Tyler Spradling

the Spradling family

Who is my hero? He’s not the most famous guy in the world, and he may not have the most money, but he’s one of the most important people in my life. Tyler Spradling is my youth minister at Tusculum Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Tyler was born on October 1st. He and his wife, Brittany, have one beautiful little girl named Elizabeth. He has only lived in Nashville for about 8 years. Tyler spends most of his time working with the kids in his youth group. He works with kids in grades 7th to 12th. He is always having the youth group helping people, whether it’s cooking dinner at the Ronald McDonald House or serving dinner at the Nashville Rescue Mission, he is always finding ways for us to be helping others. Tyler might get frustrated with the youth group at times, but he never stops loving and caring about us. He has a lesson about everything; even if we don’t really want to hear it, he stills tells us his opinion. He tries to make things better for everyone else, no matter what. Tyler puts everyone before himself, which is a pretty amazing sacrifice. Many times I have heard people say that being a youth minister is an easy job, and those people couldn’t be more wrong. He dedicates his time, talents, and himself to help others around him. He’s always in the crowds at sporting events if his kids are playing. He always asks for schedules if anyone in the youth group plays a sport. Tyler tries to make everything fun, which makes you want to pay attention more, so in turn, you learn more. I love talking to Tyler because I know that he is really listening to me. I don’t think that, wait; I know that I have never met a man more dedicated to helping out his youth group or other people around him than Tyler.

Tyler has helped many people, but what he has done for me is absolutely amazing. When I first asked Christ into my life, I really didn’t know Tyler that well, but after a few years of getting to know him, I can now come to him about any kind of problem. He has done so much in my life. He has talked me through problems with my older brother and my family. Tyler gives the best advice and it’s not just made up, it’s real, Godly advice. If I ever want the truth about something, I know that I can go to him for it. There aren’t many people who have honestly helped me as a Christian, but he has definitely helped me and taught me so many different lessons. He is important to me because he always there as soon as I need him.

Another thing about Tyler is that he is very modest. When I told him that I was writing a paper about him being my hero, he told me that I needed to raise my standards of a hero. I told him that my standards were right where they need to be. He has taught me so much in my walk as a Christian, that I know I would be completely lost without him. I honestly don’t think that I would be where I am today if he wasn’t here to guide me. I thank God each and every night for putting him into my life. Tyler is one of the greatest people I know. He has changed my life in so many ways. Without him, life as I know it now would not be the same in any way.