Making Holes-in-One for Christ
Photo provide by Rampage student photographer Savannah Thompson.
Savannah Riley is a junior from Abingdon, Virginia, who is making holes-in-one and serving others for Christ at Bluefield University.
As a member of the BU golf team, Riley’s athleticism stands out on the course, and as a member of Student Ministries and a Christian studies major, her faith shines in the classroom and around campus. However, coming to Bluefield she admits is not something she ever thought she’d do, but not that she’s here she said it feels like home.
“Coming to Bluefield was a Lord moment,” Riley said. “I never pictured Bluefield being the place I would call my home away from home until I stepped foot on campus. It felt like a true family and that is the main reason I’m here today. The community and the mountains feel like home. The family makes it home away from home.”
In addition to majoring in Christian studies, Riley is seeking a minor in business administration. Dr. Shawn White, director of general education and a Christian studies professor who teaches Riley, spoke highly of her “humility” and her desire to “go after what God wants.”
“She has a great heart for youth and college athletes,” said Dr. White, who also spoke highly of her leadership skills and her work on both group projects and individual assignments.
“She is responsible, kind, capable, and gets stuff done,” Dr. White said. “She knows when to be a leader but lets others lead.”
She is also “conscientious” about when others might need help in the classroom or finding something on campus. She is always putting others before herself. She also understands the importance of earning her BU degree to achieve her career goals.
“Classes are very important to me,” Riley said. “Getting assignments done and studying to make sure I’m doing well in class is huge. It’s so important to do things to the best of your ability.”
Riley is also excelling on the golf course. Recent BU graduate Stella Gunter, who played on the golf team with Riley, said Riley’s greatest athletic strength is “her technicality.” In team sports, communication is important for identifying problems and receiving feedback. Gunter said Riley “tries to be a problem solver.” She added that she really hopes Riley will be a leader for the team this season.
As an active member of Student Ministries and an intern for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA), Riley is sometimes asked to speak at different ministry events. She credits the Holy Spirit with helping her come up with a message.
“I let the Lord speak to me and the Holy Spirit guide me,” Riley said. “Sharing my testimony and being a witness for Jesus is the most important thing in my life. It says in scripture that your testimony is the Spirit of Prophecy, meaning my testimony can reach others that maybe someone else’s couldn’t.”
Riley said she knows how important it is for her as a Christian to have a relationship with Christ, but she also acknowledged how important it is for Christians to make disciples and to spread God’s word.
Riley said juggling schoolwork, sports, and Student Ministries is all about “good time management and learning to adapt if need be.” And while her own discipline and organization keep her grounded, she insists that her work is ultimately driven by something higher as the Lord continues to equip her to be a witness in the classroom, on the course, and in the spaces of fellowship at BU.