Triumph through tragedy: Meet UGA student Joseph Strickland!

When his senior year in High school began Joseph Strickland seemed to have everything anyone could want. He had just returned from the Governor's Honors Program, where he went to study math (with a minor in voice). He was also marked as a contender for valedictorian at Southeast Bulloch High School, was a leader in his church youth group, had a beautiful loving girlfriend, and a healthy happy family. However, before the new year dawned everything began to fall apart.

In November Joseph's mom was diagnosed with breast cancer. She started chemo, traveling to Savannah for treatments. A few days after Christmas Joseph was awakened by his mom, who seemed confused and out of sorts. She was on the phone with Matt Upchurch, a friend of Joseph's from school. Matt told Joseph about a house fire at the home of Joseph's girlfriend, Haley Davis, in Stilson just outside of Statesboro. Though the details were sketchy it appeared that four people had died in the fire. When Joseph and his twin brother Forrest arrived at the Davis house they had trouble finding any detailed information because of all of the emergency personnel surrounding the neighborhood. Over the course of the morning he and the friends gathered there managed to figure out who had died from the large family - both parents, and the youngest two of the six children, Susannah and Haley.

Over the next few months Joseph faced a crisis of faith. But throughout the experience of shock and grief Joseph somehow managed not to fall apart. In the midst of dealing with his own grief he was able to be an integral part in one of Haley's friends coming to an assurance of faith in Christ. In spite of it all his grades didn't slip the whole Spring semester. He gave the valedictorian's speech at graduation and was somehow able to speak without shedding a tear. He gave credit God's grace and to his faith in Christ for getting him through the year.

Now a student at UGA, dual majoring in math and math education, Joseph knows that God will continue using the experiences of the past year in the future. It has taught him much about God's grace, sovereignty, and mercy. He has had many opportunities to share his journey over the past year and a half and knows that God will use his travails to help and encourage others. Joseph is active in Baptist Collegiate Ministries at UGA, and will appear in Once Upon a Mattress, the 2013 Dinner Theater musical later this month. He is also seeking other ways that God will have him serve in the future, including interviewing to do summer missions through Send Me Now.

Lift Joseph up in your prayers as he continues to grow in his relationship with Christ and seeks his place in the world while at UGA. It will be exciting to watch his story unfold!