Whether Lizzie Teasley is on a basketball court, in a classroom or with a community service project, there is one thing people will always see: Her helping others. 

Teasley’s desire to help in any way possible is something that is ingrained in her lifestyle and personality. But, there are no selfish motives behind her passion to help. Rather, it’s simply the way she wants to lead her life. 

“I’ve always loved acts of service. I live my life by, ‘Jesus didn’t come to be served. He came to serve,’” Teasley said. “And that just puts my life in perspective. I want to serve for the kingdom and for the greater purpose of life.” 

Teasley is currently a student at Emmanuel College in Franklin Springs where she majors in Christian Ministry while also playing on the school’s basketball team. She graduated with honors from Eastside High School in May 2022. Teasley was a member of Future Farmers of America and was a leader for the Lady Eagles’ basketball squad since her freshman year. 

Due to earning so many dual enrollment credits while in high school, Teasley is already able to take a few courses within her major during her first semester of college. 

Included in her major is a requirement to do a practicum — similar to an internship — and she is fulfilling hers at The Jefferson Church in Jefferson. Teasley volunteers an hour a week with the middle school youth group where she shadows, serves and continuously learns different things about youth ministry. 

Doing this on top of her major has helped fuel her long-term aspirations for how she wants to continue to assist others. 

Once Teasley graduates, she wants to do a year of missionary work to travel the world. Afterward, Teasley hopes to open up a gym with a sanctuary. 

She also wants to host different types of groups — widows, those battling depression, grieving groups — as part of the gym/sanctuary. Ultimately, Teasley just wants to combine her love of sports and ministry to help others in both capacities. 

“Yes, sports is a great thing, but once you put your identity in sports, it’ll lead you down paths that will never satisfy you,” Teasley said. “I want to use sports to teach people the importance of why we need a Savior.” 

There are other dreams in Teasley’s mind such as writing books and traveling the world as a speaker.

And, even though Teasley is fully aware that “God could wreck this plan,” she is fully content with whatever she feels called to do, especially if it’s leading through serving. 

“For me, I would want someone to lend a hand if I needed it,” Teasley said. “So, any opportunity that I get to help, I want to be that person for them. Because I know how that can affect someone’s life.”