Hannah Gammill is well known at the University of Arkansas for her athleticism on the field, playing third base for Razorbacks softball.
It also is a position she uses as a platform to share God’s love with others.
The 21-year-old junior grew up in Beebe, Arkansas, attending Union Valley Baptist Church most of her life. She described herself as the “normal church kid” growing up, but it wasn’t until her junior high years that she saw the importance of what church meant and what a true relationship with God looked like.
‘Complete 180’
“At that age I found myself trying to fit in and be someone I wasn’t to be liked in school, which seems pretty normal for a child,” Gammill admitted. “I would say my life did a complete 180 the day I was saved. We had a revival night at church when I was in seventh grade. My life completely changed that night, for the better.
“I will never forget what it felt like to feel the presence of the Lord literally pulling me out of my seat to come to the front to make a public profession of faith. It was real — so real that my palms were sweating because of the Holy Spirit.”
Gammill said God was “sweet” to call her and “has continued to show grace and mercy since that day.”
“I have had ups and downs, but He has never failed to show up and lead my life in a direction that is for His glory,” she said.
A social work major at the University of Arkansas, Gammill said she sees Jesus at work every day in people’s lives.
“I see that my calling has been to work with people and to love them the best that I can,” she said.
Softball is sometimes a bit of a challenge, Gammill admitted, because it can be easy to find her worth in how she plays and performs — but she sees God’s beauty at their field, and sees it constantly through the lives of her teammates and coaches.
“I see that He has gifted me with an able body to play the sport that I love and has given me a platform to do so for so many little girls,” said Gammill, who has played softball since she was 4 years old. “In life, Jesus is so good. I look around and am just in awe of the things He has created and what they mean to Him. It is a beautiful thing.
“I have to ask God to remind me to see things from His eyes and not from mine. It is hard when the craziness of life can impact my relationship with God if I allow it to.”
After college she aspires to open a private practice in counseling.
“I try to let people see the light of Jesus in me,” she said. “I also hope that people can see Jesus in the way I play.”
EDITOR’S NOTE — This story was written by Mary Alford and originally published by Arkansas Baptist News.
