UM Cheerleader Leads Others To Cheer for Christ

Courtney Cunningham has always loved to cheer. The University of Mobile student said cheerleading is more than supporting a team, exciting a crowd and performing choreographed stunts and dances; cheerleading is a ministry.

“Cheerleading is a talent God has given me,” the freshman majoring in mathematics education said.

It’s a talent she shares as a mentor and role model for young cheerleaders.

Last summer the 18-year-old spent her summer on staff at the Fellowship of Christian

Cheerleaders in locations such as Briarwood Christian Academy in Birmingham, Ala., and Southern Polytechnic University in Marietta, Ga., ministering to hundreds of cheerleaders through squad training and devotions.

Cunningham explains that any cheerleader can put on a “game face” and project a positive image during a competition, but a Christian cheerleader has to stand out from the crowd and show that he or she has Christian characteristics in life.

“The way that you treat your parents, coaches and peers when not in front of a crowd is one way you show others that you are a Christian cheerleader,” said Cunningham.

“Courtney is a great example of how a student can share Christ in words and in deeds. She is consistent in her walk at church, on campus, and on the squad,” said Amy Mercer, cheerleading coach at the Baptist-affiliated University of Mobile. “By just spending a few minutes with her, you can tell she is different and she will tell you her walk with Christ makes her different!”

As a high school student at Faith Academy in Mobile, Cunningham said she sometimes questioned whether she should continue cheering or be involved in other areas of ministry. One day a fellow student told her she had noticed that Cunningham and other members of the Christian school’s squad were different from other cheerleaders. The girl told Cunningham she was very encouraged by their positive attitudes. Cunningham said she realized that God used this conversation to show her that He had given her the talent of cheering.

“I felt like God was saying, ‘I’m using you to witness to others through this. I gave you this talent; use it,’” said Cunningham. “I believe that God sent this girl to me so I would know I was supposed to continue cheering.”

The Fellowship of Christian Cheerleaders provided Cunningham with opportunities to develop her talent. With the motto, “Christ-centered cheerleading excellence world wide,” FCC offers cheerleaders an alternative to secular cheerleading camps.

Cunningham attended her first FCC camp seven years ago. After several years learning from others, she was ready to serve in a leadership role. Working on FCC staff, she said, would allow her to reach out to younger cheerleaders, showing them the love of Jesus Christ through dedication and hard work. She began a rigorous application process her senior year of high school that involved sending in many forms and a video including cheers, chants, jumps, and most importantly, her testimony. Cunningham was then accepted as part of the FCC staff for the 2005 summer and plans to continue working summer camp and national competitions. In the near future she also hopes to join FCC on a mission camp in the Czech Republic or Russia.

Cunningham said cheerleaders at Christian schools often have to edit cheers and dances learned at some secular cheerleading camps.

“We want to be more modest and cut out anything inappropriate,” Cunningham said. Sometimes the cheerleaders even change the dance songs so the audience does not get the wrong impression when hearing a clip from a popular song.

Cunningham said she wants to keep away from a negative cheerleader stereo-type and show the love of Christ.

“In a Christian cheerleading squad, the cheerleaders are more likely to grow together and closer to God instead of being distracted,” Cunningham said. “Most Christian cheerleaders have a whole different attitude.”

Cunningham gives advice to younger cheerleaders, “Follow God with all your heart, keep Him first in your life, and never forget He gave you this talent.”

By Rebecca Capone, sophomore, communication