Catherine Buyrn
Sophomore, Animal and Poultry Sciences
Hometown: Chesapeake, VA

Favorite thing about NLCF? Everybody is so welcoming, friendly, and just genuine people. Nobody pretends to be the “perfect Christian”. They recognize that we are all broken and fall short, but through God’s grace and His Truth, we can grow together to be more like Him.

Best class you’ve taken at VT? Introduction to Animal and Poultry Sciences Lab – I got to hold and play with baby animals and even got to give baby pigs shots after they were born!

What is something God has been showing you lately? In the midst of a hectic and busy schedule, it always good to just take a break and rest and realize all the blessings that God gives us. Blessings don’t necessarily have to be something huge – just a beautiful day, a good grade that you’ve worked hard for, or a person that God has put in your life are all reasons to praise and thank God.

Favorite scripture? “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” – 1 Corinthians 10:31

What are your hobbies? Running, swimming, painting, and playing the piano.

Someone you admire/look up to? My dad. Or Jim Halpert from The Office.

What are you watching on Netflix right now? Grey’s Anatomy and 30 Rock

Jordan Winkler
Senior, Engineering
Hometown: Springfield, VA

Favorite thing about NLCF? The more time I invest, the more NLCF becomes my home.

Best class you’ve taken at VT? ME 4644: Additive Manufacturing because it combines engineering and creativity

What is something God has been showing you lately? How to connect with people and how to be growth conscious.

What is some of the best advice you’ve ever gotten? “Motivation is not going to strike you like lightning…The whole idea of motivation is a trap.  Forget motivation.  Just do it.” – Jennifer Reed

How would you describe yourself in 3 words? I-Honest, I-Encouraging, I-Men (join the Engage Group!)

Favorite scripture? Philippians 4:4-9, 13  Paraphrase: Rejoice! Don’t worry about anything. If anything is praiseworthy, put it into practice. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

What are you reading or watching on Netflix right now?
“JumpStart Your Growth” by John C. Maxwell
I watch “Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.”  at my apartment, nicknamed “Knowhere”

Leah Roberts
Industrial & Systems Engineering, Senior

Favorite place to eat in Blacksburg: My favorite place to eat is Cabo Fish Taco.

What are you currently watching on Netflix?  I’m currently going through a phase where the only shows I watch on Netflix are cooking shows (Cutthroat Kitchen, Next Food Network Star, The Great Food Truck Race, etc.).  I think this is because I’m going to graduate soon and I’m panicked that I don’t know how to cook anything.

Something people don’t know about you?  Most people don’t know I have a private pilot’s license.

What are your hobbies?  My hobbies include playing soccer, painting, singing, and flying.

Dream job?  My dream job is being a pilot in the Air Force, followed by being an Imagineer at Disney World.

Favorite thing about NLCF? What initially attracted me to NLCF was the worship music.  So it’s no surprise that I ended up in a worship band shortly after discovering NLCF.

Favorite Scripture? Joshua 1:9 – whenever I feel scared or discouraged about anything, I say this verse over and over again in my head until that feeling goes away.  Even if I’m terrified to do something, it only takes repeating it 3 or 4 times to feel calm and confident again.  I think this verse is so effective for me because I’m on a military track and it uses the word “command”.  Not only does God remind us that he will be with us wherever we go, he commands us to always be strong and courageous!  That definitely resonates with me.  Generally, commands are something that you obey without question.  I give and receive a lot of commands everyday in the Corps, but the most important commands in my life are the ones that come from God.

Something God has been teaching you?  Lately, God has been showing me that there are a lot of people in my day-to-day life that want to know more about God.  He’s given me several opportunities recently to have great spiritual conversations with people unsure about the Gospel.  Having these conversations is my absolute favorite thing to do!

Bekah Routzon
Psychology, Junior
Hometown: Hampton, VA/ Watauga, TX

Ally VanCampen
Senior, Animal and Poultry Sciences
Hometown: Smithfield, VA

Favorite place to eat in Blacksburg? The Cellar! Pita Pizzas are my favorite!

Best class you’ve taken at VT? Animal Anatomy and Physiology with Dr. Cline. It was a really hard
class, but I still use the information I learned. Dr. Cline is an awesome professor too.

Little known fact about you? When I was 14 I had jaw surgery and had to eat liquid food for 5 weeks and 4 days. It was a terrible experience. You can feel the 30+ screws that are in my jaw.

