Emma Kelly: An Unexpected Place

“Whoever is faithful in very little is also faithful in much.” Luke 16:10.

This was the verse that Emma Kelly told me she’s been meditating on during her season of restlessness. As a college student, this was such an amazing reminder that this assignment and any assignment I do is an opportunity to be faithful in everything, no matter how small or unimportant. We are called to work hard and to be good stewards. Kelly practically got a degree in learning how to be a good steward.

Emma Kelly, formerly Emma Sanborn, graduated from Union University in May 2025 with a degree in conservation biology (why that major is a tongue twister for me, I have no clue). Currently, Kelly is the coordinator for facilities management at Union, where she handles bills, receives work orders, assigns technicians and takes care of anything else that may cross her desk. Her degree does not come into play in her work, but that does not mean the job was not an answered prayer.

“A friend told me about this job, and it was just the Lord,” Kelly said. “I didn’t really pursue it; I was just kind of handed an opportunity, so I’m thankful for it.”

Kelly’s connections to Union run deep, falling in love with the environment as a touring high school sophomore. She knew Union would become a home for her; however, she did not have specific expectations for how the next four years — or even the year after graduation — would change her.

“It’s funny because I think about the future a lot, but I never really thought of one specific thing that I would want to do afterwards,” Kelly said. “I didn’t expect to love Jackson so much and to end up here. I didn’t expect to meet Tristan.”

Kelly met her now-husband, Tristan, the cross country assistant coach at Union, through a mutual friend. They never really connected until she offered him a ride to the airport for Christmas break. While on the drive, Tristan mentioned he needed a boxing partner, as he had begun learning the sport. Kelly offered to spar with him, casually revealing that she was training for her black belt in Krav Maga. Some might say it was love at first punch. They got married in November 2025.

While a student, Kelly studied conservation biology. She never changed her mind on it, knowing that she wanted to learn more about God’s creation. She told me that expanding her knowledge of God and His creation expands her love for Him, too.

“I studied conservation biology because I just love God’s creation, and I just couldn’t think of studying anything else because I think it makes me love Him more,” Kelly said. “And if I’m doing something that drives me closer to God, hopefully I can share that with others.”

Her favorite class was Environmental Ethics, where she was able to understand the Christian worldview and its impact on conservation biology. She learned why we should care about creation, about how our view of creation should be and about what kind of stewards we need to be with what we have been given. Although her major can be controversial to Christians, she believes that it is part of being a good follower of Christ.

“I think it’s simply taking care of God’s creation, which He’s given us,” Kelly said. “That’s a good thing, and we should try to do that and preserve it so that other people can see it and enjoy it because it points back to God. It’s evidence of who He is.”

She had the opportunity to take a seasonal job that used her major, working at Natchez Trace State Park over the summer. She was glad she had the opportunity, but the irregular hours were a headache, and there was too much politics and other obstacles in the state park business. That made her thankful for the experience but not willing to go back. She was also getting married in the fall and wanted a reliable schedule that matched Tristan’s.

“I was looking for another job, and this was not on my radar, to be honest. But I was praying that the Lord provides something with regular hours,” Kelly said.

Kelly’s prayer was answered, and she began her job at Union in September 2025. The job is not without its hardships, and in the past few months of working, Kelly has felt them. Kelly prefers to feel like she has a purpose and she is doing something, not sitting in an office — something that made her struggle mentally early on. But she was not without encouragement.

“Maybe the Lord is trying to teach you that He cares more about your heart than about what you do or how much you contribute,” Kelly quoted one of her friends.

Since she is not using her degree currently, she says that she would like to work with it later on, considering her current occupation will likely not be long-term. While she is open to wherever God takes her, she is learning a lot about where she is right now.

Sometimes, having a purpose is doing what work God has given you to the best of your ability. Even though she is not doing exactly what she wants, she still manages to find fulfillment in serving the students and being a part of the campus community. She is faithful in the little things, so she can be faithful in the big things.