UMO Student Furthers Faith Through Service
MOUNT OLIVE- Born and raised in Beaverdam, North Carolina, Jessica Sellers has been familiar with the University of Mount Olive (UMO) since childhood. A member of Beaverdam Original Free Will Baptist Church, Sellers participated in youth group activities such as Youth Conventions and Bible Bowls at UMO.
Through her church, Sellers was also introduced to Cragmont Assembly in Black Mountain, NC, a conference center for Original Free Will Baptists. She quickly fell in love with Cragmont and feels fortunate to work there now as a representative of the University.
At Cragmont, Sellers serves as an admissions representative for UMO. “During each week of camp, I am given a period of time to talk to the high school students about UMO. I tell the students about the different opportunities that UMO has to offer and how those opportunities have affected me,” Sellers explained.
Sellers’ connection with Cragmont was formed in 2006 when she visited the camp for the first time as a nine-year-old. “After a week full of fun activities and seeing God move, I hated to leave,” Sellers said. “I fell in love with Cragmont that week and I’ve loved it ever since. To me, Cragmont is a little piece of heaven on earth.”
Cragmont is also where Sellers began her personal relationship with Jesus. “I remember everything about that night. I had a mountain top experience,” she said.
Sellers also works with The Challenge, a theological camp at UMO started in 2015 as part of grant from the Lilly Foundation.
“I have learned so much from the students who have been involved with The Challenge. These students really want to learn how they can better serve God with the talents they have been given, and that is such an inspiration to me,” Sellers said.
A first-generation college student, Sellers is majoring in agricultural education. She plans to graduate in the spring of 2019. On campus Sellers is a member of CFFA, the UMO Concert Choir, and the UMO Senior Giving Committee. She has also been a Resident Advisor, a Student Ambassador, and the recipient of the UMO Most Caring Student Award.
Whatever Sellers decides to do in the future, she will certainly continue to rely on her faith for guidance.
“My faith in Jesus is everything to me. Everything I do revolves around my faith. After everything He has done for me, the least I can do is live my life for Him,” Sellers concluded.
The University of Mount Olive is a private institution rooted in the liberal arts tradition with defining Christian values. The University, sponsored by the Convention of Original Free Will Baptists, has locations in Mount Olive, New Bern, Wilmington, Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, Research Triangle Park, Washington, Jacksonville, in Smithfield at Johnston Community College, and online. For more information, visit www.umo.edu.
