Graduate Spotlight: A Conversation with Olivia Ballard

Why did you choose to study at Judson College?

Having grown up in the Wake Forest area, I have always been familiar with Judson College. By the time I was in middle school, after attending several events and conferences and spending time on the beautiful campus grounds, I was convinced that Judson was the coolest place on earth and determined that that was where I wanted to go to college. Of course, by the time I was applying to colleges, I realized that Judson was much more than a cool place. Having taken some dual enrollment classes, I fell in love with its Christ-centered approach to education and its infectious passion for the Great Commission. I saw this as a place where I would not only get a solid education but also grow closer to Christ. The fact that the Lord allowed a childhood dream to become reality is a blessing!

I saw this as a place where I would not only get a solid education but also grow closer to Christ. The fact that the Lord allowed a childhood dream to become reality is a blessing!

What aspects of your education at Judson were particularly formative or encouraging to you?

I used to have this misconception that certain careers were more holy than others. I assumed that if I wanted to truly give my life for the gospel, I needed to be an overseas missionary or any kind of ministry leader. While these careers are amazing ways to serve Christ and obey the Great Commission, I learned during my time at Judson that God has called and equipped every Christian to make disciples wherever he has placed them. As I saw my professors center even my English classes around Christ and relate everything back to Scripture, I realized that whether I was helping plant a church in Asia or working a desk job in corporate America, God would have specific opportunities for me to grow in my faith and share the gospel with others.

How has your time at Judson challenged you to give your life for the cause of Christ wherever he calls you?

The thought of evangelism used to terrify me. I loved the Lord and was passionate about the gospel, but fear of man often kept me from verbally sharing my faith. I worried that people would ask me questions I couldn’t answer or that they would think I was weird. Before coming to Judson, I had never done door-to-door evangelism and had only verbally shared my faith once. I am so thankful for the infectious passion for the Great Commission at Judson — because through it, the Lord gave me opportunities to get out of my comfort zone and learn how to foster deep gospel conversations. The Lord lessened my fear as I learned from the example set by people at this school and saw him open doors for spiritual topics in my conversations with others.

I am so thankful for the infectious passion for the Great Commission at Judson — because through it, the Lord gave me opportunities to get out of my comfort zone and learn how to foster deep gospel conversations.

Which classes, professors, or memories stand out to you the most?

I will never forget taking a class on Shakespeare during the spring semester of my sophomore year. It was one of the last classes taught by a beloved English professor, Dr. Adrianne Miles, and I was so grateful to get to participate in it. Dr. Miles was an incredible teacher, and through her class I appreciated the art and poetry of Shakespeare’s plays more than I ever had before. Although it was heartbreaking when she had to step down partway through the semester because of her illness, our class was able to cry together and pray with her, an opportunity that I don’t think we would have had at any other school. When she passed away, we were able to spend class time grieving, praying, and sharing memories of Dr. Miles together. While it is not a lighthearted memory, it is one that is near to my heart, and I will always look back on it with gratitude for having that opportunity.

How have you grown in your understanding of the Great Commission and its relationship to your field of study?

I am so grateful for the gospel-centeredness of Judson. Whether the class is Introduction to Christian Missions or Advanced Writing, every classroom truly is a Great Commission classroom. On the other side of my English degree, it is impossible for me to separate my studies of English from my faith in Christ. I was equipped with tools to read deeply and communicate clearly, which has directly helped me as I read Scripture and share the gospel with others. I was challenged to clearly communicate difficult theological concepts and to understand how to approach cornerstone texts of classic literature from a Christian perspective.

On the other side of my English degree, it is impossible for me to separate my studies of English from my faith in Christ.

How do you hope to use your degree now that you’ve graduated?

Lord willing, I will get to live out the Great Commission in a classroom setting as a teacher. I hope to foster a love for learning in my students and also be a mentor who encourages them to pursue a relationship with Jesus.

How can your Southeastern and Judson family be praying for you?

Please pray that I will continue to grow in my love for the Lord as I trust in him to guide me into a new season of life. With graduation, a new chapter full of exciting opportunities is opening, but with that comes many unknowns and big changes. Please pray that I would trust God with my future and cast my cares on him.