What are your religious beliefs?
Christian. More secular people would probably label me an evangelical or fundamentalist.
If you are a Christian, when did you accept Christ?
When I was 7 years old, at First Baptist Church in Choctaw, Oklahoma.
What church do you attend? How are you active there?
Here I go to the chapel or to the contemporary service on Sundays, and I’ve been to both the Baptist Student Union and Campus Crusade meetings during the week. Back home I go to Mountain View Baptist Church. When I’m home I’m really active, here not so much. I really need to work on that.
Are you active in the community?
Same as the church question. We just have so much to do here that I let myself get caught up in that. I need to do a better job of focusing on things that will last beyond my time here at the Academy.
Have you been on any mission trips?
I have been on quite a few mission trips, but each was only a week or so long. I’ve been to West Virginia three times, Canada four times, Venezuela once, and I’ve done a mission trip, of sorts, in Hickory.
How do you witness to people?
I tend to practice “relationship evangelism,” as I’ve heard it called. I build a relationship with someone and earn his or her trust. I try to act out my witness, and when I have that relationship, I then share my faith.
What are your parents’ beliefs?
My parents are both Christian and believe as I do. They helped guide me in my early years and then God took over.
What is your political standpoint?
Moderately conservative. I think that both sides have some merit, and the most useful thing is a rational, civil dialogue between the two. In today’s politics where you have to appeal to the radical base to get elected, however, all you see is the polarization of politicians. We’re losing the middle, and I don’t think it’s a good thing.
What do you think are some major issues in the world to you? What do you think you can do about them/want to do about them?
One of the big things that I have a problem with is the underdeveloped world, and how much we here in the rich countries waste. I think that one of the keys to development is education, and that’s one of my passions. Education is in investment not only in individuals, but also in society. Speaking generally, by educating a person you make him more productive and raise his standard of living. But you also make him a more productive member of a society, benefiting the community as a whole. I think we should support and implement policies that promote education in the undeveloped world. And I won’t start on how education can help with other problems, such as terrorism. Just read "Three Cups of Tea" and research what the Australians are doing in Indonesia.
No comments:
Post a Comment