In the time that I've had the pleasure of knowing Johnny Shelton, no one has had a more profound impact on my life. With his wisdom and insight, he quickly became the most influential person I've ever met. I can say without a shadow of a doubt that if God had not put him in my life, I would not be where I am today. He taught me over the course of a couple years what it truly means to be alive.

I had always acknowledged God and considered myself a Christian because I went to church and prayed everyday, but I still didn't know what it meant to have God at the center of your life. The Bible says to "acknowledge Him in all your ways and he will guide you on the right paths", but I only wanted to acknowledge Him in some of my ways, while doing my own thing in the others. This included football. I was grateful to God for the success that I had and where I was, but at the same time, I was playing for myself.

Football was what I used to justify my own self-worth, so my goals were pride-based. I wanted to be the best and get all the awards and accolades I could because I mistakenly thought that I would somehow be accepted or validated as a person. So during the 2008 season, when I struggled heavily for the first time in my career, I sank into a depression. Having no answers for what was going on, I turned to Johnny for some help and advice. We met weekly, and the whole time he encouraged me and reminded me that this was not in vain, but there was some ultimate purpose to it all; that sometimes we get too short-sighted and don't think long-term with what is happening.

The first thing he told me when I asked him for help was “Sometimes the Potter has to destroy the clay in order to build it back up again and make it even better". What has followed in the time since is exactly what that quote says. Long story short, the rest of the school year was a struggle, not just in football but in all areas; but I found out what exactly it meant to have God at the center of your life. My whole perspective on life and how I approach it completely changed because of that time. Since then, I've rededicated my life to God and oh man, did He deliver or what? I went on to have the best season of my life, got those awards I always wanted, and completed my dream of making the NFL just recently (and that's only mentioning the football-related; there was just as much blessing in the rest of my life).  This time however, I know that these are all tremendous blessings, but in the grand scheme they are meaningless. All that matters is what I do with them in order to bring the glory back to God and not myself. I no longer feel the need to succeed for my own validation because my validation has always lied with God in no matter what I do with my life.

Without Johnny Shelton, I would have never come to this life-altering realization. I thank God everyday for using him to bring me to where I am and changing my life; and it's not just in football, either. God's making some amazing things happen in the rest of my life as well, and His mercy and grace never cease to humble me everyday. With God planted firmly at the center of my life, I can now pursue every dream without fear because I know He will lead me exactly where I'm supposed to go, even when the circumstances seem unclear or impossible. I am forever grateful not only to God, but to Johnny for giving me this perspective that has allowed me to be at peace. I hope that everyone gets a chance to meet someone as great as Johnny; someone that will have as big an impact on their lives as much as he has had on mine.

"Commit your activities to the Lord and your plans will be achieved." Proverbs 16:3

God is really showing us how much He loves us through Johnny Shelton. Johnny loves us, encourages us, challenges us, and leads us to Christ. Johnny prays over every one of our lockers in the mornings. God is working in the lives of our teammates in big ways. Since Johnny came to be our chaplain, we are all learning what it means to be a Godly man. Johnny sets a great example of what a real man is. Johnny’s bible studies before games inspire us and motivate us and prepare us for battle. Most importantly, Johnny reminds us that our purpose is glorifying God. The Lord is speaking through Johnny to give us an eternal perspective, which helps us overcome temptation and realize that the pleasures of the world are only temporary. Even though it is our nature to fall in to the temptation of a college athlete, Johnny assures us that Christ offers something so much better. He died on the cross to take the penalty for our sins and to set us free from the bondage of sin. The only way to true fulfillment and true life is a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Johnny shows us that in order for us to be a real man and a real leader, we need to surrender our lives to Christ. In order for us to surrender, Johnny walks us through recognizing who is on the throne of our lives. Is it me? Is it my coach? Is it my girlfriend? If we don’t have Christ on the throne, and we are living to impress people, we are in for a world of hurt. The only one who can love us perfectly and unconditionally is Jesus. Even when we mess up, drop a pass, miss a block, commit a sin, Christ still loves us and pursues us and forgives us. Johnny Shelton is a Godly man, and he has given his life to serving God by leading us to Christ.

