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CBC alumni perspective: Asif Shaikh

Name: Asif Shaikh

Graduation Year: 1993

Major: Bible

Current Position: Olympic Chaplain with Fellowship of Christian Athletes and Pastor

City and State: Madeira Beach Florida

Tell us about your career and what you do now.

I have served as a TEAM USA Olympic Chaplain for the past 10 years! I have been to the past 4 Olympic Games serving through Chapel services and ministering one on one with our Olympians. I also have spoken to our Team USA Men’s National Team at the World Cup in South Africa and have been to the last 2 Pan Am Games. I also had the great honor to lead the Clemson Tigers in Chapel with my friend and Hall of Fame Coach Tony Dungy before they defeated Alabama in the National Championship Football game. I also served FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes) part-time at our local High Schools as I continue to be a pastor to our local young professionals. I also served with Campus Crusade and Athletes-In-Action for 10 years serving as the Chaplain for the University of South Florida in Tampa. GO BULLS!

What is your favorite memory from CBC?

My favorite memory is when Pastor Tim Delena came to speak for Spiritual Emphasis week. He brought a fire and revival the school was not accustomed to and really broke the barriers of race and diversity.

How did CBC help you identify/develop your calling?

Forrest Arnold was the most inspirational professor I had. I felt he really cared. Arnold cared about you and that you were impacted by his class. He wanted you to walk away actually learning something versus getting a certain grade. I learned a lot in that Social Dynamics for Men class.

How did your experience at CBC prepare you for life after graduation?

Lifelong friendships….with guys like Brad Keller, Brad Rosenberg and the one the only Mark Batterson….haha. Washington DC was my hometown, and both Mark and Brad got pastoral jobs there so we were able to have lots of fun in our 20’s as their churches grew and they developed into amazing pastors.

What advice would you give a current student preparing for the workforce?

Don’t hide from confrontation. If you have a problem, go to the person immediately, if you need to speak to your boss about something that is troubling you, get it out in the open and speak about it. Don’t keep things to yourself b/c if you do, you will end up developing resentment towards that person or your company or workplace.

What would you look for if you were in a position to hire a new graduate?

Someone who is F.A.T, Faithful Available and Teachable. This generation struggles with remaining teachable. The person has to be able to receive good advice and apply it to help themselves change. If you find a teachable person, you will find someone who will do whatever it takes to fulfill the mission of the company.

MORE

Asif and Leaha Shaikh co-authored the book “Open Doors” with a foreword by fellow CBC alum Mark Batterson and endorsed by former NFL football coach Tony Dungy.

https://smile.amazon.com/Open-Doors-matter-present-future-ebook/dp/B00HZTAZ72/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1544726574&sr=8-1-fkmr0&keywords=open+doors+asif+sheikh