Henry Jackson, a graduate of Carson-Newman University and bound for William & Mary University to pursue his MBA, has a deep passion for baseball—and through that passion— he has come to play for The Full Count Rhythm in this, his 2nd season, in the powder blue and white.  When Henry speaks about baseball, his girlfriend Rebecca, his family and the relationships he has been able to foster through playing the game he loves, you can tell that this young man has a firm grasp of what it means to go “all in”.  Relationships matter to Henry.  Baseball matters to Henry.  Jesus matters to Henry.

Growing up in Waxhaw, NC, Henry was raised in a Catholic home where being a practicing Christian was primarily reserved for holidays and special occasions.  “I thought saying I was a Christian was enough” stated Jackson.  After high school, he was recruited and signed on to play for The Carson-Newman Eagles for his collegiate career.  Henry was aware that Carson-Newman was a Christian college, and thought he would fit right in with what he knew of being a believer.

“I was not living for Christ.  Even though I was in a position of leadership on the team and a Bible study leader, I was just saying the words without a real commitment. I worshipped baseball, not God.”  After Henry’s 3rd year of Eagles baseball, he committed to playing with the Full Count Rhythm.  “That summer (2022) I felt something stirring inside of me and then came June 7th”, Henry continued, “Kevin was running a Bible study at the CrossFit and he was speaking of the commitment and power of going “All in” with your faith.  I knew that this was something I needed to do.  So right there, I decided to respond and go all in”.

Eleven days later, Henry’s experience through faith deepened as he left for Nicaragua on a baseball mission trip with the Rhythm.  When I asked Henry what that experience was like, a confident grin crept onto his face and I could tell something of impact was coming, “It was evident that the gospel is needed desperately there. They are starving for a Savior.  When the Nicaraguan players hear the word for the first time, they light up.  I used Google translate a lot but also felt like I could speak Spanish for a week. Reed Glover (Rhythm Director of Discipleship), said to me ‘Let it not be your words, but God’s words’. I blanked out a couple of times as I knew God was using me.  It was 100% God”. Henry also shared that while in Nicaragua, he decided to publicly profess his commitment to Christ through baptism.

When Henry returned to Carson-Newman for the 2022/2023 school year (his Senior year) he said that things had changed, and he was seeing the world out of a different lens. “Being that my lifestyle had changed, so had my friend circle.  My girlfriend Rebecca has been a big encourager of my Christian walk and I feel God’s timing in all things”.

As Henry is headed to William & Mary in Virginia to pursue his MBA, his goal for the future is to get married, serve a church, work in a field where he has freedom to pour into people and hopefully adopt a couple of wiener dogs.