.

You can check out more on his Instagram.

• Wild at Heart by John Eldredge

• Meaning of Marriage by Timothy Keller

• Parlor Pizza - Chicago, IL

• Owen & Engine - Chicago, IL

• Oasis Church Chicago

#sliceupyourlife … join in on the conversation wherever you are!

Music is by Gillcuddy.

http://www.sliceslicebaby.net/slice-up-your-life

Jordan is a senior in high school in the north burbs of Illinois - she was adopted off of Native American reservation and continues to stand up for her roots. She also stands firm in her faith & her passion for advocacy. On top of all of that, the girl can sing! 

• Her Instagram

• Her song: INNOCENCE

• Her podcast: Plans to Prosper

• C24/7: An organization to help families get resources during this time of COVID-19

• Case for Christ

• Viccino’s Pizza

#sliceupyourlife … join in on the conversation wherever you are!

Music is by Gillcuddy.

http://www.sliceslicebaby.net/slice-up-your-life

Paiton & Joseph are seriously beautiful souls - not only are they amazing people, but everything they create is stunning. They talk about their journeys, finding Oasis, finding each other and finding their purpose through Christ.

Paiton’s Instagram

Joseph’s Instagram & Website

See all the beautiful things they do on Oasis' Instagram and check out Oasis for all the links to church & coffee-time :)

Pizza spots: Paulie G’s (CHI) & Keyport Pizza (NJ)

#sliceupyourlife … join in on the conversation wherever you are!

Music is by Gillcuddy.

http://www.sliceslicebaby.net/slice-up-your-life

Joy & energy are two things that Matt is never low on. He has such a bright, beautiful spirit that is insanely contagious to all those around him. we talk about the transitions of life coming to know jesus, the hope he brings, and the crazy path that he has us on.

Matt’s INSTAGRAM
Train MOMENT INSTAGRAM & WEBSITE
THE BEST CHICAGO DEEP DISH: PEQUODS

#sliceupyourlife … join in on the conversation wherever you are!

Music is by Gillcuddy.

http://www.sliceslicebaby.net/slice-up-your-life

Bekah is one of the sweetest souls. She’s been an entrepreneur since she was a toddler and hasn’t slowed down yet. I love her brain - it is always looking at how to include and take care of others, looking for the next adventure and looking for the next business opportunity. I love all her threeness, her passion for the Lord, and her bright spirit.

Bekah’s Instagram

Print Shop

#sliceupyourlife … join in on the conversation wherever you are!

Music is by Gillcuddy.

http://www.sliceslicebaby.net/slice-up-your-life

You know when things are just meant to be? i feel that with my relationship with Shalom. When I first moved to Chicago, I was searching for volunteer opportunities with highschool kids and stumbled on Breakthrough, where Shalom was leading a girl's mentoring program. 

I cherish her HUGE heart to help others, am amazed by her artistic talent, and love her openness to talk to me from a different perspective of racial inequality and mental health. 

Our Hands Ceramic - her amazing artwork
Breakthrough - an organization to work with those in East Garfield Park, Chicago
Healthy Hood - An organization that is all about exercising the body, educating the mind and awakening the conscious

Garifuna Flava
Pizza Due
Pequods

#sliceupyourlife … join in on the conversation wherever you are!

Music is by Gillcuddy.

http://www.sliceslicebaby.net/slice-up-your-life