Growing up in urban Chicago as the youngest of five children, Burton was not raised in a Christian home. In order to avoid the pressures of making fast money by selling drugs, he surrounded himself with sports. He played, trained and lived basketball, football and baseball.

Lettering in all three sports, he lived for years in the limelight that sports provided. “I didn’t think I could do any wrong because I was a hero on the sports field,” Burton said.

Bob Eshmann, a fellow student and later a close friend, noticed something about Burton. As a leader in their high school’s FCA Huddle, Eshmann consistently invited Burton to Huddle meetings, Bible studies, camping trips and basketball camps. This initiated his involvement with FCA. Burton recalled, “Eshmann had such a zeal for Christ that he just drew you in.”

But, even though Burton participated in FCA, he did not give his life over to God. Despite his faithfulness to the organization, he lacked a commitment to its core foundation: Christ. Eshmann persisted and continued to evangelize to Burton for eight years. He invited Burton to Christian events, followed up to see how he was doing and developed a close bond with him.

“I think I was scared and wanted to live in the limelight,” Burton said. “I was making decisions on my own at that time. I never really made the commitment to Christ. I didn’t have a direction in life.

“The seed that was planted is what helped me to understand Christ. I’m a Christian now because Eshmann did what he’s supposed to do.”

At 23, Burton realized what he was missing in life, and finally made the lasting decision to follow Christ. By this time, he had joined the Marine Corps and was a single father. Upon having his son, Craig Jr., he had to relinquish some of the goals that he had set for himself.  

“Being a single father is one thing, but being a single father without Christ is another thing,” Burton said. “It was very difficult. It had its up’s and down’s, and I didn’t have the balance that God provides.

“The burden was great. I wanted to carry it for myself for a while until I came to the realization that I needed Christ in my life. Things really turned around after I gave my life over to Christ. When you begin to know Christ, life begins. Since then, God has done wonderful things for me.”

Burton got married in 2000 and asked Eshmann to serve as his best man. Even though Burton had a closer friend who could have filled the role, he felt that Eshmann deserved the position. Eshmann had influenced his life.

Eshmann’s impact on Burton’s life was a catalyst in Burton’s being available and faithful in leading youth to Christ. He even volunteered to take a group of kids on a Colorado trip with Eshmann. So when his son was a first-time camper at an FCA summer basketball camp, being a Camp Huddle leader seemed ideal.

“I love being a dad; I really love being a dad,” he said. “It really has taught me to be selfless.”

Burton did not want to just send his son to camp, he wanted to be there with him. By serving as a Huddle Leader, Burton could do that and have the opportunity to impact the lives of other youth.  

“Because of Craig Jr.’s love for sports and my love for God,” he said, “I definitely felt the impact of what FCA did for me. FCA is a great vehicle to meet people where they are, just like Christ meets people where they are. I thought that FCA would be a perfect example to keep Craig Jr. humble when he has successes and keep him going when he has downfalls.”

As Burton strives to be a positive influence for his sons, Craig Jr. and 3-year-old Cray, he remembers who impacted him the most. Although it was God who saved him, it was friend and FCA Huddle Leader Eshmann who was obedient to the call of Christ to be an influence.