HOLLY POND, Ala. — Holly Pond High School’s Sofia Hays just began her sophomore year in August, and in this interview, she discusses her faith, starting with a couple of her favorite Bible verses.
“God means so much to me. He’s the reason I’m here today. Psalm 46:1 says, ‘God is my refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble’. This reflects the comfort and security He provides in time of need. His presence brings peace to my heart especially when faced with hard times and challenges. He shows there’s always good in hard times. Roman 8:28 is a verse that speaks the idea of good coming from bad situations. It says, ‘And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose’. This verse suggests that even in difficult or seemingly negative circumstances, God can bring about good for those who are in a relationship with Him. God has also been a big light in my life and has guided me in a way to where I live for Him. I hope to instill all of these values on the court to be a good example and a good teammate,” Hays said. “He has changed my life in many ways. He has changed the way I make decisions, my perspective on life, and my faith during hard times. Knowing God has changed how I react to situations. I try to treat people how I want to be treated and seek His guidance when faced with decisions.”
Sofia wants to use her own experience with God to help people of all ages have a relationship with Him, and she wants to be a Godly role model that younger kids can look up to.
“It’s important to me to help people of all ages to find God, because everyone deserves to know Him. No matter how young or how old, it’s never too late to grow your faith in Him. Knowing God provides a foundation for moral and ethical living. Proverbs 1:7 says, ‘The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge’. It emphasizes that a relationship with God is essential for understanding right from wrong. This principle applies to all individuals at every stage of life, guiding their decisions and actions. I want people to see Him and His goodness through me, and I want to be a light and an example of God’s goodness for others to see,” Hays said. “It’s important to be a role model for younger kids, because I hope they would look up to me and realize how good knowing God is. Kids tend to learn by example and always observe how you act. For many children, their first understanding of God does not come from shows or books; it comes from people.”
Sofia added,
“If you reflect God’s love, patience, grace, and truth, you’re teaching them, ‘This is what God is like’. The opposite is also true: if someone claiming to follow God is harsh, hypocritical, or unloving, it can distort a child’s view of God for years. Kids today are surrounded by confusion, pressure, and temptation. Being a Godly role model doesn’t mean shielding them from everything. It means giving them a steady example of peace, wisdom, and purpose in the middle of it all. When you model God’s truth, you teach them they are loved, chosen, forgiven, and created for a purpose. That identity is unshakable, and it can carry them through every challenge in life.”
She mentioned a couple of her own role models that she looks up to, and she wants to use her platform as a volleyball player to help her teammates and the younger girls get closer to God.
“My Godly role models are my meme and my volleyball coach, Adrien Adams. They both play huge roles in my life and are amazing role models to not only me but everyone around them. Coach Adams has been my coach for three years and has impacted my life in ways I didn’t know a coach could. Coach Adams is someone who truly lives out her faith, and she doesn’t just talk about it. She’s someone whose actions reflect God’s love, even when no one’s watching. She is more than just someone who trains us in our sport; she’s someone who leads us with her faith, and it shows in everything she does. She pushes us to be excellent but always reminds us that our identity is not in our performance, but in who we are in God. She shows me that being godly isn’t about being perfect; it’s about being real, leading with love, and standing firm in faith. She leads with purpose, teaches with heart, and lives like someone who walks with God.”
Sofia added,
“It means everything to me. Volleyball isn’t just a sport. It’s a platform that God gave me to influence others, especially my teammates and the younger kids who look up to us. Every time I step on the court, I know it’s not just about winning games; it’s about representing Christ in how I lead, how I treat people, and how I respond to challenges. There are so many moments in sports that test your character: when you’re frustrated, losing, or facing pressure, and I try to use those moments to show what faith looks like in action. Whether it’s praying with someone, speaking encouragement, or just being consistent and kind, I want people to see that there’s something different, and that difference in God. You never know who’s watching. A younger kid in the stands, a teammate going through something hard, even one small moment of faith can make a huge impact. I want to use this platform to shine a light, to remind people that their worth comes from God, not their performance, and that He’s with them on and off the court.”
She attended a very special church camp last summer, and that helped her get even closer to God as well. She gave some advice for anyone that wants to have a relationship with God but might be struggling when it comes to doing that.
“My favorite church mission would have to be attending church camp last summer. That experience helped me grow closer to God and strengthened my walk with Him. The entire weekend was only focused on the Lord. No phones, no distractions, only each other and our Bibles. I was living in the enjoyment of God, and I saw the goodness He gives. Church camp changed me in a way, and it made God feel real, not just something I believe in, but someone I know. I left camp with a renewed faith, a deeper love for Jesus, and a desire to live for Him daily,” she said. “My advice to them would be that you’re not alone. So many people want a relationship with God but don’t know where to start, or they feel like they’re too far gone, too broken, or not ‘spiritual enough’. The truth is, though, God meets us right where we’re at, not where we think we should be. You don’t have to have it all together. You just have to be real with Him,” she said, “Tell Him how you feel, what you’re struggling with, and what you want. Open your Bible, even if it’s just a few verses a day. Start in Psalms or John. Ask God to speak to you through it, and find people who love Him, a youth group, or a friend, because community makes a huge difference. Most importantly, be patient. Relationships take time, even with God. Don’t chase a feeling. Chase truth. God promises in Jeremiah 29:13: ‘You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart’. If you keep showing up, He will too. God isn’t looking for perfect people. He’s looking for honest hearts. Don’t give up.”
Sofia does a lot of things throughout the day to help keep her grounded in her faith, and she has taken away so much during her walk with the Lord so far.
“I try to start my morning with a prayer. I thank God for a new day, and I ask Him to lead me. I try to read at least a few verses from the Bible, even if it’s just one chapter. During the day, I’ll sometimes talk to God like a friend with quick prayers before a test, a game, or just stressful moments in my life. I also enjoy playing worship music when driving or getting ready to keep my mind focused on Him. At night, I always pray, thanking God for letting me live another day, what I’m thankful for, and people that need to be prayed for. It’s not always perfect and consistent, but these small habits help me stay grounded in my faith throughout the day.”
She added,
“What I’ve learned the most is that His love is constant. Even when I mess up, even when I feel distant, He never gives up on me. I used to think I had to be perfect to stay close to Him, but I’ve learned that He just wants my heart, not my performance. I’ve also learned that God’s timing is better than mine. There were moments when I didn’t fully understand why certain things were happening, but looking back, I can see how He was protecting me, growing me, or preparing me for something better. Maybe most of all, I’ve learned that I’m never alone. Through every high and low, wins, losses, heartbreaks, and breakthroughs, God has been right there, teaching me to trust Him more and more, and to walk by faith, and not by feelings.”
