CIU alumnus credits professor, track team, for assisting in his spiritual growth

Ethan Robinson enrolled at CIU early on in his walk with Christ. He says the relationships he  developed on campus with peers and mentors, as well as the classes he took, helped him grow in his knowledge of the Lord.

The native of Mooresville, North Carolina graduated in 2022 with a bachelor’s degree in Bible and a minor in International Community Development. He says while there have been several CIU employees who have greatly impacted his life, one person in particular stands out when it came to helping him grow spiritually.  

“I met (Professor) Sam Rubinson in my second year when I took the Applied Adventure Education course,” Robinson recounted in an email interview. “That same semester I began attending a home fellowship group that was often held at his house. During this time, we would occasionally sit down together and talk for a while and I appreciated how he was able to speak to me on my level, in way that I could understand. He made me feel heard and was able to encourage me greatly.”

Robinson also points to his experience on the track and field team has having a big impact on his spiritual life, “because I was surrounded by community instantly at this new school where I didn’t know anyone.”

“In my second year, we began to hold Wednesday night team hangouts,” Robinson explained. “We would look at Scripture, play games, sing worship songs, and discuss our lives and our faith together.”

Today, Robinson is a ministry intern at his church, enrolled in seminary, and says, “ministry is the first thing on my heart.”

“My current role in the church is primarily with the youth, but I hope the Lord uses me for His purposes in many different ways,” Robinson said. “Sports have always been a major part of my life and I have realized they are a great way to build relationships cross culturally and with youth. I trust that as I continue to follow (God) and seek first His kingdom and His righteousness (Matthew 6:33), then such things will fall into place in His timing as He establishes me in Christ.”

A spring 2023 student satisfaction survey identified the factor most important to CIU students and CIU’s top strength as “My relationship with God has been strengthened.”  

CIU is celebrating 100 years of its mission to “educate people from a biblical worldview to impact the nations with the message of Christ.” The university consistently ranks among the Top Regional Universities in the South by U.S. News & World Report, as well as a Best Value Regional University in the South.  Apply now or request information on enrollment by contacting Admissions at (803) 807-5024 or admissions@ciu.edu.