Name: William Hunter Spurgeon
Hometown: Madison, Alabama
Birthdate: 01/26/1989
Religion: ChristianEthnicity: Caucasian (with Native American and English heritage, distant relative of Princess Diana Spencer on my mom's side, and possibly Rev. Charles Spurgeon on my dad's side.)
Major: Mechanical Engineering
About Me: I guess I'd call it a blossoming love for all things unspoiled by humanity's brokenness. I have recently become entranced by God's creation on the largest and smallest of scales. I love to rock climb and boulder, and thus am fascinated by every mountain and monolith that I see. I love wandering on trails lightly and often travelled alike, and lately I have become interested in making my own gear to lighten up my pack for backpacking and day hiking. (Check out Tinny's videos on the "minibulldesign" youtube channel for help on alcohol burning stoves, pots, etc. Jason Klass has some creative do-it-yourself videos as well.)
I am studying engineering at the University of Alabama, and I can usually be found working in the computer labs in Hardaway Hall or loading up my plate at the Fresh Food Company during the weekdays, and traveling around the southeast climbing or camping on the weekends. This semester especially, I feel like I'm always working, so it kind of bums me when I see many of my friends getting to hang out and build relationships when I usually can't find the time. Many of my friends are from the campus ministry I attend, RUF. I feel like the spiritual struggles I face at UA are different than those I've faced before because of my growing head knowledge of the Word, but a lack of noticeable growth in the Holy Spirit. As I've been reading through Acts, I've noticed that the same Holy Spirit that fell on the disciples and changed them from a crew of bumbling fools into powerful speakers of Truth and miracle workers (Phillip teleported!) was given to the Gentiles...us! This confuses me because I don't see that in many of the people claiming to be believers...I don't know what to think... I've got great friends here to talk about things like this, but like I said, I often don't have the chance due to a busy school schedule. This is something I've had to struggle with in college, because my high school experience was so rich with fellowship with good friends.
I went to Bob Jones High School. I was very involved in all kinds of language, government, and faith-based organizations and ran, with moderate success for the Cross Country and Track teams there. Many of my teammates became close friends and we usually went to football or basketball games or watched movies for fun. Though I thoroughly enjoyed my high school experience, I am now finished with wishing I could go back. Haha. I'm glad to fight the TV watching, bar-hopping, sedentary lifestyle that most students subscribe to (mostly joking).
This often leads to issues of pride in my athletic achievement, but I have experienced seasons of success with still-probably-sinfully-motivated-but-at-least-outwardly-God-glorifying-praise. One of the things that is hardest for me to maintain is glorifying Christ when life is easy. When stuff is going awry I focus more on the things that matter, and therefore live more intentionally for the cause of Christ and rely on Him. I guess that's probably common for most believers, but a struggle of mine, nonetheless.
One part of who I am is bound in my family and the relationships therein. I have two loving, however imperfect, parents with whom I quarrel on occasion, but generally adore and enjoy spending time with, and whom I always will love. My mom is a nurse and my dad is a graphic design and marketing guy. My brother is a senior in high school and is surprisingly different from me in so many ways. We get along just fine. I actually think that these differences are fantastic and I'm sure that he'll soon find someone with as interesting tastes as he has, and they'll be a fantastic couple satisfied in each other and Christ. I'm so excited for what God has for him in college and beyond. My sister is adorable and is growing up into a wonderful young woman with and superb softball player. She has a great group of friends, but is plagued by the standard-issue "girl drama" anyways. If anyone has the solution to this...let me know. It kills me to see all of these great girls squabbling all of the time.
What, I hope, is the biggest part of who I am is wrapped up in what Christ has made me. I am saved from the cares of this Earth by knowing and trusting in the vicarious death and resurrection of my Savior, Jesus. There is eternal life in Him that doesn't need to be waited on. It begins here!
In Him I have strength when there should be none to be had. By Him and for Him all things were created. And in His face there is more majesty than all of this world combined. These thoughts are going to be pivotal if these Seven Summits and both poles are going to happen. I guess that's me in a nutshell, thanks for reading.
In Christ,
W. Hunter Spurgeon,
