Pastor Thomas Rorie Jr. Christian Values Scholarship

My name is Zachary Baker. I just graduated on May 22nd from Habersham Central High School as Salutatorian for my class of 459 students. My passion can be summed up in three words… Sharing the Gospel. I have grown up in church all my life, and I’m so thankful for my Christian upbringing. I got saved in second grade at a summer VBS. However, I really began to grow closer to the Lord in 6th grade when my brother passed away in a tragic car accident. Obviously, this was very hard on me… However, through the whole situation, I found hope and comfort in Jesus. Because of the immense strength I drew from the Lord and the Holy Spirit in me during this tragedy, I have an incredibly strong desire to dedicate my life to Him and share Him with others who are hurting. During a church beach retreat in the summer of my Sophomore year, I felt a strong calling from the Lord to go into pastoral ministry. While there are obviously difficulties that come with vocational ministry, as much as I tried, I couldn’t run from the call. I decided that I was going to follow this calling no matter the trials ahead after my Junior year In an effort to spread the gospel in my school, I became very involved in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. I served as President this past year, and have been given the opportunity to speak at two Fields of Faith events attended by hundreds of students and at weekly huddle meetings. In 2024, I was chosen by teachers and coaches as FCA Huddle Leader of the Year and FCA Athlete of the Year in 2025. My school faced a tragedy this past school year when a member of our men’s golf team committed suicide. This greatly affected me, and made my desire to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ even stronger. As hard as it was, I was honored to speak at my friend's funeral and tell about Jesus being the One we should turn to when life doesn’t make sense. I founded a Bible Study for the golf team after this tragedy. We met on Friday mornings at 7:30 am. It was a source of strength and a way to support each other as we dealt with this tragedy. I have also been asked to serve as a pastoral figure for a non-profit organization founded by his parents to promote suicide awareness. I know this organization will make a huge difference in my community and beyond. I am very involved in my church, The Torch. I’m a pastor for Torch Kids Church, a member of the One Way Student Ministry Team, and a speaker at our free food giveaways. I am also a member of The Torch Ecuador Mission team. In October 2023, I spent fall break in Riobamba, Ecuador helping build a church, holding Bible School, and leading worship services. In October 2025, I spent fall break helping build another church in the Ecuadorian part of the Amazon jungle, holding Bible School, and leading worship services where I actually had the opportunity to give my testimony about overcoming grief. I have recently begun an internship at The Torch Worship Center as a pastoral intern. I have enjoyed this internship so much that I actually look forward to going to work, and I believe this confirms my calling to be a pastor one day. I plan to get a degree in Pastoral Leadership at Liberty University to develop my calling of spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ. I have recently realized what a financial burden it is to attend a private Christian college that is out of state which led me to finding this Scholarship opportunity. As I sow seeds, I am trusting the Lord to provide a harvest so I can honor Him best with my life. I look forward to being a pastor of a church one day and possibly even planting a new church. My utmost goal though… is to be a Godly husband and father who loves, protects, and provides for his family, setting an example of good moral character and having a servant’s heart. This Scholarship would definitely help relieve the financial burden that comes along with the educational essentials to pursue these goals.

