THE LORD USES COMMUNITY
Belk looks back gratefully on
relationships he established with a
number of people at CIU beginning
with Track Coach Jud Brooker and
his wife Nicole; Communication
Program Director Dr. Dan Delozier;
English professor Dr. Sandra Young,
who taught him to be comfortable
with his culture; Sport Management
Program Director Dr. Wayne
Rasmussen, who introduced him to
sports broadcasting; and several
close friends who displayed the
love of Jesus.
Meanwhile, Belk helped build
the new CIU track and field team,
has repeatedly raced his way to
nationals, and set multiple school
records. He hopes to combine his
interests in communications and
sports into a sports broadcasting
career. He already has experience
— announcing the play-by-play of
CIU athletic events streamed online.
Today Belk finds his confidence in a
God who has sustained him through
it all. He says that if the Lord can
get him through the dark places he
experienced that first semester, He
will not fail him now.
“If you’ve got faith in the
Lord, what can’t you do?”
Belk asks.
But Belk’s road from that bus ride
to graduation on the stage of
Shortess Chapel was bumpy at
first. It included potholes, curves,
and many unknowns. But most
importantly, Belk’s story is marked
with road signs pointing to the
redemptive grace of God.
Belk grew up in a rough
neighborhood of Palm Beach,
Florida with his mom and two
sisters. His early life was not the
easiest. His mom lost her job, and
the family was forced to give up
their home. He lived in transitional
housing during his senior year of
high school.
The move to college also had its
challenges. Adjusting to the culture
of a small Christian University was
not an easy. Belk found connecting
with fellow students difficult and
felt isolated. His grades slipped and
he fell hard. He thought he let down
his coach, his family and God. He
fell into depression.
During those first few months,
running helped.
“If I didn’t pick up running I
wouldn’t be here,” Belk said. “Track
was my escape. I could run and not
really think about a lot.”
But Belk discovered help all around
him.
THE LORD USES CHAPEL
As he sat in his room alone on
a morning in October 2014, he
seriously contemplated ending his
life. But instead he went to Chapel.
He doesn’t remember specifically
what the message was that day, but
the Lord used it to begin a powerful
work in his life.
By the spring semester, Belk began
to see that the Lord’s work in His
life is not based on his actions,
but on unconditional love. He was
determined to improve. His grades
rose dramatically and the Lord
provided a community at CIU to
give encouragement and support.
THE LORD USES COACHES
Coach Brooker and his wife Nicole
see Belk as something of an
adopted son and have witnessed
the Lord’s work in his life from the
very beginning of his CIU career.
“It was more important for me to be
a father figure and mentor towards
Justin than it was to be a coach,”
Brooker said. “Justin has learned to
use his story to reach others. He’s
gone from the woe-is-me (attitude)
to ‘this is how I am going to use this
to grow.’”
Now that the CIU chapter of Belk’s
life has closed, Brooker has one
message for him: “I’m proud of
you.”
Meanwhile, back in Florida, Belk’s
mother, Sarah Belk, is grateful for
what the Lord has done in her son’s
life through CIU.
“CIU, thank you for everything that
you have done for my son,” Sarah
Belk said. “I thank you from the
bottom of my heart in helping to
mold him into the young man that
he is becoming.”
That is what CIU is about. Accepting
those who
desire to know
the Lord and
teaching them
to make Him
known.
“HE’S GONE FROM THE WOE-IS-ME
(attitude)
TO ‘THIS
IS HOW I AM GOING TO USE THIS TO GROW.’”
–CIU TRACK COACH JUD BROOKER
To the sound of loud cheers, Justin Belk
crosses the stage of Shortess Chapel to
receive his degree from CIU President
Dr. Mark Smith at the December
commencement.
Justin Belk competing
in the NCCAA track
and field finals his
senior year.
Coach Jud Brooker
and Justin Belk at
the Athletics Awards
Banquet.
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