I Corinthians 13 is the book of love. For anyone searching for a definition of what real love looks like, I Corinthians 13 tells one just that. But for freshmen Sheree Allen, that chapter of Corinthians has become her life.
A resident of Decatur, Georgia, Sheree isn’t far from home at all. But one college fair at her high school began a journey with God she never saw coming: a journey of understanding His unconditional love.
“My senior year, my British Literature teacher invited me to a college fair that was happening at the school that day,” Sheree said, “and I met Nathan White, the assistant Wrestling Coach and he was in charge of the Emmanuel table.”
“He told me about Emmanuel and at that time he was advertising Founder’s Preview Weekend,” Sheree said. “I was very interested, because not only was Emmanuel a Christian school it was a Pentecostal school and I grew up in a very Pentecostal home.”
Having sparked her interest, Sheree signed up for the preview weekend. However, what Sheree thought would be just a normal college visit turned into an encounter with God.
“As soon as we pulled up on campus, I just fell in love instantly. The first activity was at the Shaw Center and I fell in love,” Sheree said. “They had my music playing and I began to fall in love with the teachers when I asked about the academic pieces and the accommodations they were willing to make.”
Because Sheree has a brittle bone disease, there are times that she would be unable to make it to class. Knowing that she would be accepted and loved regardless of her condition only ignited her developing love for Emmanuel College.
“My mom has always been concerned. She didn’t want me to go too far because of my medical condition. I have a brittle bone disease, so any fall can make it hard,” Sheree said. “I can walk; it’s just long distances are difficult for me. That weekend though, people showed so much love…they were caring, they didn’t have a problem doing anything for me.”
As that weekend went on, it became more clear to Sheree that she was meant to be here. Through her encounters with students and fellow previewers, her choice was clear. Now, in her second semester at EC, Sheree has only fallen more deeply in love with God and the people he’s placed in her life.
“I’ve always wanted to be at a place where I felt God’s love and there’s just genuine love here. For someone that has been bullied before, it was a culture shock and a nice experience to have outside of family,” Sheree said. “Families are there to help you, but usually not people you just met.”
“Now that I’m here, I was already in love with the school but I’ve fallen deeper and deeper in love with it every day,” she said. “I just love being around here, being with the singers, our trips to different churches and our rides back. The fellowship, the family atmosphere, the fun that we have while being Christians…”
In regards to fellowship, in the friend’s department, Sheree isn’t lacking. She points out key people such as Zachary Vess, Chris Dixon, Ben Carlisle, and Anna Kitchens, to name a few, who have helped make her transition at EC go smoothly.
“A lot of my friends are athletes. If you see me out with anyone it’s Charity Williams, she runs track; Zachary Vess, I met him at Preview Weekend and he plays basketball; Taylor Austin and Alan Pless,” she said. “You’ll always see me with one of those four, more than likely. The love and fun we have…any time we get together, something fun is happening.”
While there is much fun to be had, there is still work to be done. Regarding her educational experience so far, as a Computer Information Systems major, Sheree admits while some of the lectures can be a strain to endure, she loves all of her professors. One professor, Mr. Pettigrew, has helped Sheree in her thirst of knowledge of God.
“I do love Mr. Pettigrew. He’s my Bible teacher and I love studying the bible,” she said. “I love hearing the wisdom he gives out. He just knows the Bible; he’ll sit there and break it down and he loves it.”
Not only has Mr. Pettigrew been a great resource for Sheree academically, Sheree thanks Ginni Maxwell, Director of Campus Life for being a great resource while adjusting socially.
Although many factors play into one’s decision for attending a college, for Sheree, she wanted to experience Christ’s love in a friendly environment. She’s been able to do just that at EC.
“You’re in a good environment, a clean atmosphere,” Sheree said. “Everyone around here is open for encouragement. Every staff member will take time to feed into your life. The devotionals we have before class starts, the prayers our professors lead, the constant prayer atmosphere…I love it.”
Sheree advises that any student looking to attend Emmanuel should do so. But she also advises students to take time to pray and speak to students to learn why they chose to come here themselves.
“Pray. Most importantly, talk to God about it. Definitely speak to students, that was the best thing, getting student feedback, honest student’s responses,” Sheree said. “Speak to an actual real student, especially if it’s an upper classman. Speak to them—ask them what their experience has been like, what helped them through the process.”
If Sheree could sum it up her experience to describe Emmanuel to anyone, she’d use just one word: love.
“It’s just that love you see through-out campus…the encouragement you’re given. And still maintaining the educational aspect, still making sure that they’re doing it out of the love of God, that’s most important.”
