When I was seven years old, my family moved from Ohio to Guatemala to be full-time missionaries. The first three years in the mission field we spent serving Mayan people in remote villages in the heart of Guatemala. In that missionary school, my love for competitive sports started to develop. My dad, being a very … Read more

When the COVID-19 pandemic first started, I was comforted by Psalm 112:4-5, which says, “Even in darkness light dawns for the upright, for those who are gracious and compassionate. Good will come to those who are generous and lend freely, who conduct their affairs with justice.” I am looking for the collateral beauty that will … Read more

I never knew my sport would open a door for a collegiate scholarship for me. As one of four children, I didn’t know how I’d be able to afford a higher education. I simply loved running track and competing in hurdles; I figured I’d do that until I had to get a traditional job. It … Read more

My life changed completely during the 2012 London Olympics — that was when I learned about Jesus. Someone came inside the Olympic village to pray and share the Word of God with us. In the past, I did everything in my own strength, which can be a heavy burden. But when I met Jesus and … Read more

Getting to where I have come in my rugby career took a lot of hard work and training. I’m thankful for all of my father’s teaching and support. As a pastor, my father taught me that with hard work and faith in Jesus Christ, nothing is impossible. I’ve seen that come to fruition in my … Read more

At the age of 4, I lost my mother to cancer. I was left confused, angry and with a drive to go on with life on my own. The only person I thought I could count on was myself. For 20 years, I tried everything I thought would bring me happiness and pleasure. Success in … Read more

I was 8 years old and competing in my first sports meet when a pastor gave my parents a word from the Lord about me. This pastor was visiting Sri Lanka, and though I was too young to understand what she was talking about, my parents held onto what she said: that one day I … Read more

My parents are from Bulgaria, and we moved to the U.S. when I was four. They tried to teach us good morals, but they had been burned by the church in the communist experience. In my (high school) years, I was outspoken against Christ, and I would get in trouble and curse a lot. During … Read more

How does my personal relationship with Jesus Christ affect my athletics? It makes a huge difference knowing that God loves you unconditionally. Even if you win or lose, He loves you! The biggest thing that happened in my sport for me was to realize that my identity is not in tennis anymore. Whether I win … Read more

Speed skating — at any step along the way, I could have given up. I could have quietly packed my bags and headed home. Just another athlete who woke up and saw the folly of an Olympic dream, I had every reason in the world to quit. But how could I explain that I was giving … Read more