1 minute read
New Campus Minister
New Campus Minister
I ACT because. . .
Jacob Ratliff, ’15, faced an identity challenge common to many new college athletes. Since second grade, football had been a huge part of Jacob’s identity. As a freshman at Cumberlands, though, he quickly realized the hard truth: he wasn’t skilled enough to play for a college team. In what felt like a huge leap of faith, he quit the team after more than a year and trusted God to give him other meaningful things in his life.
God delivered. Through one unexpected opportunity after another, God repeatedly taught Jacob to trust him, be content, obey, and serve.
“My faith has challenged me to live out the command of Christ to take up my cross daily,” he said. “God has been faithful even when I am not. Every blessing I have is a result and affirmation of God’s grace.”
Jacob has served on the Residence Life leadership team and as an interim youth pastor. His longest “official” ministry experience was serving as an interim pastor at a small church in McCreary County for three years. Jacob is currently on the preaching rotation at Cornerstone Community Church in Williamsburg where he and his wife, Hannah, ’16, are actively involved.
Dr. Chad Everhart, after five years as campus minister, decided to step down and focus on his position as professor and department chair of Missions & Ministry. After much prayer and consideration, he and Dr. Emily Coleman, provost at Cumberlands, are confident that Jacob is God’s choice to step into the role.
“It is entirely by the grace of God that I am here,” he said. “My biggest goal right now is to get to know all the staff and students involved to see how I can encourage them and use my passions to support the ongoing ministry they’re already doing. I’m looking forward to it!”