My Journey to Christ, Career Aspirations, and Vision for the Future My journey into Christianity did not begin at a pulpit or during a revival service—it began in brokenness. I came to know the Lord in the midst of pain, trauma, and hardship. While I accepted Christ at the age of 14, it wasn’t until I reached my early 40s that I fully surrendered to His will and embraced my divine calling. Life had taken me through deep valleys: I endured an abusive marriage, a SWAT invasion of my home, the incarceration of my current husband, the sudden loss of both my mother and sister, and the challenge of raising children who were processing their own trauma. Each of these experiences brought me to a place where I had no choice but to lean on something greater than myself. That “something” became my “someone”, Jesus Christ. I didn’t find the Lord in a traditional sense. Rather, He found me, over and over again—in every broken place. He met me in the quiet cries of my heart, in the moments when I wanted to give up, and in the strength I didn’t know I had when I had to be both mother and father to my children. Through it all, God’s grace held me together. What once felt like punishment, I now recognize as pruning. God was shaping me into the woman He destined me to become. As I matured in faith, I realized that my testimony wasn’t meant to be hidden; it was meant to heal others. God had not only called me out of darkness, He had given me the assignment to lead others into His marvelous light. One pivotal moment that defined my faith-driven leadership occurred during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. As a mother, missionary, and case manager, I was surrounded by people facing tremendous loss, anxiety, and uncertainty, including my own children, who were still healing from trauma. During that season, I was not only navigating my own pain, but also standing in the gap for others who felt hopeless. I began leading virtual prayer calls and offering emotional support to coworkers and families, reminding them that even in darkness, God is near. I shared my testimony, not to gain sympathy, but to offer proof that God’s grace is sufficient, even when life feels impossible. That season marked a spiritual awakening that changed the course of my life, including my professional path. I currently serve as a case manager in a Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) program, and I view my work not just as a job, but as a ministry. Every day, I walk alongside families experiencing poverty, trauma, mental health struggles, and hopelessness. I have the privilege of encouraging them, advocating for them, and helping them rediscover their worth and dignity. It is in these sacred spaces of service that I see God working most clearly. However, I also recognize the need for further education and theological training to fully step into the larger vision God has placed on my heart. My career aspirations are rooted in both ministry and service. I aspire to become a licensed minister or Christian counselor, someone who combines spiritual discernment with professional tools to help others navigate life’s challenges. I also dream of writing devotionals, speaking at conferences, and creating healing spaces for women who’ve experienced domestic violence, grief, and trauma. One day, I hope to establish a faith-based transitional housing facility for single mothers who, like me, are rebuilding their lives while clinging to faith. To reach these goals, I am actively pursuing theological education. However, this journey comes with significant financial obstacles. As a mother still supporting children (adult and minor) while managing household expenses, the cost of seminary education is overwhelming. Receiving this scholarship would ease that burden and allow me to focus fully on my studies, spiritual growth, and preparation for ministry. It would also be an affirmation that my calling is not only necessary but valued and supported by the broader faith community. Academically, this scholarship would give me access to deeper biblical training and mentorship in areas such as hermeneutics, homiletics, and pastoral care. Professionally, it would prepare me for the ministry and nonprofit work that requires both spiritual authority and practical training. Spiritually, it would serve as yet another testimony of how God provides for those who walk in obedience. It would remind me that while the road may be difficult, it is also divinely ordered. Looking ahead, my future plans are ambitious because I serve a limitless God. I envision developing faith-based programs focused on trauma recovery, inner healing, and personal growth, particularly for women and young adults. I plan to host workshops and retreats that combine prayer, Scripture, and practical life coaching to help individuals overcome adversity and walk in purpose. I also intend to launch a podcast and online platform that creates space for transparent conversations around healing, faith, and transformation. One project close to my heart is a discipleship curriculum titled “Distressed but Not Destroyed.” Inspired by biblical figures like Joseph, David, and Jeremiah, who all endured hardship on their way to purpose, the curriculum will help women see themselves in the Scriptures. It will affirm that their pain has purpose and that their story is not over. In five to ten years, I see myself fully walking in ministry, teaching, counseling, and empowering others through the Word of God. I envision partnerships with churches, shelters, and community organizations where I can offer holistic support through my lived experience and professional training. I want to be a voice of hope, a reflection of God’s love, and a vessel of healing. This scholarship is more than financial aid; it is fuel for the vision God has entrusted to me. It would allow me to grow, lead, and serve at a greater capacity, without the added burden of financial strain. Most importantly, it would position me to continue the work I’ve already started, but with more tools, confidence, and clarity. Beyond the classroom, I want to be an advocate for women and families whose voices often go unheard. I want to use my life, not as a tale of tragedy, but as a testimony of triumph. I want others to see that no matter how broken their past may be, God can still bring beauty from ashes. This scholarship is not just an investment in my future—it is an investment in the lives I am committed to serving. With your support, I will continue to rise, teach, serve, and lead—by faith and for God’s glory.