I am Minister Aaron Standberry, President of Jehovah Ministries, INC (JM).  We are a 501(c) 3, tax-exempted charity/ministry in good standing with the State of Mississippi and the Federal Government (EIN#64-0863250).   Jehovah Ministries mean “God’s Servants”, and we strive to be good servants of God (Jesus) in the multimedia industry. 

We are presently sending this request to you asking for your assistance in developing a valuable project for this community.  This project is one that is dear to our hearts and soul.  

In July 1992, my wife and I were blessed with a baby boy which we named John Lester Standberry III, named after my late father and brother.  In his second year of life, he was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes.  Now, I was in the Air Force which meant our medical care was taken care of via Tricare.  Because of our personal position, getting the latest in diabetic treatment was no problem.  John grew to be a fine young adult.  During his upbringing, he did not lack any activity.  At Bayou View Junior High, he played in the concert band, In At Gulfport High School and MGCCC, he played in the concert, jazz, and marching bands.  However, His greatest passion was for skateboarding.  Over the years, skateboarding was the one thing he loved the best.  Traveling to competitions, tournaments, and just hanging out with other skaters was a major part of his life.  While having three children to care for, he found the time to promote his skateboarding passion.  On February 15, 2019, John moved on to a higher calling to be with the Lord Jesus Christ.  His family and friends want to carry on his passion for skateboarding in some way or another.  We have come to the conclusion that the establishment of a skateboard memorial would be in our best interest.  For this cause, we are requesting the use of a portion of the current Harrison County Skate Park Complex to establish a safe and controlled environment for local skateboarders. This area would also become an area in support of those organizations that working on treatments of the renal illnesses that he had. 

Within today’s society, we have many crises.  Many of which we can not solve at this level.  However, there are some we can deal with on this level.  One such crisis is that of abandoning our youth.  Today I am here as a voice for those in our community who will not be heard.  They are the young men and women of the Gulf Coast skateboarding community.  A community that has been abandoned by us for years. 

Skateboarding has now been entered into the books as an Olympic sport.  Nationally, as of 2016, there are approximately 6 million skateboarders.  Skateboarding has become the third most noted action sport within the youth community.  It is important that we give these young men and women our utmost support and encouragement.  They too have dreams of great accomplishments. Therefore we must aid them in any way possible to ensure their success in life.   Although I am giving them a voice here today, I am not their spokesperson.  The spokesperson for this group comes to you today from eternity.

Aaron Standberry,  Founder/President                                                                                                        Jehovah Ministries INC