Faith, Music, and Purpose: UMO Senior Kara Strange Finds Her Calling
September 25, 2025
Contact: Rhonda Jessup, Director of Public Relations
MOUNT OLIVE, NC — As a child, Kara Strange loved music but often shied away from the spotlight. Today, the University of Mount Olive senior stands center stage with Carolina Sound, using her voice not just to perform but to inspire. Her journey from insecurity to confidence has been shaped by faith, community, and the opportunities she’s embraced at UMO.
Strange was born in Savannah, Georgia, and moved to Wilson, North Carolina, at age five when her father became a youth pastor. Growing up in church nurtured her love for music, but insecurity kept her from stepping forward. “Looking back, I can clearly see how God has been at work in my life, helping me overcome those fears,” she said.
Her path to UMO wasn’t direct. She began college at Liberty University but struggled to find her place. That changed during a spring break visit back home when she heard Carolina Sound perform at her former high school. “They weren’t just performing, they were ministering,” she recalled. After connecting with the group’s director, Lester Rector, she transferred to UMO, calling it “one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.”
Now a music education major, Strange has been a member of Carolina Sound since 2022, singing as a Soprano 2. The experience has pushed her musically and personally further than she ever expected. “At first, it was intimidating, but it was exactly what I needed to grow,” she said. “We’re more than just a performing group; we’re a family. We encourage each other, pray for one another, and strive daily to remain faithful in the Lord.”
Her growth has also come through Campus Ministry, where she has served on the worship team and been mentored by Pastor Matt Sharp. “He never rushes through a moment because he values the presence of God,” she said. “I’ve been so blessed through his leadership.”
In the classroom, Strange credits UMO’s professors with shaping her confidence. “They haven’t just taught me the material,” she noted. “They’ve poured into me with wisdom and encouragement, supporting me personally as well as academically.”
Strange’s journey extends beyond campus. Last spring she interned at Church Alive in Pikeville, working alongside the worship team and learning from leaders like Worship Director Ricky Narron and Pastor Danny Rollins. “That experience reassured me that teaching is something I can do, and something I truly enjoy,” she said. “It gave me peace to keep pursuing both music and education.”
As graduation nears, Strange envisions her future in worship ministry while staying open to wherever God may lead. “My desire is simply to follow whatever He has planned for me,” she said. “At UMO, I’ve learned that growth takes faith, patience, and surrender.”
To students considering UMO, especially in music, she offers this encouragement: “Don’t be afraid to step out in faith and trust the process. Professors truly care about you, not just as a student but also as a person. You’ll be challenged, supported, and reminded that music has the power to impact lives far beyond the stage.”
The University of Mount Olive is a private institution rooted in the liberal arts tradition with defining Christian values. It was founded by the Convention of Original Free Will Baptists. For more information, visit www.umo.edu.
