As my college career has progressed, I have become more aware of this feeling that there was something missing in my life. One day my friend, and teammate, invited me to come to Athletes in Action (AIA). AIA is bible study that is hosted specifically for athletes. Instantly something felt different, later that week on Sunday I went to a church, not far from college of Butler University, called Radiate. In that moment, God spoke to me through the sermon series that was being preached that day. It was called, A Fresh Start, the irony... clearly God has a sense of humor. This was the first step to the life changing experience that I've found in the Lord. The purpose of this article is to chronicle my journey down the path to redemption through finding the Lord. I hope that by sharing my experience with you, I can show y’all how amazing God is, and how He can work in your life in ways you could never imagine. Whether you are skeptical or not, I encourage you to read ahead about my experience.

After I went to my first sermon at Radiate, I couldn't help but feel that it was right. It felt that by some twist of fate, I ended up here and it was meant to be. So, I continued to go on Sundays, and to AIA on Wednesdays with about forty of my fellow athletes at Butler. It was at AIA where I found out about a camp that would change my life, change the way I compete in my sport and change my entire demeanor and outlook on life. This place, was in Fort Collins Colorado, and was called, The Ultimate Training Camp. This was the turning point in my college career. I had to take a step of faith, I had to trust that God would deliver and raise about $700 to fly out and go pursue my faith in the company of 150 other athletes on Colorado State’s campus for one week. While I was there, I experienced the Lord’s power first hand. I watched as He changed the lives one by one of all 150 of us. At this camp we learned five various principles to apply to our lives and sports. These principals culminated in a 20 hour long competition known as the S.P.E.C.I.A.L. This is where my life was forever changed for the better. At the end of a grueling 20 hours of extreme competition, all 150 athletes were bussed to the mountains in Colorado to complete the final leg of the race known as Golgotha. Golgotha is where Jesus Christ was crucified to sacrifice himself for the sin of man. At the mountain we were tasked with running half a mile down the mountain with a three foot long 2x4 in our hand. Then, when we reached the bottom of the mountain we had to turn around, put the 2x4 across our back, and run back up the mountain. This seems as though it would be a relatively easy task. After 20 hours of challenging competition, and only about three hours of sleep, this was one of the hardest, most mentally and physically challenging things I have ever completed in my life. I was not able to run up the mountain. I could barely take a step without my legs completely locking up. I was exhausted, I wondered how I would be able to make it, I didn't think I could do it. It was then, I looked up, with the mountains surrounding me, the Colorado River to my left, and I prayed to God. I asked, “God help me finish this race, help me run the last 200 yards of this run so that I can glorify you through this trial, God please help me.” It was at this point I heard a voice in the back of my mind say “Adam, I’ve got your back, you can do this.” I felt God push me forward and all the pain was gone, all the doubt left my mind. I sprinted faster than I have ever ran before in my life, and I felt at peace with the Lord. I felt His presence and I felt his strength. The Holy Spirit pushed me forward.

This sole experience taught me true power of God. It was truly a life changing experience. That moment on that mountain, when I finished the race, I knew what was missing in my life. I needed my relationship with the Lord. Right then and there I knelt down and prayed, I prayed a prayer of surrender, I asked God for forgiveness, and surrendered my life to His will.

The reason for telling this story is in the hopes that you can understand the power of God. By now, He has done a number of different things for me throughout my college career. I want to give you three reasons why God has changed my college career.

1. God has given me the ability to forgive others regardless of what happens

2. He has allowed me to be accepting of people's differences

3. He gave me the knowledge that even after I die, I will live forever with Him.

Now, I'm sure some people are skeptical, and maybe even think I'm a hypocritical Jesus freak. So, let me leave you with this, no one is perfect, I’m far from it, but because of my faith in God I have learned to live my life in a way which hopefully pleases Him, and as a result, pleases myself. It allows me to be kind and accepting of all people of all walks of life.