that other students call her on the phone just to have her pray for them .”
As Staffin longed for a deeper , more intimate walk with the Lord , she looked to the Word of God and sought to emulate Jesus Christ .
“ If I really wanted to understand how to be a child of God , then the first place I needed to look was to God ’ s most perfect child : His Son Jesus , who came to earth to be an example for us all ,” she wrote . “ Setting aside daily devotional time to read the Bible allowed me not only to learn Christ ’ s leadership skills , but to see how they transformed those whom He led .”
Staffin ’ s essay included ten “ Biblical Leadership Principles ,” including : You do not need to be given a
“ A year ago , I would have been too afraid even to speak about Christ in a public environment , but after experiencing God ’ s transforming grace in my life , I am genuinely excited to share the model for leadership that inspires me .”
— Alanna Staffin , Cornell ’ 19
position of power to be a leader ; The most effective leaders are those who willingly serve others before themselves ; and Your success is not your own .
“ As a leader trying to imitate Christ , you can expect that I answer to Him first ,” she wrote . “ That means I will not put money , fame , or reputation above His priorities , and I will look for opportunities to serve you before being served myself . I will ask for His guidance to do what is right and what is best for everyone in all that I do . I will seek His and your forgiveness in every area in which I fall short …”
Being an ambassador for Christ is paramount . In the winter , she and her sister Rachel ( two of the Staffin sister triplets ) attended tryout camps for various bugle corps and marching bands . During the stressful , rigorous auditions , the sisters would read the Bible and pray together during down times , and were able to share their faith with curious peers .
“ Before we set out on the audition process , we prayed together and gave our musical and athletic talents up to God and dedicated our work for His glory ,” she wrote .
In the essay , she also noted the power of serving others in her co-ed fraternity at Cornell , whether it was going the extra mile by cleaning at the house , volunteering for events , motivating others to study , or being a friend with a listening ear .
“ I am frequently reminded that we are stronger as brothers and sisters when we work together ,” Staffin wrote . “ One of our new fraternity members told me that she would have dropped out of Cornell if not for the supportive community that our house provided her , and I thank God every day that our house is one that makes a difference in the lives of its members and the community .”
This fall , she will oversee a student-led Bible course for Christian Union at Cornell . It should be a promising senior year , as Staffin — as she did in her essay and one-credit course — continues to speak volumes about Christian leadership . | cu s u m m e r 2 0 1 7 : : c h r i s t i a n u n i o n . o r g
21
ious bugle corps and marching bands. During the
stressful, rigorous auditions, the sisters would read
the Bible and pray together during down times, and
were able to share their faith with curious peers.
“Before we set out on the audition process, we
prayed together and gave our musical and athletic
talents up to God and dedicated our work for His
glory,” she wrote.
In the essay, she also noted the power of serving
others in her co-ed fraternity at Cornell, whether it
was going the extra mile by cleaning at the house,
volunteering for events, motivating others to study,
or being a friend with a listening ear.
“I am frequently reminded that we are stronger
as brothers and sisters when we work together,”
Staffin wrote. “One of our new
fraternity members told me that
“A year ago, I would have been too afraid
she would have dropped out of
even to speak about Christ in a public
Cornell if not for the supportive
environment, but after experiencing God’s
community that our house pro-
transforming grace in my life, I am genuinely vided her, and I thank God every
day that our house is one that
excited to share the model for leadership that makes a difference in the lives of
its members and the communi-
inspires me.”
ty.”
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