Daily Inspiration: Meet Erskine C. Johnson III

Today we’d like to introduce you to Erskine C. Johnson III.

Hi Erskine C., can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
My journey has been one of triumph over adversity and a testament to the power of passion and purpose. I’m a Country/Hood Carolina kid from Bucksport, South Carolina, and from an early age my life was marked by resilience. I survived a life-threatening asthma attack and pneumonia, experiences that, though challenging, helped set the foundation for the path I would ultimately walk.

I was first drawn to football at the age of seven, chasing the dream of reaching the NFL and following in the footsteps of family members who had gone before me. However, my plans took an unexpected turn after two significant injuries prematurely ended my college football career. Still, I refused to be deterred. During high school, my naturally captivating presence led me to explore acting, and what began as curiosity quickly ignited a passion that would redefine my future as a calling.

That journey into acting led to a breakthrough role on BET’s acclaimed series The Game, where I portrayed a San Diego Saber for two seasons. That opportunity allowed me to showcase my talent, discipline, and dedication to the craft. Transitioning from the field to the stage and eventually in front of the camera, I embraced my calling wholeheartedly after graduating Cum Laude from THEE South Carolina State University. Since then, I’ve had the privilege of working across films, music videos, stage plays, commercials, and television, including projects such as Tyler Perry’s The Haves and the Have Nots, If Loving You Is Wrong, and an upcoming feature film starring Will Ferrell, Zac Efron, and Regina Hall titled Judgement Day.

Driven by a deep sense of calling, I founded my own company, M2TI-Ministry 2 The Industry, an organization created to merge ministry with all industries. Through M2TI, we provide spiritual solutions for secular spaces, impacting education, entertainment, and extracurricular arenas with messages rooted in faith, truth, and compassion. We bring anointed alignment in these areas so our clients can experience true transformation in their respective fields.

Beyond my artistic work, I’ve spent over a decade in full-time ministry, serving in pastoral leadership, mentoring, and guiding individuals through Victory Church in Atlanta, Georgia. Service has always been at the core of who I am. As I step into the next chapter of my journey, I remain committed to fulfilling the Great Commission, going out and spreading the Good News of Jesus Christ to all nations until all have heard.

I’ve been honored for my work across multiple fields, including induction into the South Carolina Theatre Hall of Fame and receiving the Journey Award for Entertainment. My career spans achievements in both football and television, including national and conference championships, Player of the Game honors, Team Captain recognition, all-star appearances, and a memorable role in the Emmy and Golden Globe-winning series Atlanta, created by Donald Glover.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
If it were smooth, everybody would do it. It most certainly hasn’t been but I’m thankful for that, because the difficulty built an endurance in me that I now communicate through my transformational talks.

Stepping out on faith as a full-time entrepreneur was the first major fear I had to overcome. What you see now is the fruit of obedience. You often feel like you have to have everything figured out, but honestly, much of my journey has been figuring it out as I go. I didn’t have all the answers, I just had enough understanding and faith to take the first step, then the second step. Now, going on two years full-time, I can see how the struggles have become my success.

I didn’t have a full understanding of business. I saw things from the outside looking in, recognizing the potential of opportunities, even when those opportunities didn’t always become reality. So what do you do when you hear “no”? What do you do when the bills start creeping up and you don’t have the resources? For me, it’s been faith, trusting the process and believing that if God called me to it, He would see me through it.

I left something comfortable to step into something VERY uncomfortable, especially when it didn’t make sense to others. I had to base my movement on the Maker, not man. And I would make that decision again and again if I had to.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
My work is multifaceted. I am the Founder and CEO of M2TI-Ministry 2 the Industry, an organization that provides life coaching, consulting, and strategic communication across multiple industries. Our three primary areas of focus are Education, Entertainment, and Extracurricular Activities.

In the education space, we deliver keynotes, school assemblies, and classroom-based transformational talks for students of all ages. We also provide leadership training and development sessions for teachers, coaches, administrators, and principals, helping them lead with clarity, purpose, and impact.

In entertainment, we primarily offer consulting for entertainers, athletes, actors, musicians, and other creatives. Our work includes helping individuals navigate challenges within their industry, as well as supporting them in cultivating an authentic relationship with Jesus while stewarding their influence. In addition, we serve as a creative curator and actively participate in projects as a executive producer, director, and actor.

Within extracurricular activities, we focus on character and mindset coaching. We work with sports teams during practices or before games, and we speak at clubs, programs, and conferences. Our topics include Identifying Your Identity, Embracing Emotional Excellence, Cultivating a Transformative Mindset, Building “Bounce Back” Through Perseverance, and Discovering Purpose and Passion Through Pivots.

Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
The most important lesson I’ve learned is that obedience opens opportunities. Saying yes to what you are called to do no matter what you see around you or how you feel creates space for things to unfold in ways you could never plan. Staying obedient has been the key to watching purpose turn into progress.

You don’t have to be the smartest or the most experienced. What matters most is whether you are willing to say yes and keep that yes when everything around you is telling you no. In those moments, you must remind yourself why you said yes in the first place and keep that reason at the forefront.

There will be times when you want to give up, but that’s when you have to stand firm and stay D.O.W.N! Be DETERMINED in your purpose, OBEDIENT in your actions, WISE in your thinking, and NECESSARY for to the call placed on your life.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.m2ti.org
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamecj3/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/iamecj3/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ecj3/
• Twitter: https://x.com/IAmECJ3
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@IAmECJ3
• Other: https://www.m2ti.org/donate

Image Credits
Anthony Daniels, Ira Carmicheal, Daron Cooper, and Royce Dates Jr.