Skateboarding legend Sean Sheffey has long been known for his impact on skateboarding, but today he is equally known for something even more personal, his faith.
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Sheffey told Deseret News that he’s become a devoted member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, and it has completely changed the way he lives.
The story began in 2023 at a skatepark in Encinitas, California. Sheffey was taking a break when two missionaries approached him and asked if they could pray with him.
At that time, he admitted he had drifted away from prayer and Bible study. Still, he felt ready to welcome God back into his life, so he agreed. That small moment turned into something much bigger.
The missionaries asked if they could meet again at the same park the following week to read scriptures together.
When the time came, Sheffey made sure he was there. Week after week he returned, open to what they had to share.
For the missionaries, it was clear he had a sincere heart. One of them, Jeff Williams, later said that Sean’s life experiences had prepared him to embrace the gospel and that his caring nature shone through from the very beginning.
Faith had always been present in Sheffey’s life. He grew up in a Christian home, attending both Christian and Baptist churches with his family.
Even as a young pro skater, he carried a Bible with him, something not many skaters were known to do. His path was not without struggles.
He battled alcohol and drug use and spent time in jail and prison. Yet even there he found hope through prayer circles and Bible study groups organized by other inmates.
Today, he has been sober for almost seventeen years.
By the time he met the missionaries in Encinitas, he was already looking for a way to live differently. The teachings of Jesus Christ gave him clarity and purpose.
He was especially drawn to the idea of continuing the teachings of Christ through the church and felt a responsibility to live according to them.
When he first attended a church service, he unexpectedly ran into Jordy Collins, the son of his longtime friend Daren Collins.
The reunion felt meaningful, and soon Daren joined Sheffey in the lessons with the missionaries. Over time, their discussions moved from the skatepark to the church meetinghouse. There, Sheffey was introduced more deeply to the concept of baptism.
At first he hesitated. He wanted to be sure that he could live up to the promises that came with baptism.
Then one day, after hearing a heartfelt testimony from Daren, he felt ready. In January 2024, Sheffey was baptized. He described the experience as cleansing and uplifting, a step that brought him closer to God.
The day was memorable not just for Sean but for everyone who witnessed it. Some of his friends were so touched that they decided to be baptized as well.
His example later inspired his nephew, who also joined the church after being approached by missionaries.
A year later, Sheffey was inducted into the Skateboarding Hall of Fame, something he had been waiting on for years. For him, the recognition was more than just a career achievement.
He believes his decision to join the church prepared him for that moment, calling it a blessing from God.
Members of his church community even traveled from Encinitas to Simi Valley to support him at the ceremony.
Today, Sheffey makes it a priority to attend church every week and to serve faithfully. Early in his conversion he struggled to balance Sunday worship with his love of surfing, but now he chooses to be present every week and even helps bless the sacrament.
His friends say that he not only listened to what was taught but also put it into practice in his everyday life.
For Sheffey, the change is about more than religion. He says it has given him a deeper love for others, more trust in people, and the strength to face each day with hope.
Looking forward, he hopes to be remembered as a man of faith who loved God and wanted the same for his family.
“I think by the time I pass, I would like to have it clear that I wanted to be here responsibly, and I was a religious and God loving man and wanted the same for my children and grandchildren,” he said.
From carrying a Bible during his early skateboarding days to embracing baptism later in life, Sheffey has found a new way to define his legacy through faith, family, and his devotion to Jesus Christ.