Written by: Pari Heronimus

"Perhaps this is the moment for which you were created" Esther 4:14
 
Back in 2017, I began my journey at Lipscomb University as a member of the XC/Track & Field team. During my freshman year, Chris Klotz took the XC team to Carter Lawrence Elementary School for Sports Fun Club. Sports Fun Club was an afterschool program that served 3^rd and 4^th graders through tutoring, a group game, and free time. This opportunity was the first time I was off campus getting to serve in the Nashville community. I had been yearning for a way to pour into the Nashville community, since it had so kindly welcomed me in from across the country. Little did I know that this would become about so much more than tutoring and playing games with kiddos. 
 
As the team embarked on our time of serving, I felt deeply called to be a part of this community. Most athletes came and served once or twice in the year, but I couldn't imagine not spending every Thursday afternoon in this space. Our time was filled with lots of laughter and love and became so much more than an afterschool program, it became like a family. The rest of the school year I showed up week in and week out, with that precious hour and a half being the highlight of my week. 
 
Come the fall of my sophomore year, Klotzy encouraged me to help lead the different teams each week to the school. In this challenge, I found my purpose as a student-athlete, to use my gift as a platform to serve others. It's easy as a student athlete to get consumed with our identity as an athlete and a student, but serving and leading at Carter Lawrence challenged me to evaluate my greater purpose. Sports Fun Club became the biggest blessing throughout my athletic career and I was AMAZED by the many ways in which God moved during my time there. 
 
After graduation in 2021, I worked at two local organizations, always looking for ways to plug into the community. When the opportunity to work in the Lipscomb Athletic Department as a part of the Spiritual Formation Team, God kindly opened the door for me to step into this new role. As the Assistant Director of Spiritual Formation, I will be focusing on community engagement and pouring into female student athletes. This opportunity feels like a full circle moment, as I got to lead teams of student-athletes to Carter Lawrence for the first time in 3 years this past month! It was such a blessing to be back in that space and help other student-athletes experience that same life-changing moment that I had during my time at Lipscomb. I am grateful for the opportunity to be on this side of the department, equipping our student-athletes to go and find their greater purpose! To God be the Glory!