From pro-basketball to Bible studies
“My love of basketball started at the age of nine,” says Lauren Simms, a freshman at Hartland College. “Basketball became my life, and I dreamed of someday playing professionally.”
Lauren went on to play basketball in college. Just before she graduated she received a $40,000 contract to play professionally overseas, and she thought this was the answer to her prayers. But the Lord had other plans.
“My family had been studying the Bible with an Adventist family, Ron and Tonya Jackson, during my last year in college,” Lauren explains. Interestingly, the Jacksons had found the truth through a radio station that was being operated by Suzanne Harpine, a Hartland College graduate. Lauren continues, “I heard the first lesson the Jacksons shared with my parents while I was home for the summer. I didn’t take it seriously, thinking that my parents would probably not continue with the studies. But when I went home after graduation, I sensed a different presence in my family – a joy and a peace that I had never felt before.”
Lauren’s parents shared with her all the truth they had learned, and she fell in love with it. “I had never heard these things before! I had a strong desire to know the Lord better.”
But Lauren still had the basketball contract to deal with. “There was a battle going on in my heart. I had desired my whole life to play professional basketball, and it seemed that God was answering my prayer. Yet, at the same time, I felt an irresistible urge to stay here and learn more about God.” Praise the Lord that she made the right decision – to learn more about God.
That summer Lauren’s family heard about Hartland through the family they had been studying with, and they attended their first Hartland camp meeting. “My mom’s first question was, ‘So, Lauren, when are you going to come to Hartland?’ I told her, ‘I don’t really think it’s for me,’ but as I got to know the Lord better He made it clear that He wanted me to go to Hartland.”
Lauren is now working towards her degree in health ministry. Her goal is to work in a lifestyle center or health clinic where she can use the health message to help draw people to God.
“What I appreciate most about Hartland are the people who have been so willing to help me in this new practice and faith, teaching me and having Bible studies with me. This is a new journey for me. I have so much more to learn! I pray that one day the Lord will allow me to share with my former coach and teammates what I’ve learned here at Hartland College.”
