Basketball is More Than Just a Sport for ORU Freshman Elijah Lawrence … It’s a Ministry

Elijah Lawrence

Hometown: Houston, Texas
ORU Men's Basketball | Area of Study: Business Marketing

Joining ORU’s basketball team was an exciting start to college for Freshman Elijah Lawrence. Before Elijah’s arrival, the men’s team took March Madness by storm advancing in the 2021 NCAA Tournament and reaching the Sweet 16. As one of America’s most talked-about basketball teams, ORU gained national media attention from news networks like Good Morning America, CNN, ESPN, and CBS Sports.

“It's amazing to be a part of this team,” Elijah said. “Coming in was exciting. My mindset was focused on the Sweet 16, but my first week, Max Abmas pulled me aside and said, ‘You know, the quicker you forget about what we did last year, the quicker you'll be able to embrace what's at stake.’”

For Elijah, a national championship is what’s at stake, and as a player, he’s focused on taking ORU basketball to the next level. But not only that, this fiery freshman has another focus … to use his talent for basketball as a ministry to preach the gospel.  

Growing as a Spirit-empowered Athlete and Student

As a student-athlete, Elijah doesn’t separate his talent for basketball from his faith in God—for him, they work together hand in hand. Whether he’s inspiring on social media, practicing basketball, or celebrating wins like ORU’s Tulsa Cup victory, it all leads him back to an opportunity to share about God.

“The Bible says, ‘Let your light shine before men,’” Elijah said. “’that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who's in heaven.’ I look at basketball as a talent God gave me to show others. When I approach practice or a game, I'll pray in tongues to lock myself into the Spirit. The Holy Spirit creates for me a spiritual life that helps me perform on and off the court as student-athlete. If I’m getting accolades, I can reference that back to Him because He gives me the ability to do that. So that's what I mean when I say I use basketball as a ministry.”

Elijah has grown through his experiences as a freshman. He’s learned valuable lessons from his coaches, teammates, and friendships at ORU, and these lessons have helped shape his focus to honor God. One of these lessons is to add value to the lives of those around him. 

“As a freshman athlete, it can seem hard to add value from the sideline,” Elijah said. “But for me, I know my time will come. Until then, I’ve learned to persevere through adversity and continue adding value by encouraging teammates, regardless of the circumstance.”

ORU’s Impact on Elijah to Dream Big for the Future

In his first six months at ORU, Elijah is already making great plans. Outside of basketball, Elijah is launching a faith-based clothing line named “Soli De Gloria,” meaning “glory to God alone.” Elijah’s aspirations are growing, and his faith has increased in ORU’s Spirit-empowered community. 

“At ORU, I've grown tremendously,” Elijah said. “President Wilson does a great job teaching Spirit empowerment and leading students. And I’ve been impacted by my professors, who start classes off with devotion, prayer, and Scripture. This University focuses on God and makes sure the Word is instilled in its students. You have no excuse to say you don't know who God is. You only have the choice of taking it or rejecting it.”

While growing in his faith, Elijah is making connections on campus. His class is one of the largest freshman classes in ORU’s history, and there’s something special in this new group of students. In this class, Elijah sees a single goal and a single mission, which is to unify the body of Christ with the praise and the glory of God.

“I can hardly describe this freshman class,” Elijah said. “This group is just so special. But it’s not just the freshmen. In my classes, I meet so many different people who have the same goal in mind. It's just amazing to see how God can bring together individuals whom you never thought their paths would cross. It's just amazing.” 

Learn more about America’s Spirit-empowered University ... ORU, ranked Top 5 in America for Student Engagement by Wall Street Journal/Times Higher Ed.