The AMTC chairman of the board – George Dillard. I highly recommend checking out his books: “Seven things that God desires For Us” and “The Big Mission.” I just got them last night and had to force myself to stop reading so I could go to the gym!

In the summer of 2010 I competed in a convention called AMTC in Orlando, Florida. This is a convention for aspiring actors, models, dancers, singers, and simply any type of performer to come compete in to be seen by scouts from agencies across the world. From attending this convention with my Nashville based agency, Advantage Model & Talent, I signed with FORD Models and later signed with Wilhelmina Models – LA. I was honored to be invited back this year as a guest speaker to speak at various seminars. Last night I spoke at the seminar titled “Keeping your faith in the industry.” It was very moving as various questions were asked and comments were made about how to keep your faith in industry. I enjoyed giving my advice to the crowd of young people chasing their dreams as well as learning from my fellow guest speakers on the panel who have faced similar situations as I have in this industry. Some questions included “what is your daily activity which keeps you close to God?” “Are there really only very few Christians in the industry?” “How do you know when God is talking to you?”  “What is the toughest thing you face in this industry?” as well as comments we made such as how to handle auditions, castings, rejections, and etc.

One comment a fellow guest speaker made was that “rejection is protection” when referring to the temptations we feel to take certain jobs which may not be what is best for our lives. One person asked each of us how he could pray for us – I simply responded by saying that we could use prayers in gaining wisdom of which jobs we should and shouldn’t take as far as how they would honor God. Additionally, I mentioned that I pray for certain doors to be shut that should be shut to not lead me into temptation. Due to the fact that this industry is a business and the bottom line is the paycheck at the end of the day, it can be tempting to take jobs which you know compromise your moral integrity. But, that is not what has brought you this far, God has, so we should honor him. My theory is if you turn down a job today for God, that he will open an even bigger one for you down the road. I have experienced that first hand numerous times and I just love it!

My favorite quote of the night was from TC Stallings who you may have seen in the movie Courageous as well as the winner of King of the Jungle on Animal Planet. He said “Consult The Man who made the plan, for prayer is the key to success.” I fully believe that with all I have and I hope that is at least one tip we can pass on to the future models and talent that we encounter while being here.

Competing at AMTC in the Fashion Runway category in Summer 2010

In store for me today is another seminar which is a Question & Answer session including all the guest speakers sitting on stage  with the aspiring people competing at this convention being allowed to ask whatever questions they would like. Afterwards is an autograph session for the guest speakers to get to know the competitors personally. Then on Sunday, I’ll do my final duties around the resort where AMTC is held here in Orlando,  and then fly back to KY to prepare for another week of my grad school clinicals. Thankfully, last week (my first week of grad school clinicals) went very smoothly and my clients are all sweethearts. I’m looking forward to today and praying for God to shape the words from my mouth so I can make a difference in the lives of those I speak to as well as to learn a great deal myself. Although this short weekend trip may offset my sleeping schedule as far as preparing for Monday goes, (I see a serious nap coming Monday afternoon!!) I believe this may be just what I need for rejuvenation and renewed energy to enter back into the modeling world after my month of clinicals with the ‘go get  ‘em’ attitude to bring more people to Christ in the modeling and acting industry.

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