Former Texas Tech and current Pittsburg Steelers running back Baron Batch speaks to members of the Abilene Fellowship of Christian Athletes in Hart Auditorium. (Optimist photo by Mandy Lambright)

Pittsburgh Steelers running back Baron Batch spoke to ACU’s Fellowship of Christian Athletes Monday about the importance of trusting God.

Batch grew up in Midland and played football for Texas Tech before he was to the NFL in 2011. But on during the last day of practice before preseason, Batch tore his ACL and was out for the season. His journey has made for a story he enjoys sharing with others.

“I enjoy speaking to students because I like to tell the stories of what I’ve experienced, and I like relating with the audience,” Batch said. “Speaking is being able to do a passion I have and to make it a part of my job.”

Batch explained how, through the transitions of his life, he has come to relearn what trusting God truly means. He emphasized that trust isn’t something you can suddenly develop; it is a constant process.

After Batch tore his ACL, he said he was presented with the choice to question God or to faithfully follow Him. In that moment, he decided to thank God which was one of the hardest things for him to do.

“You can’t grow spiritually when you’re comfortable,” Batch said. “It’s only when you’re uncomfortable that you can really grow closer to God.”

Jordan Williams, an undeclared freshman from Austin, appreciated Batch’s message.

“What really hit home to me was how persistent he was. After the injuries he had, I probably would’ve quit football. He was fully trusting God,” Williams said. “Trust is a process, though. It’s hard to be going somewhere you don’t know and continue to trust God.”

Batch also stressed the importance of finding a passion and pursuing it. As an undeclared major, Williams found this relevant to his own situation.

“He made it clear it’s very important to find what your passion is, not just in sports, but in all aspects of life,” Williams said. “That’s something I need to work on because I don’t know what that is right now.”

Shelby Shipley, found Batch easy to relate to because of their common bond as athletes.

Shipley, a junior speech pathology major from Brownwood, said, “Being an athlete really connected me to him. He knows what it’s like to go through the grind of sports and the pressure from your coach, your team, your family. That really spoke to me.”

Batch is a part of the I Am Second movement and frequently shares the story of his faith with college students and on his website and blog, baronbatch.com.