Alumni Spotlight: Hamp Kennedy

Hamp, we are so excited to be catching up with you. Where are you now and what are you up to?

I’m in St. George, Virginia which is about 30 minutes from Charlottesville.

I teach US History at an all-boys boarding school about 15 minutes from Shenandoah National Park, it’s beautiful! I’m also a dorm parent for sophomore and juniors, an advisor, and I coach track in the Spring. The school is affiliated with the Episcopal Church, so I am able to minister to the young men and help them through their teenage years.

What led you to Emmaus?

I learned about Emmaus while I was a camper at Camp Lurecrest. In 2013 I was on staff after having decided I needed to take my faith more seriously. My immediate supervisor, Josh Kerzman, was starting the school in the fall and we had countless conversations about faith and the Bible. I asked him so many questions that he finally hinted that I should do the school if I want to learn more. I was unsure if I was going to go to college or enlist in the military after graduating high school, so this seemed like a pretty good way to spend a gap year. My thought was, "If I'm going to be a Christian I ought to know what the Bible says." So when my friends went to college I went to Emmaus! 

What sticks out to you the most 3+ years later?

God’s character. Throughout history, He is constantly looking after His people and calling them back to Him when they go a different way. His consistency and love throughout the whole Bible has been a huge comfort in my own life, and I know that regardless of what happens I will be okay. 

How are you still using what you learned at Emmaus?

The inductive method of studying the Bible was a tremendous help. In college, it really gave me a leg up as a history student because I already knew how to ask meaningful questions and interpret readings. These are skills I definitely use in my work and try to instill in my students. Everything I learned about God that year made me a better brother in Christ to others and helped foster really meaningful relationships. 

Looking back how did Emmaus affect your relationship with God and the Bible?

I had not studied the Bible very in-depth before I came to Emmaus and I still wrestle with a lot of questions but I have a trust in God that wasn’t there before the school, which has been so comforting. I also know where to look for answers and how to look for those answers and that’s a skill that has proved invaluable over the years. 

Best memory from the school?

There are so many great memories! From rock climbing with Tom, lifting weights with Caleb (shoutout Swolecrest), and every day in class with my deskmate and friend Jordan, it’s really hard to pick the best memory. 

What was your favorite book of the Bible during your SBS?

Joshua was fascinating because our teacher, Colonel Hansen, had done archeological digs and research in the Holy Land, so his approach to teaching the book really made the Israelites entrance into the Promised Land all the more real. On a personal level, Job really helped me understand how big God is and how in control He is. Job is one I’ve repeatedly gone back to whenever I begin to lose sight of that. 

Did you have a moment where it all "clicked" for you?

I had a minor procedure done on my heart in the early Spring of my ESBS year. This secured that I would be unable to join the military, which I was planning to do after graduation. Essentially, all my plans for life were turned upside down. Most of this incidentally took place as we were reading Job, and listening to God respond as Job’s life seemed to get worse and worse helped me realize how important it is to trust God’s will. “Thy will be done” as the lord's prayer says, became my mantra. I did not understand God’s plan for me, but if He is truly good and truly in control then I have nothing to worry about. It seems silly that I didn’t trust Him for so long, but in the moment it can be hard to keep that perspective. It is still hard, but having an experience like this makes it easier. 

Anything else you want to share or want us to know?

I was young when I went to Emmaus but everything has a time and place, and God put me there that year for many reasons that are clear to me now. With everything health-related I went through that year my faith would not be where it is today if I hadn’t done the school. I would never have met so many incredible people, including my dear friend Evan Hays. The list goes on, and I’m glad God put me there.

We are so glad we were able to highlight Hamp this week for our Alumni Spotlight. If you would like to learn more about the school that Hamp attend, click here to learn more: Click Here.