Jan. 23, 2014
For Immediate Release

By Mikayla Smith, student news writer

CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. - Campbellsville University will hear Betsy Bolick, director of women's ministry at Charleston Southern University, as the chapel speaker for Wednesday, Feb. 5 at 10 a.m. in the Ransdell Chapel. The chapel is located at 401 N. Hoskins Ave. on the main Campbellsville University campus. The public is invited.

Bolick says she grew up different. “The world consistently reminded me of that,” she said.

Bolick, of Boone, N.C., was born with Sacral Agenesis, a rare spinal disorder. This has left her missing three parts of her lower spine, her feet are paralyzed and she was born with no calf muscles.

Doctors said she was permanently disabled; a label that would follow her for her entire life.

“I felt alone, broken, abnormal, afraid … never sure of where I belonged,” she said.

Raised in a Christian home, Bolick sought after God. “I was taught that God was love, that He was perfect and was the creator of all things. I grasped it all except the part about God as creator and lover. You see how could a perfect God create a mistake and how could He possibly love that mistake?” Bolick said.

The question sent Bolick on a journey to find God. “He tore down the roots of bitterness and anger,” she said. “He healed my heart and suddenly, the physical healing became of no value compared to the great work He did on my heart.”

Now, with her hope firmly in the grasps of God, Bolick shares her testimony every opportunity she gets.

“I have been traveling and sharing God's grace and mercy for six years and have seen Him use my greatest struggles for His glory. I am so thankful that God brings beauty from ashes,” said Bolick.

In 2009, Bolick received her bachelor's degree in women's ministry from Liberty University. Two years later she completed her master's in church leadership and ethics from John Brown University.

Everyone is invited to hear her speak free of charge.

Chapel is designed to provide opportunities for corporate worship and exposure through a variety of informative speakers and presentations.

All chapels are open to the public free of charge and are televised live on WLCU (Comcast Cable channel 10).

Campbellsville University is a widely acclaimed Kentucky-based Christian university with more than 3,600 students offering 63 undergraduate options, 17 master's degrees, five postgraduate areas and eight pre-professional programs. The website for complete information is campbellsville.edu.