Scott MacIntyre

Featured Keynote Programs

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” - Jeremiah 29:11 This verse became a mainstay during many difficult trials in Scott’s life. In many instances, he had no choice but to trust that God had a plan for his life, even when life itself seemed impossible. He believes that when all is said and done, God’s plan is better than anything we can imagine. God uses our successes and failures, our hardships and triumphs to mold us into the people He desires us to be. Scott’s testimony will help you trust God for your future, no matter where you find yourself today.

Whether physical, emotional, or spiritual, we all face challenges in life, and at times they seem insurmountable. We are reluctant to take a step toward our challenges into the unknown because we can’t see where our feet will land, but God calls us to walk by faith, not by sight. He is strong in our weakness, and he is faithful to uphold us as we trust in Him. Scott didn’t know how he would learn to play the piano without being able to see the sheet music. He didn’t know how he would ever make music again if he was tied to a dialysis chair day after day. He certainly didn’t know how he would connect with American Idol viewers if he couldn’t even see the TV cameras. But where God led him, he followed, trusting that God would fill in the gaps along the way.

At 19 years old, Scott dealt with the overwhelming reality of undiagnosed end-stage kidney failure. After 2 years of searching for answers, undergoing dialysis, and watching his dreams fall farther and farther out of reach, the wife of a former piano teacher donated her kidney to Scott and saved his life. It was less than a year later that Scott auditioned for American Idol. Scott draws a striking parallel between his piano teacher’s wife giving up her kidney and Jesus giving up His life for each of us. When we truly understand how much Christ gave up for our sakes, how can we respond but by giving generously to others?

Growing up with a disability, Scott had a significant choice to make: to be caught up in the disappointment of his situation and have a negative attitude toward life, or to focus on what he could do in spite of his blindness and choose to see the silver lining behind every cloud. Unable to play contact sports as a child, confined to a dialysis chair as a 19 year old, discriminated against, and even rejected by American Idol before later becoming an American Idol finalist, Scott has always maintained a positive attitude. It’s easy to be grateful to God when life is going our way, but it’s hard to be grateful when the world seems to be coming apart at every turn. Scott will challenge you to find God’s blessings hidden in life’s darkest hours and show you what the beauty in life is all about.

Scott has never let others’ mediocre expectations dictate his accomplishments. He has worked tirelessly toward his goals and never settled for less, even when the chances for success were slim. Whether in pursuit of the Marshall, Fulbright, and Rhodes scholarships, or as 1 out of 110,000 American Idol hopefuls, he has consistently emerged as one of the few to defy all odds and lead by shining example in his personal, educational, and professional endeavors alike. Scott will challenge you to cultivate your God-given talents and abilities and be the very best you can be.