Favorite Scripture? 1st Corinthians 13:13 I really love this whole chapter! Especially this verse though. I think that Paul is eluding to what will happen when we go to Heaven. Our faith will be fulfilled, our hope realized, and all that is left is living in love with the God of the universe.

What would be your dream job? Play with puppies all day and get payed.

Favorite cereal? Frosted Mini Wheats with not too much milk.

What are you watching on Netflix right now? I am watching Girl Meets World! Boy Meets World still has my heart though.

Amanda Armstrong
1st year Grad student, Elementary Education
Hometown: Leesburg, VA

Favorite thing about NLCF? The people!  When I came to Tech my freshman year, I was terrified I wouldn’t find a Christian community to get plugged into.  Well it clearly happened, but NLCF has been more than just a community, they’ve been family.  They’re the people who rejoice at my successes and help pick me back up when I’ve failed, all the while encouraging my walk with God.  Every last person in NLCF is an answered prayer for me.

Best class you’ve taken at VT? Greek and Roman Mythology.  I feel like that’s not a normal class that makes it to the top of the list, but I loved it! When I took this class freshman year, the professor was really chill and funny and the material is stuff that I’m interested in so I really enjoyed it.

Little known fact about you? I collect robin eggs.  I don’t know when it really started, but when I was a kid I’d pick up the robin eggs and of course my mom would freak out (with all the germs and what not).  So my solution was to wash the eggs and put them in a little box I have.  I don’t have many because I don’t stumble upon robin eggs too too often, but even if I see one now-a-days, I’ll pick it up, wash it thoroughly and add it to the box. Just for the record, these are robin egg shells; no full rotten eggs are in my collection.

Favorite scripture? Psalm 91.  It’s a passage of scripture that my mom would read over me and my sister just about every day when we were younger.  There is just so much power in that scripture, praying for protection over yourself and clinging to the promises God has for you.  Now-a-days, whenever I’m frightened or just worn out, I quote this scripture to comfort me.

What are your hobbies? Swimming.  I like to say I’ve been swimming ever since I was born since my mom took me to the Mommy & Me classes.  It’s just something that I love to do and I love the people who love to swim too!

Someone you admire/look up to? I really look up to my mom.  She is the reason I love the Lord the way I do today. I know my walk with Him wouldn’t be nearly as strong without my mom, so I’m thankful that God gave me her to raise me.

Why should I attend an Engage Group? A valid question. Certainly a question that you might be asking yourself. You attend NLCF, isn’t that enough? Austin Cheung, a member of the “Sports Guys” Engage Group weighs in:

How did you get connected to the group originally? I got involved when Jeremy invited me to go to the intramural sports group. He kept pushing me to get involved, but stuff kept coming up until second semester when things worked out. I joined his.

How has being a member of the group impacted you (implying that it has, in fact, affected you)? This group has taught me how to be vulnerable about what I’ve been through and open about my experiences.  They made it clear that my opinion mattered and taught me how my past and opinions can contribute to strengthening my faith and those around me.

What do you do at a typical “Sports Guys” Engage Group meeting? At a typical meeting, we go through some announcements that involve what’s going on at NLCF and what we are doing as a group—games and such. Then, we re-read the passage from the past Sunday and answer some questions. Sometimes we let the discussion take over and we don’t answer all of the questions, but I feel like the discussions are the best/most essential thing to the time we have.

What do you like best about your Engage Group? It provides a unique outlet to share opinions and grow in your faith alongside brothers who all have incredibly different backgrounds and experiences with the same goal in mind. Before joining an Engage Group, I was kinda taught by the way/where I grew up to keep your opinions to yourself and not to share too many things from your past—at least stuff that doesn’t affect others. But, what’s best about Engage Group is that your opinion not only matters, but your opinion is essential to the success of it. The openness we can get into while sharing what we thought on a topic instead of just strictly previously learned Biblical knowledge—while still learning what the Word says on a topic—is what I look forward to the most.

Do you have any funny stories from Engage Group to share? Nahhh, what happens there, stays there. I ain’t snitchin’. Outside of Engage Group? Too many stories.

Fair enough, Austin. So, for those of you who are interested in a bit more information about “Sports
Guys” Engage Group, or any other group, be sure to contact one of the leaders of the group.