About Craig Sanborn

The man behind the myth...

Craig Sanborn's speaking ministry began in 1995, but it wasn't at a camp, a youth rally, or even a Bible study. It was in the broadcasting studio of KILR Radio Station in northwest Iowa, where Craig served as a D.J. and sports director. Years later, Craig understood why God led him to that job in radio. "I remember a comment made to me from the worship leader at a camp where I spoke. He said I was one of the best enunciators he had ever heard. It was a strange comment, but I realize it came from my years spent as a D.J."

In 1997 Craig left KILR to find a job in a bigger market. In July, he was offered a job as the operations manager at a soon-to-be Christian teen nightclub. Craig recalls, "Michael W. Smith was interested in opening a club for teenagers similar to a Nashville club called Rocketown in the Twin Cities. It seemed like a great opportunity, so I took it." Craig also accepted a position as the Jr. High Director at Trinity Baptist Church in St. Paul MN. Within weeks after taking the two jobs, things fell apart. The vision for the nightclub completely fell through and the youth director at Craig's new church left. Though God closed two doors, he opened another one. Craig was offered the vacant position of Director of Youth Ministries. He says, "It all seemed too coincidental to me. I had my own plans and vision for my life, but it was obvious that the Lord was leading me into youth ministry."

Even before Craig's employment at the church, the Lord was providing opportunities for him to speak to youth. In early 1997 he spent a weekend in solitude developing a seminar called "Rage Against the Music" (later called "Rage Against the Media"). After giving the seminar at a youth conference in Duluth, the phone calls began. Craig remembers, "I was shocked by the response I received. I didn't realize what a hot topic the media was and how that one seminar would change my life. I began traveling with that one message alone." Through the years, Craig has continued to take entire weekends in solitude to develop Spirit-led messages. The list of seminar topics keeps growing.

In 2001, Craig formed *Rock Steady Ministries (RSM). His desire was to provide quality speakers and musicians for organizations that wouldn't normally have access to them because of their size, location, or financial boundaries. RSM was in high demand since its birth and continues to be an asset for many organizations. Craig's speaking opportunities continue to grow and in 2004 he made the transition from youth director to a full-time youth communicator.

In 2006, a real desire towards discipleship began to grow in Craig's heart. That's when Camp Lebanon asked him to fill the role in a newly created position, Program Associate. This role gave him more opportunities for speaking to youth and also provided opportunities for discipleship within camping ministry.

After spending time at Camp Lebanon, Craig recently stepped back into a youth pastor position at his home church in Long Prairie, MN. As the Director of Youth Ministries, he will continue to pursue speaking opportunities, feed his passion for year round discipleship, and invest into the local church.

From the Midwest to the Philippines, and parts in-between, Craig has literally traveled the world sharing Christ's love with students. It is his obvious passion and mission. Craig says, "Speaking is what I was born to do. Whenever I'm at home, I'm dying to get back on the road and head to another camp, conference, or school. There is literally nothing I'd rather do in life than speak to teenagers."

*Rock Steady Ministries took on a new look and a new name in 2007. It is now called Infused Ministries and is run by James Rock, Program Director at Trout Lake Camp in Pine River, MN.

Craig adapts his ministry to fit themes and scripture. He will tailor his message to meet any time constraints and audience needs. Craig speaks on more than two dozen topics, including the following:


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