Paintball Champ
Justin Shive, 2005 graduate
LeTourneau University, Longview, Texas
Aeronautical Science Major When Justin Shive began paintballing in high school, he had no idea his love for the sport would become a witnessing tool. "I've loved this sport for as long as I can remember," says Justin. "I grew up wanting to play professionally and really enjoy helping others learn." The school's paintball team originally began as a club. But a fun club and hobby soon became a school-sponsored sport when Justin and two friends decided to enter a paintball tournament on their own. After a professor offered to sponsor the group, LeTourneau's paintball team soon began competing in the National Collegiate Paintball Association. "We won three tournaments last year," Justin says. "With these wins we were able to finish first in our division and end the season being ranked fourth nationally." As captain, Justin wanted his team members to use competitions as an opportunity to share their faith. In fact, Justin believes the key to his team's success is demonstrating good sportsmanship and maintaining a solid Christian testimony. One tournament representative even sent Justin's college president a letter saying, "The University should be proud of how your team represented your school with high morals, competitive play and Christian witness." —Kate E. Schmelzer Balloon Guy
Brian Getz, senior
Taylor University, Upland, Indiana
Christian Education Major Brian Getz once received a joke Christmas gift from his twin sister Melody: a balloon kit for making animals, hats and other air-filled toys. Little did they know this gag gift would become a ministry for Brian. Brian, who is often called "the balloon guy," has put on balloon events for Awana, Sunday schools, birthday parties, and Youth For Christ Campus Life clubs. "My favorite lesson to teach is that God can't form us into something until he fills us, just like I can't form this balloon until I fill it with air," he says. He's also mastered juggling and riding a unicycle, which he also uses for ministry. He also currently works as a balloonist for the Indiana Pacers and a local restaurant. This summer, Brian learned that evacuees from Hurricane Katrina had been relocated only an hour away from Taylor's Upland, Indiana, campus. He couldn't help but think about bringing entertainment to those evacuees. Brian grabbed his balloon kit and hit the road. "I thought I could at least entertain them," he said. "It was worth it just to see them smile." —Elisabeth Freeman Jazz Musician
Christina Savine, junior
Roberts Wesleyan College, Rochester, New York
Christian Music major In Christina Savine's freshman year of high school, a special speaker gave a talk to her Christian school. "I can't even remember what he said," Christina says. "But when the worship music started, I sang out from my heart. It wasn't just a warm fuzzy feeling—for the first time in my life it was true worship." Even though she has always sung, music then took on a whole new role in Christina's life. She began leading worship both at school and church. Then, she discovered her true love in music—jazz. "One of my teachers chose me to sing a special jazz song by Frank Sinatra to his wife for their anniversary," she says. "I knew right then I wanted to go to college to study jazz." Since then, she has recorded three jazz CDs and regularly sings at gigs both on and off campus. Christina, is thankful she found Roberts. "They have an awesome jazz program. But I chose Roberts for more than that," she says. "Everyone here made me feel so welcome." —Elisabeth Freeman Copyright © 2006 by the author or Christianity Today International/Campus Life's Ignite Your Faith magazine.
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