Hometown: Murrieta, Calif.
Class: Senior
Position: Guard
Notes:
• Allstate WBCA and NABC Good Works Team (2015)
• CoSIDA Academic All-District (2014-15)
• Second Team All-Centennial Conference (2015)
• Honorable Mention All-Centennial Conference (2014)

After signing up for a rec league just to spend time with a friend, Katie Clark began her basketball journey in fifth grade and sparked a love for the sport and its competitive nature that has now carried her into her senior season at Johns Hopkins University. She brings a servant heart to her campus and community, and was named to the 2015 Allstate WBCA and NABC Good Works Team, which honors student-athletes for their off-court achievements.

 FCA: How have you seen yourself growing in your faith?

KC: I think it’s always been a growing process, continuing to figure out what it means to live your faith. I grew up going to church but wouldn’t say I had a relationship with the Lord. I went to a youth group winter camp in high school, getting a true picture of the fact that I am a sinner and do need a savior, and it was there where I really gave my life over to Christ.

I felt like the Lord was really leading me to Hopkins and putting everything in place for me to end up here. I know that the Lord has a reason for me being on this campus and being a light to other people.

FCA: How did you develop a heart for serving?

KC: It’s always been a part of who I have been. We’ve always done a lot of service as a family. I always thought it was so important; even more so after coming to know the Lord.

One [volunteer moment] that really sticks out to me was when I was at the Kennedy Krieger Institute, playing games and talking to kids. There was a girl and it was her 11^th birthday, and all she wanted to do was sing Michael Jackson karaoke. So we sang Michael Jackson karaoke, and just to see the smile on her face was really moving for me, knowing that something so simple like singing songs could really change someone’s day and have an impact. And I think people forget that, that it doesn’t have to be a huge, grand gesture; people just want to be seen as people, and showing them love even in a little thing like that can make a big difference.

FCA: Why do you think it’s necessary to be involved in something like FCA?

KC: You really have to work to find more opportunities to be involved and surround yourself with people who are going to encourage you and point you in the right direction. We’re not made to go through this life walk on our own. It’s hard and we all struggle in different ways, and we can benefit from encouragement from other believers. Something that I’m struggling with is different from something my teammate or someone in FCA is struggling with, and we can share those experiences and work through what it means to live out your faith. I don’t think I’d be where I am today if I didn’t have that kind of fellowship.

FCA: How do you fight that mindset of performance while balancing sports and faith?

KC: That’s been a challenge. Last season was definitely growing me a lot in that area. Basketball can be so numbers driven; I didn’t want to be consumed by that. As the point guard, you’re there to set up your teammates and make the whole team dynamic flow better. One of the things that helped me in battling that is I stopped looking at stats until the end of the season. I think it really brought it back to the reason why I love playing the game, because it’s such fun for me and a great release of pressure from everything else that’s going on. I’m so blessed the Lord’s given me this opportunity to play in college that I just want to play for that and not my own personal recognition. The glory doesn’t go to me, it goes to Him.

FCA: What is one thing you hope God shows you this year?

KC: I hope He continues to show me to trust in Him. I am applying to medical school, and am pretty nervous/anxious. Continuing to trust in Him through that is a big one that I’ve been praying for, and the peace through the process. And trying to trust that He has a plan, though it might not be the same plan I envision for myself. He’s going to work it all out. He is trustworthy and His plan is exactly the plan He wants for me.

FCA Staff Quote:

“It was great watching Katie in action during her Huddle group at Johns Hopkins University. It’s a blessing that her commitment to Jesus is seen through her servitude at the Huddle and her engagement with her peers.” 

-Sirena Alford
Baltimore City FCA Outreach Rep


-FCA-

Photos courtesy of Johns Hopkins Athletics