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Portrait of Steve Lillis.

Legacy

Steve “Leapin” LillisFounder of Gospel Trick Shot Ministries, Inc.

A professional player who put a cue stick to work for the gospel, and carried that work from local churches to campuses and billiard rooms around the world.

Steve founded Gospel Trick Shot Ministries, Inc. He has retired from the ministry, and Wayne Parker now serves as president.

How it began

The founder

A cue stick, and a burden for young people.

Steve Lillis accepted Jesus Christ at the age of eleven, at a Christian Stockade summer camp. In his first year of college he chose pool and, in his own words, put God on hold.

The nickname “Leapin” stayed with him from those playing years. He became a state champion in Colorado, Georgia, Tennessee, and Florida, a United States Navy champion, and a top-10 finisher at world championships in 8-ball, 9-ball, and 14.1. He played the professional tour from 1975 to 1985, and returned to the tour in 2000.

In 1985, at age 34, he rededicated his life to the Lord Jesus Christ and returned with a desire to serve.

College campuses became the initial platform to reach young people. His constant prayer was, “Dear precious Lord, use me.”

From the archive

Moments that shaped the ministry.

A look back at the people, events and encounters in Gospel Trick Shot’s story.

  • Steve Lillis leans over a blue pool table with a cue in his hand.
  • Portrait of Steve Lillis smiling in a navy jacket.
  • Steve Lillis smiles with his arms on a pool table. The graphic includes the words of Matthew 6:33.
  • Steve Lillis stands between his daughters, Amanda and Sarah.
    Steve Lillis' daughters Amanda and Sarah. They both are growing into fine young ladies. Both have worked in a Christian Summer Camp called Top O' the Hill and have helped their Dad run neighborhood Bible Clubs. They also have assisted in many GTS presentations with Dad.
  • Steve Lillis with his arm around his mother, Ellie.
    Steve Lillis' Mom Ellie who frequently attends many of the GTS presentations and is an inspiration to all involved with GTS. Ellie raised four children in the Church and taught them about the Lord.
  • People stand at a small pool table while an audience watches and banners hang behind them.

A dated path

Milestones along the way.

Steve has retired from the ministry, and Wayne Parker now serves as president.

Two of his books tell more of the story in his own words.Steve’s books

  1. 1975–1985

    Ten years on the Professional Billiards Tour. State champion in Colorado, Georgia, Tennessee, and Florida, with top-10 finishes at world championships in 8-ball, 9-ball, and 14.1.

  2. 1985

    At age 34, rededicated his life to the Lord Jesus Christ and returned with a desire to serve.

  3. 1986

    Earned a B.S. in Economics from the University of Tennessee in Chattanooga.

  4. Fall 1997

    College tours began with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship on northern New Jersey campuses.

  5. June 8, 1998

    Gospel Trick Shot Ministries, Inc. was incorporated. That same year he completed an M.A. in Education at St. Peter’s College.

  6. August 1998

    The first major public Gospel Trick Shot show, at the Hawthorne Gospel Church Summer Bible Conference.

  7. 2000

    Commissioned as a missionary with Hawthorne Gospel Church. The GTS team also began appearing at the BCA National Eight Ball Championship and Expo. Steve returned to the professional tour in 2000.

  8. 2001–2004

    Served as Chairman of the World Pool and Billiard Association Artistic Pool Division.

  9. December 2006

    His life story aired on the 700 Club. The program was broadcast again in 2007.

  10. 2013

    But You Must! The Steve Lillis Story was published by Gospel Trick Shot Ministries, Inc.

  11. May 2019

    What’s That in Your Hand? The Gospel Trick Shot Story was published.

The work continues

See what Gospel Trick Shot is doing today.

The same invitation still goes out from the table: astonishing shots, an honest word, and a chance to consider Jesus Christ.

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