When children are in kindergarten, they are introduced to one job: teacher. Often, that becomes the job they want to do. The church is another place where kids are exposed to careers, and some consider a job in their church. 

Senior Cannon Lambdin’s faith led him to consider a career in the church during his freshman year.

In addition to completing five regular classes, Lambdin is also enrolled at Grace College, working toward an associate’s degree in ministry. 

Lambdin was introduced to the Grace College program by retired band director Bill Laughlin, who also attended the college for ministry. Lambdin discovered a program called “College Launch,” which allows students to take classes while still in high school. 

“My life had been totally changed by people who wanted to share the love of Jesus with me, who had a biblical perspective and wanted to help me know that,” said Lambdin. 

Once Lambdin graduates from Grace College with his bachelor’s degree, he plans to dive right into a ministry vocation if there is an open position in ministry, in what he refers to as his calling.

During his freshman year, it was Youth Pastor Graham Jones who shared a story about his own experience, which made Lambdin consider his own future options. 

“I think I wanna do ministry because it’s changed my life, I wanna share that with other people,” said Lambdin.

Jones believes Cannon has many skills that will help him in his chosen profession.

“If I could describe Cannon as a person, I would say that he is loving and welcoming. As a Christ follower, it is Cannon’s Christian duty to love just as Christ loves and to welcome people, not send them away. I think Cannon does an exemplary job of loving and welcoming people,” said Jones. 

At his church, Lambdin has already taken on some leadership roles, including sharing his love of music and performance with his girlfriend Mary, who both perform for their church family. 

“In the almost four years that I have known Cannon, he has always been willing to step into the challenges that I have asked of him and has thrived in those areas,  whether it is sharing a devotional at our 5th Quarter gatherings after home football games, leading worship with Mary on Wednesday evening youth gathering, or trying new things that he comes up with,” said Jones.  

Back at school, Cannon practices his leadership skills as one of the drum majors for the Pride of Paoli and leads the FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes) under the direction of FCA Sponsor Chris Lindley. 

“FCA has been and always will be something open to anyone willing to give it a chance. It’s one of the many great opportunities here at Paoli to gain a true sense of community, and in this case, a special sense of fellowship,” said Lambdin.

Following the 2020 pandemic, people left the club. Lambdin says he saw a lot of potential and worked to build it back by starting a Bible study every other Friday. The students read scripture, connect with it, and discuss their faith.

Lindley feels Cannon brought new energy to the group when he joined.

“Cannon arrived at just the right time: he had had a deeply personal experience that summer at his church camp, and we were ready to flourish again. Cannon brought a youthful enthusiasm and ignited a fire in the FCA to actually DO events again,” said Lindley. 

The FCA got a new energy with Cannon leading the group.

“He attended a Fields of Faith in New Albany and came back excited and determined that we could do that at PHS. We held our first-ever Courts of Faith that spring, continued our HOPE meetings, rang the bell for the Salvation Army kettle drive, participated in the Angel Tree program, hosted the annual See You At the Pole event, and launched an Instagram page and a Bible Study that spring as well. As a sophomore, he offered leadership to help plan and host our first-ever Fields of Faith, which was a resounding success, and we continued and grew our other outreach activities. Last year, Cannon developed and led a themed Bible study for the entire year and spoke at the Fields of Faith,” said Lindley. 

Currently, the group is planning the annual “See You at the Pole” on September 24 and is preparing for their third Fields of Faith on October 1. At the Fields of Faith event, Lambdin will be leading the event with the help of other FCA students, Garrett Cook, Lyon McCurry, Kayla Barnett, and other student leaders. Last year’s event saw 250 people attend. 

“Cannon has come to represent for me what I hope we develop in the FCA: commitment, leadership, compassion, and personal growth. He continues to explore new opportunities for service and ministry within the school, and he remains a genuine individual. The PHS FCA has grown in new ways because of Cannon’s involvement, and I have been thrilled to see enthusiasm and commitment return. Few students leave such a powerful legacy for an organization,” said Lindley. 

Lambdin is currently on track to earn his associate’s degree in ministry. However, for now, he will continue to lead his classmates on the band field and serve in the student-led FCA. 

Youth Pastor Graham Jones has simple advice for Lambdin.

“Some advice I would give to Cannon is to never stop learning, never think that you have learned all there is about God the Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit. Always put your relationship with God first, then your family, then your church family. If that gets out of order, then it won’t be as successful as it can be,” said Jones.