Writer: Mathew Marquez
Growing-up in urban America with documented learning disabilities, self-esteem issues compounded by debilitating stuttering, and enough anger to fuel several school suspensions—the statistics indicate success on any level would be hard to come by. However, for Shawn Harper, giving into the statistics would have been to admit he was a victim adrift in a sea of turbulence beyond his control.

Let the record officially reflect that Shawn Harper is no victim.

With numerous challenges in front of him he perseveres to graduate high school, attend junior college, on to Indiana University to play Big 10 Conference football, and on the NFL to play for the Indianapolis Colts as an offensive lineman. His charismatic presence has been spotlighted as a celebrity mentor on MTV’s Made reality series. Today, he is a school and corporate motivational speaker, life coach, and also the CEO of his own personal security firm. That’s a long way from where the statistics say Shawn Harper should be today.

Risen Magazine: Your name is listed under such things as evangelist, preacher, motivational speaker, life coach, and corporate security and surveillance specialist? Hmm, ’one of these kids, isn’t like the others’—how does that happen?
Shawn Harper: [Laughs] People love to create titles. People love to place people in boxes. Once they can put you in a box or label you, they feel comfortable. Well, I’m none of the above. I’m an investor. The greatest investment for me is people. Because when you invest in people it has the greatest opportunity to yield generational dividends. At the core of it all I am an investor, an investor in people. As for the corporate security side of things, well that’s a family-owned business I lead.

RM: Do you think people are intimidated by your size?
SH: Yeah and you know what? I don’t understand why! I guess I have never been cognizant of my bigness. [Laughing] I don’t see myself as big man, but I know you’re not going to see me stroll into Abercrombie & Fitch trying on some jeans either! [Laughing] I couldn’t even get my lower leg into one of those pants! Crazy!

RM: Dude, I’m not gonna lie to you—you’re freakin’ huge!
SH: [Laughing] Okay, but I don’t see myself like that though! But you know, I was the kid who rode his friend’s moped and his mama was like, You know, I don’t think that’s such a good idea let Shawn ride that thing . . . [Laughing]

RM: You’ve been through a lot. Learning disabilities, self-esteem issues, and a lot of anger growing up. Does Shawn Harper now ever struggle with the Shawn Harper of his youth?
SH: Continually. In fact, even just recently I was speaking at an event and I got hit with thoughts of “you didn’t do a good job,” “not very many people congratulated you,” “where are all your accolades and awards?” That old nature always wants to dig a hole back into those past challenges I faced and overcame. There was so much self-hatred back then that there are times it can be challenging to face the old Shawn Harper. I think the secret of it is to keep the focus off of you. That’s what the enemy wants to do, distract you from the important things around you and get you dwelling on yourself. There is no time to sit back and lick your old wounds. You know, it’s not about me, it’s about the message.

RM: So what do you think that message is?
SH: The message is that each one of us has been created as victors and not as victims. The message is: God can get it to you, if He can get through you. It’s all about equipping and encouraging people to affect and infect the world. That’s the message.

RM: Outside of a “church community,” the word Christian has lost much of its significance in today’s culture. Why do you think that is?
SH: Oh, man, there is so much baggage! I think it’s because we have taken the Christian experience and processed it, packaged it, branded it, compartmentalized it, marketed it, and we’ve humanized it. We’ve turned it into a weapon. A knife is tool and a weapon, but we’ve just turned it into a weapon. So I understand why people with addictions, gender issues, or marital problems would never want to talk to a Christian. It’s because we forgot the principle ingredient: love. We have to love them, lift them up, and walk with them! Some Christians today would just cut them to shreds! It’s as if we [Christians] have extracted love from our identity and settled on having a “right” image.

RM: Do you think this is something that can be changed? Or should be changed?
SH: Well, we gotta get broken before the Lord about our attitudes. God is so often telling us “do this thing and stop worry about the results” or “give when I tell you to give” we have to be willing to follow his calls for our lives.
    Also, we have to get past the physical structure of the church. We get so caught up in making our churches the conduit of God’s message. We have to get out there [in the world] and be the conduits for the Christ. So many formulas and programs get mixed up in this and limit this potential.
    I’m not fan. I’m sorry, but I’m not a fan of the modern physical church being the center of God’s work. I’m just not a big fan. It’s about