Things were not always easy for Ethan and his two siblings, growing up with a single mother. There were times when it was difficult to make ends meet, and the family would find themselves relying on government assistance, moving around a lot, living without electricity or staying in a hotel for a time while their mom figured out next steps. Though there were tough times, Ethan held the word “joy” close to his heart, making it his motto. 

Ethan grew up in the church, joking that his mother sent him to every Vacation Bible School in the city just to get a break from him! While he knew who Jesus was, he says he really didn’t come to fully know Jesus until years later at The Salvation Army Carolina’s Music Conservatory. Ethan says, “I still remember. It was a Sunday morning at the end of service. I was sitting alone in my seat, praying, when a close friend came up to pray over me. It was the first time I felt the presence of God within me. I will never forget that feeling.”

Ethan credits that close friend, Lt. Sam Mhasvi, for showing him what it meant to be a godly man and always pushing him to be better. Others within  The Salvation Army have helped shape him as well. 

“The impact The Salvation Army has had on my life is second only to what God has done. There have been many leaders, mentors, and people I call family who have influenced me. They saw potential in me before I even knew what the word potential meant.”

As a child, Ethan was taught to open as many doors as possible. He is doing just that, currently at college, studying music and software development as well as playing rugby. As a busy collegiate athlete, he still manages to be active within The Salvation Army. He attends the Greenwood, SC corps, plays in the corps band and praise band, plays euphonium in the Carolina Divisional Band and the Divisional and Territorial Youth Bands, sings in the Divisional Youth Chorus, and works during the summers at the same camp that gave him purpose as a young kid: the Carolina Music and Arts Conservatory at Camp Walter Johnson. 

And he does it all with joy!