Liberty University students heard testimonies from author and disability advocate Katherine Wolf on Nov. 13, and a panel of contestants from “American Ninja Warrior” on Nov. 15.
With Veterans Day on Nov. 11, and the Marine Corps’ birthday on Nov. 10, attendees stood for the national anthem before worship on Wednesday’s Convocation. Each branch of the military and those who have and are currently serving were recognized, along with military families. To celebrate the 249th anniversary of the Marine Corps, a traditional cake-cutting ceremony was held with President Dondi Costin as the guest of honor.
Following worship, Wolf took the stage and shared the lessons she has learned as a stroke survivor. Although she has lived a challenging life, she spoke about the hope that God has given her in the midst of hard times.
“You’re more than the best or the worst thing that has happened to you,” Wolf said.
Photo by Emily Cuthrell
Wolf encouraged students by showing how she has found hope and joy in her own life and story. She told the students that they get to choose how they feel about and look at their own stories. Instead of focusing on how the after effects of her stroke restrict her from doing some things, Wolf sees the miracles like the birth of her second child and being alive as unique opportunities to share her story with many people.
“Even though Katherine had gone through so much with her stroke and definitely had a reason to view the world cynically, she instead chose joy and to look at the bright side,” said Branwyn McCormick, a senior criminal and counseling psychology major.
As a child, Wolf dreamed of speaking to audiences about Christ but never imagined that she would be doing so in a wheelchair. She explained how God is able to use everyone’s dreams in unexpected ways, and that people must be willing to pivot into the story that God has written.
During Friday’s Convocation, the floor of the Vines Center was rearranged to include a large “American Ninja Warrior”-style obstacle course.
Liberty’s own Chad Thornhill, residential chair and professor for biblical and theological studies, who also competed on “America Ninja Warrior,” spoke on the panel along with former contestants, Grant McCartney, Josiah Singleton and Carrington Hammond. Josh Rutledge, vice president of Liberty’s Office of Spiritual Development, moderated the panel and asked the contestants about what it was like to compete on the show.
McCartney spoke about the loss that he experienced in his family and how Christ’s peace sustained him through it all. He said he has been able to achieve some incredible things by being on the show. However, he said nothing compares to the peace that God has given him throughout his wins and losses.
Hammond spoke of dreaming of competing on “American Ninja Warrior,” but first, she had to start by learning how to do a pull-up and then worked her way up. She also talked about how God taught her to slow down after she tore her ACL while training for the show. During this time of training and recovery, she turned to God and was baptized in college by McCartney.
Singleton described how he used to rely on his worldly accomplishments to boost his self-esteem. He said everything changed once he turned to Christ to heal his brokenness. Although, he still faced a myriad of challenges since the first time he went on the show; he failed and missed moving forward by two seconds.
“I began to actually experience the truth behind that promise of (when) God says, “I am faithful and just to forgive you of your sins,’” Singleton said. “It wasn’t until that moment that I was able to experience it.”
After their interview was complete, each of the contestants ran the entire course with ease. Once all of the contestants finished the obstacle course, the staff and a few students, including Rutledge, ran the course with the crowd cheering them on. The course was open for students to try on Nov. 15 and 16.
Twitchell is a news reporter for the Liberty Champion.