Local anchor shares faith, challenges students
By Nancy DeVille
Diversity Institute Fellow
10.29.02
A local television sportscaster urged Belmont University students Wednesday to establish an unyielding Christian faith and allow it to serve as the basis for how they make decisions in life.
Rudy Kalis, sports anchor for WSMV Channel 4, told an audience of about 75 students that his own life bears witness to the importance of developing one’s spiritual side.
“You have to believe by faith that God has a plan for your life,” said Kalis.
Kalis, a 28-year journalism veteran, made the remarks during a weekly convocation lecture sponsored by the Belmont student ministry organization. The lecture series is held each semester to provide students opportunities to explore their faith, said University Minister Dave Hunt.
The current series features Christian professionals from various careers who try to convey the message that an occupation doesn’t prohibit one from being a minister.
Kalis told students that his broadcasting career has given him a platform to share the message of Jesus Christ to non-believers. He said, however, that an experience he had as an amateur race driver was perhaps the one thing that greatly challenged and strengthened his faith.
Students listened attentively as he talked about how he lost control of a car he was driving while practicing for a Nashville Speedway race. He crashed into a wall at 60 mph. Kalis said the fact that he survived was nothing short of a miracle in his eyes, and the incident was a reminder of how things in life can be taken away in a heartbeat.
“God has taken difficult things that happened to me and given me an insight,” he said.
Kalis said he believes his Christian faith has helped him achieve professional success. He told students they can try to do a good job on their own, but they can’t make effective choices without faith. Citing the Bible, Kalis defined faith as those things one hopes for but cannot see.
He advised students to be different and allow their lives to shine so people can see Christ through them.
“Character is what you are when people are not around,” he said. “Go out there and change the world, but be the right person. You can only change it by what you are inside.”
Hunt said the speech helped to convey an important point.
“You don’t have to be a minister to witness,” said Hunt. “Ministry is to be done outside the church.”