the audience as the “Heaven scene”
an advocate for another child. And
unfolded. People who had never been
then another. And another. Within a
had a setback of his own when an
to church before began to flock to The
few years, Lori had sponsored children
unexpected hip surgery derailed his
Thorn just to see the spectacle they
on nearly every continent. In 2013 she
path to the Olympic trials. Then came
couldn’t believe was part of a church
and Tom went on a trip to northern
the next big chapter of their lives
production. For the next twelve years,
Thailand to visit two of their “adopted”
together, one that would eventually
The Thorn would engage hundreds of
children and were overwhelmed with
lead them on a crash course with The
young gymnasts, dancers and martial
a desire to do even more. Now, with a
Thorn.
artists to help tell God’s story. Lori has
renewed vision to both disciple young
worked hard to bring new wonder to
athletes as well as advocate on behalf
Thirty-one years ago, with little more
The Thorn by introducing performers
of the least of these, Lori has found
than a dream, Tom and Lori opened
on dance shoes, straps, silks, wires,
herself smack dab in the middle of
Aerials Gymnastics in Colorado Springs
trampolines and more.
God’s greater story.
of Olympic hopefuls. Over the years,
You’d think that the legacy of helping
A Place for You
Tom and Lori have had the privilege to
athletes and artists use their gifting
So what does this mean for you? It
train, disciple and work with numerous
as part of The Thorn was enough. But
means there’s a place for you in God’s
young athletes who have been part
God had yet another chapter in store
story that will give your life incredible
of the Olympic process as well as
for Lori. In 2011, after much prayer,
depth, texture and meaning. There
thousands of regular kids, just needing
The Thorn team decided that there
are so many ways for you to jump into
some inspiration. Eventually, Tom was
was something we’d left out in the
the pages of His story. Find a small
pegged by USA Gymnastics to help
presentation of the Gospel. We felt
group and discover new community.
coach the coaches of some of our best
like we were missing the second half
Volunteer to live beyond yourself at
(The Thorn : Episode 2 Continued)
and began to train a steady stream
of the Great Commission.
athletes. Lori wondered if
this would be the extent
of their impact around the
world. Not even close.
In 2002, after seeing
the power of movement
arts in a Cirque du Soleil
show, I was determined
to