"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men."
Colossians 3:23

Matt Waldron #49 (Kicker, 2006-2009)
After arriving at Virginia Tech I realized just how worldly and influential a college campus is.  It did not take me long to realize that you need a Godly person around to keep you accountable.  That person, for me and for many of my fellow teammates, is Chaplain Johnny Shelton.

When I first arrived at the VT football locker room it was full of cheating, stealing and lying, which creates a negative atmosphere for a growing college football team.  However, after four years on the team, with three of those having Johnny around, we have all seen dramatic improvements in not only ourselves, but in our team, as well.  From promoting less cussing and less negative attitudes with pregame motivational prayers and praying with my teammates in a circle after practice, Johnny has made a difference.  I know for me personally the prayer circle after practice brought a joy to my heart in seeing so many of my teammates consistently looking for something greater in their lives.  One of the most significant additions that I have enjoyed is attending his weekly pre-game Share Times.  This was a time for self reflection and also for many players to share what was on their hearts and also we learned a lot about the person that was speaking on more of a personal level.  This changed my heart towards a lot of guys and I thank Johnny for allowing us to open up to him. 

Johnny is not only a Chaplain, he is also somebody that you can turn to if you need to talk about normal life and get advice, which is common in college.  I know there have been times where I needed to talk about my football frustrations and even about how God is slowly changing my independent lifestyle to fit that of a married man.  I have truly appreciated having Johnny around, always making himself available for when one of my teammates or myself needs him. I think Virginia Tech has been blessed with a true man of God, because it says in God’s word that “in ALL your ways (football and life) acknowledge Him and He will direct your path.” Proverbs 3:6.

Orion Martin #90 (2004-2008)
I was raised in the Church from a young age by my family.  Being in the church at a young age taught me how to respect God and walk the Christian life.  My family always taught me how to give God the glory in everything I did, even in athletics.  Once I got to college I was preached the same word through Athletes in Action and through team Bible studies with Fellowship of Christian Athletes about glorifying God in my sport.  I had my share of ups and downs while in college but through it all I knew God was Lord of my life.  My challenge everyday is to keep God first in all areas of my life and live for Him.

"The LORD is my light and my salvation -- whom shall I fear?" - Psalm 27:1

Johnny Shelton has been a real blessing to have on our team for the past year.  He is just a joy to have around and everybody loves him.  He has been teaching us that it's more to life than football, and really being up front on what it takes to be a man.  Through his Bible studies, I have learned to trust the proposes of God and risk giving my life to them.

Dustin Pickle #35 (2005-2008)
I give all the glory to Jesus Christ who is my Lord and Savior.  My purpose is to let God use me as a vessel to reach other people.  We as athletes should be using our athletics as a platform to share Jesus Christ's love and salvation.  We are not athletes that use Christianity to better ourselves in sports, but we are Christians that need to be usng athletics to better ourselves as Christians.  We need to be serving God by spreading the good news and by being fishers of men.

"I can do everything through Him who gives me strength." - Phillipians 4:13

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Steve Canter (Player 2001-2003, VT Graduate Assistant Coach 2004,2009)

As a Christian I understand the importance of using the platform our precious God has given us to influence other believers and non-believers. As a high school coach and teacher and now as a college football coach, I have been blessed with the opportunity to teach a number of young people what truly living is all about and that is through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

I look forward to glorifying our Lord through my actions for years to come and having Johnny Shelton on staff as a friend and mentor has been a blessing. Johnny has been a positive influence on the players and staff and his presence in our meetings and locker room has changed the program. I am very appreciative of the time Johnny dedicates to the staff for our spiritual development. We are all "under construction" and he has been God's power tool that has brought many of us closer to the finished product we all aspire to be.

Grant Throckmorton #14  (2004-2008)
Played in Sugar Bowl, Gator Bowl, Chick-Fil-A Bowl, Orange Bowl,
Teammate on 2 ACC championship teams.

