Henry Rojas to speak in chapel

After many years of being known as “The Gorilla,” the mascot for the Phoenix Suns basketball team, Henry Rojas has taken off his costume to inspire audiences as a spiritual director and counselor. Rojas will speak at Northwestern College’s chapel service on Monday, Nov. 8, at 10:05 a.m. and Tuesday, Nov. 9, at 11:05 a.m. The public is invited to attend.

“The Gorilla” traveled around the world to entertain fans and performed at two NBA all-star games, all without ever speaking a word. In 1989 Rojas took off the mask to capture audiences with his motivational messages. He now speaks at retreats, seminars, workshops and special events. 

He founded Lifestories Inc. to encourage others as they take off the “masks” used to hide their God-given identity. Rojas explains, “We no longer need to live cautiously and fearfully, trapped inside a mask of identity and defined by what we do instead of who we are.”

“He grapples with the issues of implementing grace and how to live with who we are in Christ, right here, right now, following the abandonment of our performance-based identities,” says Northwestern College senior Chelsey Bohr, who met Rojas in 2006. “Henry’s captivating, comedic style vividly illustrates points that resonate clearly the concept of identity in Christ with individuals of all walks of life.”