FAITH: Huntingdon’s Pearson thankful for God’s blessing

There was a time in the life of Huntingdon sophomore Kade Pearson when he didn’t plan to play sports. There was a also a time when Pearson felt the heartbreak of losing a loved one.

But through his faith in God, Pearson, who plays football and baseball at Huntingdon, managed to grow from that experience into the person he is today, and he is thankful for God’s work in his life.

“I wouldn’t be where I am today without Him,” Pearson said. “I thank God for all that He has done for me. He has helped me get through some things in my life, and I give all the glory to Him.”

Pearson looks to the story of David and Goliath as one that resembles his life.

“There is not one person that is Goliath, but there are some events that would be Goliath,” he said. “And I am David. I have had to stand up and overcome these events.”

One of those Goliath moments was in the fifth grade when his mother, Lori Pearson, died from cancer.

“I looked to God tremendously through that,” Pearson said. “Something like that is unexpected, and you have no where else to turn. But God is a constant. He is always there for you.”

After his mother died, Pearson thought of not playing sports because of the effect her death had on him, but he changed his mind.

“I felt like I should play for her and for God,” he said.

Lori Pearson played college softball at UT Martin and coached at Jackson State Community College.

A foundation has been set up in her memory called the Never Quit Foundation.

“The foundation helps to raise money for cancer patients who can’t pay the doctor bills or can’t afford the medicine,” Pearson said. “It helps families who aren’t financially stable.”

Another Goliath moment was this season when Pearson became the second Huntingdon quarterback to go down with an injury as he broke his foot.

“I prayed a lot for healing, and I prayed for my teammates,” he said. “This season meant a lot for me and my team. We had put in a lot of hours.”

Pearson attends Huntingdon First Baptist Church, and he is active within the church through youth trips, attending every Wednesday and Sunday and helping with the church’s Heritage Festival.

And it was through an activity at the church he had that moment when he heard God calling him.

“A couple years back we were doing Disciple Now, and it got real one night,” Pearson said. “I felt like I needed to go down and rededicate my life to Him.”

This was a decision that had been tugging at Pearson’s heart, but he tried to push the feeling aside.

“I had been thinking about it a long time,” Pearson said. “I kept putting it off, but it hit me that night. I knew I needed to go down and pray.”

Living a Christian life is not always easy, and Pearson knows that, but he tries to live a life that is worthy of God’s calling.

“It is hard sometimes because you want to be cool,” he said. “I try to get out of my comfort zone, though. I try to share the word with those who might not have heard it before.”

The trial of trying to live a Christian life also happens on the football and baseball fields.

“You try to show your faith on the field, but sometimes it is hard,” Pearson said. “You get in the heat of the moment and lose some control, but I wouldn’t be able to do the things I do without Him.”

Michael Odom, 425-9754

Kade Pearson’s favorite verse

Philippians 4:13 – I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.