Chris Kellum {Life}

Happy Saturday everyone!
We hope you had an excellent Thanksgiving and are heading into the holiday season surrounded by joy and your loved ones! We got the opportunity to chat with the incredibly inspirational Chris Kellum. Chris is the author Igniting Your Purpose, a worship leader at Bellwether Church in Jackson, and the executive director of Ignite Sports. We are so inspired by his positivity and hope that his words leave you a little bit more inspired to be your best self on this lovely Saturday afternoon.

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{Tell us a little bit about you!}

I grew up in Jackson and after college (Ole Miss) I came home and spent years in the Medical Sales industry. I’ve been married to Polly for almost 24 years and we have 3 kids. Our oldest daughter Riley (22) is in her senior at Belmont University in Nashville. Our son Reed (17) and daughter Anna (15) are both at Prep.

At 38 and in the prime of my career, I was put on Long-Term Disability after 8 back surgeries and this devastated me. I ended up in full time ministry as worship leader for Bellwether Church and Executive Director for Ignite Sports. Since then I’ve had more surgeries and procedures but it was through this process that I discovered my purpose in life. It’s what I refer to as my journey from pain to purpose.

This journey continues to teach me so much and one of the most powerful lessons I’ve learned is your circumstances do not define who you are.

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{Tell us a little bit about what you’re up to now.}

I recently wrote a book called Igniting Your Purpose and started a company, Kellum Brothers, with my twin brother Kevin. Our “Why” is creating cultures of purpose and alignment and we are passionate about it because we believe there’s “greatness” inside everyone and it’s found in your “Why.” We use a highly effective system we developed called the AAA Strategy of Awareness, Approach and Attack to walk through this process.  


{What do you like most about your work?}

For years I’ve had men and women of all ages and backgrounds come to me asking what their purpose is in life and I’m often blown away because I assumed they knew. I’ve heard it from 10 year old inner city kids to a 70 year old multi-millionaires. In fact, at some point in our lives, everyone will ask that question.
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I’m a man of faith and I believe God created you, has a plan for you and placed you here on earth at this exact moment in time for “such a time as this.” To me, there’s nothing more exciting than a person who takes this journey and discovers their Why because when people and businesses allow their “Why” to drive them and filter everything they do then amazing things tend to follow. That’s the greatness I’m talking about and it’s contagious to be around because it breeds fulfillment in our lives.
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The Kellum Family

{Who inspires you?}
I’m inspired by anyone with the courage to “take a stand” for what they believe in and have the courage to live their Why! At Ignite Sports we work with young teenage men and we have this saying…”Make a decision and have the guts to get it done.” I’ve watched these young men live by this and display a courage on and off the field that truly inspires me daily. I’m inspired by the men and women of our US military, first responders and public servants.

{What motivates you on a daily basis?}
My motivation is my Why and I wake up each day excited to help someone discover and become who God created them to be!!

{What's one piece of advice you would give to someone trying to achieve their goals?}
Let your Why be what drives you, put together the approach needed and attack that approach by removing “barriers” that cause you to lose focus. Greatness is in the details and we often allow the details of our lives to cause us to lose focus and keep us from our greatness. That’s why we must follow a plan and be willing to do the things necessary to limit our distractions.

Some simple things that work for me are the 50/10 rule of working 50 minutes of each hour then 10 minutes off for other things. I also make a point to run my schedule instead of it running me. I’ve learned that being “reactionary” limits one’s productivity.

I believe happiness is a choice that we must make daily!!


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Chris will be signing copies of his book  Ignite Your Purpose at Lemuria (Banner Hall in Jackson) on December 13th from 5-7. Make sure to stop by and pick up a copy for yourself or one of your loved ones this holiday season. 

Ignite Your Purpose will be available for purchase in Lemuria on Monday, December 3rd and in Barnes and Noble by the first of January 2019.