Racing Background:

You might assume that being born in Detroit in 1961 had something to do with Steve Shippy’s love of wheels, and it probably did. However in this case, we’re not talking automobiles, but Motocross (MX), skateboarding and other extreme sports. At the age of 7, Shippy’s family moved to Southern California, where Steve’s older brother introduced him to MX racing. Steve soon won his first competition at El Toro Raceway, and was hooked. The thrill of racing, competition and risk had him competing regularly after that. He trained five days a week, for over ten years; at California’s most infamous tracks like Saddleback and Carlsbad. He became a pro MX racer at 14, and by 16 was top rider in the National Motor Sport Association, (NMA). At the age of 16, Steve captured the #1 plate racing against top pros Jeff Ward, Rick Johnson and Jim Holley. Steve had the good fortune of training with international racer and champion Gary Semics, who placed many times in the top 10 in World Class MX competition.

From 1982 through ‘86, Steve struggled with serious physical injuries but was back in form in late ’86. He was in the top ranks at the CMC Golden State Nationals when he suffered additional injuries. Since then, his focus on racing has changed from competing to training, although he still competes in ‘Vet Pro’ races.

Steve wanted to combine his love of extreme sports as well as his understanding of and loyalty to sports and sponsors with a higher purpose in life. He wanted to take thirty-five years of experience in pro sports and team competition to show mechanics, trainers, parents and others how to relate to the professional rider and the youth. Extreme sports have proven to be an outlet that lets Steve combine this passion with an introduction to Christianity for those who might never have the exposure.

Through Motocross and, more recently, the sport of Skateboarding, Zoo World Ministries was established. ZWM is a five-year-old nonprofit religious organization and Christian outreach that is multidimensional. Its purpose is to reach youth (and the young at heart) using extreme sports while incorporating a positive (777) alternative to the many dark (666) images that abound in many extreme sports. Not many local facilities or programs offer teens Christian-based options. Zoo World Ministries counteracts this lack by offering programs and services like:

  • MX schools and private MX training with qualified team trainers
  • MX event coordination, attendance, sponsorship, demonstrations and races
  • Clothing line design, manufacturing and distribution
  • Skateboard line (777 Skateboards) design, manufacturing and distribution
  • Biblical studies and teaching

Zoo World Ministries currently offers MX schools at local shops and tracks, incorporating Bible study, as well as physical and nutritional instruction through a licensed medical doctor. At this time, ZWM is in the beginning stages of developing a Sports Camp that will offer further instruction in Motocross and Skateboarding, and additional extreme sports such as Mountain Biking and BMX. ZWM seeks multi-acreages of land in Southern California for the development of their Sports Camp.