Kelsey Paradee
Kelsey Paradee, a senior and a Huddle leader with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes at Missisquoi Valley Union, found peace and purpose when she began to pursue her relationship with God.
Q&A with Kelsey Paradee
How has your relationship with God impacted your life? He’s given me so much peace and joy. Before I found Christ, my peace depended on how people liked me or on my life circumstances. No matter what happens, I have peace and joy, and I have so much freedom. I don’t have to be bound by the things of the world; I can be set free.
I grew up Catholic, and I knew of God, but I didn’t have a relationship with him. At the beginning of my freshman year, I saw videos about God and Christianity and started reading my Bible. I really started building a relationship with Christ. At the beginning of the junior year, I started attending the FCA meetings.
How did you get involved with FCA? I started attending FCA meetings in 2024 and, after a couple of meetings, became a Huddle Leader. I started attending meetings after hearing about them on social media, and last year I participated in a Power Camp as a counselor.
How has your faith impacted others? The way I act is totally different, and I feel like that inspires others. I’m much more patient and looking to help others than I was before I came to know Christ.
Do you have a favorite Bible verse that brings you comfort? I’m reading through Mark right now, and I love the Gospels. I love John 16:33: “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” This promises that we will have trouble in the world, but we can rely on God, and He will give us peace.
What do you like about leading Huddles with FCA? I have to prepare and go deep in His Word. It helps my teaching and helps me grow closer to other people. When I’m leading huddles, I can use that time to help other people. I feel like it makes me feel closer to God.
The biggest thing that FCA has impacted me with is having a community I can go to. Before FCA, I felt alone in my faith. I didn’t see others following God, and it felt like I was alone. When I joined FCA, I had a community of other people who now walk with me on my faith journey.
How does having FCA at your school help improve the school community? It gives us a place to go that’s open to everyone. We can grow in our faith, becoming more like Christ, which helps us love others and spread the goodness of God.
Do you have an example of how this change has impacted you as an athlete? In basketball, before I knew Christ, I’d get upset when I made a mistake and was focused on playing for other people and what they’d think of me. Now that I know Christ, I don’t play for the approval of others, but I play for His approval. I’m not just a basketball player; I’m bigger than that. I’m a child of God. Whether things go well or not, I have His love and approval.
How will your faith help you as your life changes in the future? God affects everything in my life—my decisions and what I choose to do and not to do. He’ll help me have more peace and joy. I know I’ll have troubles and trials in the future, but now I have this anchor to rely on: God.
Has there been anything that has surprised you about the impact of your friends on your life in the FCA community? Being with other Christians really strengthened my faith. We need each other. It surprised me how many were in similar situations and had similar struggles. They help me grow and keep me accountable. I’ve made some of my closest relationships in the group, and those relationships center around God.
How has reading the Bible helped you better understand God and His love for you? When I didn’t read the Bible, faith felt distant. Now it’s personal. Now I can read it, and every day I can read scriptures that speak to me about how much He loves me. I used to go to church, but without reading the Bible, I couldn’t hear God. Now I can hear Him, since He speaks through His Word. This helps me hear Him and grow close to Him.
What would you say to someone who wanted to know more about God but wasn’t sure where to start? I’d say—start asking people who know God, or if you go to church, ask them about God. It’s also really important to read the Bible. That’s where I really started to get to know God. When you first look at the Bible, it can be intimidating. I used to skip to a random page and read, but now I’d say—read the Gospels, and Philippians, and the Epistles. Pray and seek God, and let Him know you really want a relationship with Him.
How has God changed your life? God has completely changed my life. I don’t know how I was able to live without Him. I wake up and go to sleep, and know I have a purpose on earth to glorify God. Earth isn’t my final destination. This isn’t the end of everything, and what I do on earth prepares me for heaven. That gives me purpose. That purpose shows me that things on this earth don’t add up to things in heaven—accomplishments and what we do—they will fade. The will of God stays forever. It shows me that what I do on earth is for God and has eternal value.
