After graduating middle school, Emma Lander had one goal for the next four years: to change Crane High School. A big goal for a small girl, but Emma Lander lives large.
“I thought, ‘God can make a revival in my school,’” she said. “And I envisioned everyone giving their lives to the Lord completely.”
The basketball standout entered her senior year in Crane, Mo., the product of much growth and guidance, thanks to the help of summer camps and a continual tugging at her heart from the Lord.
For two weeks this summer, Lander attended church camp. And then she spent two weeks at Kanakuk Kamp in Branson, Mo., a summer program dedicated to developing dynamic Christian leaders through life-changing experiences, Godly relationships, and spiritual training. Lander has gone to both now for many years, and they have been pivotal in the development of her faith.
Emma Lander (23) leading pregame prayer at center court.
Growing up in church, Lander accepted Christ at a young age. Yet, until her freshman year of high school, her faith was more of a checklist of obedience than fellowship with the Father. Still focused on her list of “do-goods” compared to other Christians, Lander began reading Crazy Love by Francis Chan, and her perspective on approaching God was completely altered.
“I started realizing it was more about a relationship and a desire to follow Him, not a duty,” she said. “Seeing that He wants me to serve Him from my whole heart, not just because I have to, helped a lot.”
However, she still struggled with trying to please others. The Lady Pirates were state basketball champions her freshman year, and Lander played a significant role on the floor, piquing the media’s attention. But she had difficulty differentiating their voices with the whisper of God’s truth.
The summer before her sophomore year, Lander came to grips with the pressure that plagued her. She read Galatians 1:10 and asked herself the question, whose approval was she trying to win?
She began to realize she wasn’t completely serving Christ when worried about pleasing broadcasters and journalists.
“I prayed and fasted,” she said. “Now, I’m living for the audience of One, and trying to please Him.”
"I’m living for the audience of One."
-Emma Lander
As the Pirates continued their dominating streak of three straight state titles, Lander amassed numerous awards, including MBCA All-State Player of the Year following her junior season. Broadcasters continue to hound her with praise, but she holds strong to prayer and family, recognizing it’s a gradual improvement process.
“There are still a lot of things I need to work on, but that’s something you have to overcome each day,” said Lander. “I have to have Him humble me, because it is hard. I need His strength to do that for me.”
Lander was halfway through high school when she re-examined the goal she so valiantly declared as a freshman. While there was interest and growth, it wasn’t the huge revival she pictured.
She doubted and felt like a failure. And then the story in 1 Corinthians 3 about planting, watering and harvesting caught in her mind, bringing sweet relief and easing the weight of saving the entire school on her own.
“God doesn’t want you to have pressure,” she said. “He wants you to feel freedom. In a way, I had been seeing it like a checklist again. It was all about me and what I wanted to accomplish.’’
She began focusing on loving people where they were, switching her mindset from motions to a more intentional approach. Lander exemplified this new discipleship cycle through Crane’s FCA Huddle, where she is a part of the leadership team.
“In high school, anyone can relate to feeling like they’re the only one in a situation,” she said. “For Christ followers, realizing you’re not the only one is an awesome thing. I love FCA for that, because it really does build a community where we can be encouraged and strengthened.”
Lander’s approach has also worked its charm around the locker room. She leads pregame devotionals, and she’s noted personal growth in teammates, many of whom don’t go to church.
Ever mindful of her goal, Lander turns her attention to the community and faces she passes in the halls. Lander is on her game, focusing in on His voice alone, and ready for God to lead her where He wills.
Photos courtesy of the Lander family