Local man discovers budding ministry speaking to teens across country about bullying, substance abuse and God
NOVI — Kevin Szawala isn’t a parent, but he knows what’s on the hearts and minds of young people. Szawala is a youth speaker who talks to children from kindergarten through high school about bullying, suicide prevention, diversity, kindness, and substance abuse awareness.
Szawala, 33, didn’t start out with an intention to work with youth, much less to be a speaker.
Now, however, he’s known as “Mr. Peace” by children and young adults all over the country.
The nickname was given to him by his fellow students at the University of Michigan for his work organizing an annual P.E.A.C.E. (Promoting Ethnic And Cultural Equality) Day every Sept. 21, designated as the International Day of Peace by the United Nations.
Before his senior year in college, Szawala attended a 3-day “Challenge Day” workshop, which caused him to think differently about his purpose in life. He went on to finish his undergraduate degree in economics and then obtained his M.B.A. from Wayne State University.
Szawala secured a good job in the corporate world, yet he felt a calling to more meaningful work. He was given an opportunity to present a motivational talk to his sister’s class at South Lyon High School, an experience that went exceptionally well. The response to his message was positive, and Szawala was asked to talk to another class, then another, and eventually at a school assembly.
Word was out about "Mr. Peace," and schools in the area were contacting him to talk to their students. Eventually, he took a leap of faith and resigned from his corporate job to allow more flexibility for his speaking. He also began working part time as a youth minister at his home parish, St. Joseph in South Lyon, later serving in those same roles for St. James Parish in Novi and St. Mary Parish in Milford.
“With youth ministry, I got to know people in a closer setting, so I was able to really listen to kids and their concerns,” Szawala told Detroit Catholic. “It helped me grow in my speaking skills and gave me ideas for my talks.”
In August, Szawala stopped serving as a youth minister to devote 100 percent of his time to his speaking ministry. He’s given talks almost every week since then — in 20 states at more than 1,000 schools, churches, colleges and youth clubs. He’s driven thousands of miles, sometimes with his wife of three years, Samantha.
His presentations consist of his hip-hop music, some humor, video clips, and Szawala sharing his own heart.
Both public and private schools invite him to give assemblies. When speaking at a Catholic school, Szawala focuses on the Catholic response to bullying.
“I use Scripture in my talks,” he said. “I like John 15:13, which tells us there’s no greater love than to lay down one’s life for a friend, and other verses that talk about seeing people for their hearts and being hope for the hopeless.”
When not presenting at a Catholic school, Szawala wears a cross as a witness to his faith in an attempt to break down barriers.
Without fail, dozens of young people from his audiences line up after each talk with tears in their eyes, wanting to share their pain with Szawala.
“For some, it’s their parents’ divorce, or bullying in school, or drugs in the family,” Szawala said. “These kids feel so alone. If our savior needed help carrying his cross, what does that say about us? We all need each other, and we all have a Father who never leaves us.”
“For some, it’s their parents’ divorce, or bullying in school, or drugs in the family,” Szawala said. “These kids feel so alone. If our savior needed help carrying his cross, what does that say about us? We all need each other, and we all have a Father who never leaves us.”
Szawala wants every person in the room at his presentations to know that he or she is a miracle.
“I remind them that they matter,” Szawala said. “I tell them, ‘If I can change your heart in 25 minutes, think of the impact you can have on the world in this lifetime.’ I can’t guarantee the bullying will stop when I leave these places, but I can guarantee the response will change by the kids who are listening and open.”
People who are hurting want to hurt other people, Szawala believes. If those people can heal through love shown to them, then they’ll want to heal others and show love in return.
“I tell them, ‘Think about an injustice in the world that you want to fix and then live your life to do it,’” he said. “That’s what Christ wants for us: passion and purpose for his glory.”
Szawala does his own booking through his website and works with several booking agencies, including Mobile Ed Productions and Catholic Speakers Organization. To book a “Mr. Peace” assembly or talk, or learn more, visit www.mrpeace.org.