"Many plans are in a man's mind, but it is the Lord's purpose for him that will stand." - Proverbs 19:21

I believe in giving credit where credit is due.  Johnny Shelton has helped me to do just that.  I have been fortunate enough to have a wonderful life that includes a great family and the ability to do my dream job at my dream school.  I have often referred to my circumstances as being very lucky.  Johnny Shelton has given me several friendly reminders that luck has nothing to do with it!  My life circumstances are a blessing from above and for that I should be extremely grateful.  Sometimes it takes a special person in your life to keep certain things in perspective.  That person for us is Johnny Shelton!

Whether it is our Thursday Coaches Share Time, Team Chapel on Saturdays before a game or the gift of a Coaches Bible, Johnny is constantly placing God and his teachings in front of us all.  His presentation of “God’s Game Plan” is both insightful and motivating and helps me to strive to be a better Christian, Husband, Father, Son, Employee and community member.

I am often asked what makes Virginia Tech such a special place to work.  We have a great staff, facilities, notoriety and a great community to live in.  However, the single best thing about working at Virginia Tech is the ability to be around great athletes with character.  That character comes from their upbringing and from positive influences throughout our program.  Johnny has strengthened those influences and constantly challenges us on our roles and responsibilities in the development of each player as a man.  That is a challenge I accept and I appreciate Johnny’s willingness to Coach us in this endeavor.  Johnny has taught me that luck is random and that a blessing is intentional and all part of God’s master plan for my life.  Thanks be to God!

 I spent all of my time pursuing what I thought was important, but when I walked out of my first “Share Time” in the Fall of 2009, my perspective, my world, my everything, came full circle in the realization that I was lost. In my first “Share Time” at Virginia Tech, Johnny talked about what it means to be a “Man Under Construction”. He talked specifically about Matthew 7:24-27, which discusses two types of foundations; the rock, and the sand. After hearing what he had to say, I realized that I had been living my whole life as though I was living upon this rock, but in truth I was oblivious to the fact that I was founded upon sand. My pursuits were all things of man, and my justification was the very same. So now the question became: Now that I have this knowledge, what am I going to do about it? The answer, transformation through the pursuit of Christ.

My first year and half at VT can simply be summed up in the word, transformation. Over this period of time I went from a child pursuing and chasing after things of the world, to a Godly man; living righteously, walking the narrow path towards the narrow gate. Life as a Christian is not easy, and it takes a lot of will power and strength to live a Godly life. I quite possibly was at the highest point in my life in July of 2010 heading into my 2nd year at VT, but starting in August things came quickly crashing down. The three “G’s” in my life started disappearing, and being stripped of those things that were most important to me sent me into depression. I myself chose to give up the Girl, so that I could pursue my relationship with Jesus Christ, and this was quite possibly the hardest thing I’ve ever done in my life. I loved her then, and I still love her today, but where I am today is completely different than where I was then, and without sacrificing things in our life with the willingness of Abraham giving up Isaac, we can never truly come to love God whole-heartedly. Don’t get me wrong, the Fall of 2010 semester was possibly the worst time of my life, but without this suffering how can one really transform themselves? As it says in Hebrews 4:12, “For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow…”. I struggled heavily with depression and went months on minimal sleep. I questioned myself and struggled with feelings of regret, of guilt, of disgust with myself. The Bible cuts you so deeply, exposing our innermost weaknesses and showing us for who we really are. It is when we are exposed that we see clearly what we really are and have to turn to God for mercy, for grace, for love, and ultimately for the direction to become a “new creation”. 

Without Johnny there to guide me and to speak into my life, my heart, and my hunger for God, I wouldn’t be here today. I owe so much of my spiritual growth and my transformation from worldly child to Godly man to him. I can’t tell you the number of times I spent talking to him in his office, or especially on the sidelines at practice. Honestly, it was probably every day, but as it says, “But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called "today," that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.”(Hebrews 3:13). Johnny was always there to encourage me and lead me through my period of transformation, and to God I am thankful for this. I don’t think there are many individuals who commit themselves like Johnny does to being a Team Chaplain. He is a Godly man, whose greatest desire is to lead young men to Christ, and he does this with fervent passion, devoting countless hours to this pursuit. I think all of us at Virginia Tech, and especially members of the football team are blessed to have him here making an immense impact on us all.

1 Corinthians 13:11 “When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways”