Overcoming and Persevering

Overcoming and Persevering

Recently, at Rockford, we had the golden opportunity of hearing the testimony of a young man who has persevered and overcome some extreme struggles in life.  He is careful to give God the glory, honor and praise, because without God’s help and Christ living in him, he would not be where he is today.

Price Sparks, a preacher’s son from Tallassee, Alabama spoke at Rockford on June 31 and truly made an impact on the lives of all who were in attendance.

Price graduated from Elmore County High School in 2011 where he was a member of the Maroon Machine and the Panther Football Team his senior year.

He was selected as the National Tourette Syndrome Association Ambassador for the State of Alabama in 2011 and traveled to Washington D.C. for training.

Price received a full academic scholarship to Jacksonville State University and began in the fall of 2011 where he is seeking a degree in Business Management.

Price was inducted into the Phi Eta Sigma Honor Society in spring 2012 and named to the Dean’s List both semesters of his freshman year at JSU.

Price was selected a Jacksonville State University Presidential Ambassador in spring 2012 for the 2012-2013 school year.

He was a member of the Jacksonville State University Marching Southerners in fall of 2012 where he was part of the halftime show which included football games at the University of Arkansas and the University of Florida.

Again Price was selected a JSU Presidential Ambassador in spring 2013 for the 2013-2014 school year and this time was named to the President’s List both semesters of his sophomore year at JSU.

Price has spoken to numerous civic groups and organizations, churches and schools, and even to nursing classes at Jacksonville State about his struggles with Tourette Syndrome.

Having Tourette’s was a difficult thing for Price.  He grew up thinking he was different, being excluded from others, and with daily thoughts of suicide.  His entire life was a daily struggle through the first ten years of school.  Then in the eleventh grade he was confronted with the gospel and an invitation to accept Christ as his Savior and Lord.  He took the leap of faith and God has blessed him in many and marvelous ways.

Not counting the acceptance and inclusion into the life of others as he found himself with friends for the first time in his life; his entire future was falling into place, as God rewarded him for being a believer who was walking the walk and talking the talking.  He watched as God gave him the opportunity to a place on the football team at his high school as place kicker and perform with the band during the half time show.  Next he scored a 32 on the ACT and was granted a full scholarship to Jacksonville State University.  In the meantime he was selected to attend the training for the Tourette’s Syndrome Association in Washington D.C. to become a state ambassador in Alabama.  How God favored him in so many ways is a beautiful story of a life God has chosen for a specific purpose and plan.

While we do not know the future for Price, we do know that at this time he is following God.  Through the example of a Godly walk, and countless variety of ways God is using this young man because of his humble obedience to the Savior who has changed him and given him a new lease on life.

God bless you my brother!