Floyd (EU ’86) and Katrina Graham
Current occupation: Assemblies of God World Missionaries to Myanmar
What brought you to Springfield?
Floyd: I was a Marine Biology major at a community college in Daytona Beach, Florida, and I originally wanted to pursue a career in that field. However, I failed chemistry and realized that marine biology was not for me. I felt a calling into ministry, and a friend who attended my church was a student at Evangel. I looked into EU and decided that it was the place for me.
Katrina: I was interested in pursuing an Art major, and Evangel offered a really impressive art program, so I enrolled at EU and studied graphic design. Floyd and I met at EU and got engaged, so I wasn’t able to finish my degree at that time. However, I am currently planning to complete my degree at EU.
How did your time at Evangel prepare you for life after college?
Floyd: My spiritual walk was strengthened so much during my time at Evangel. The spiritual formation I received has helped me throughout life. I remember chapel services at Evangel and times of prayer with my roommates. As various struggles in life have come about in marriage and in raising children, I recall those intense times of prayer, and am able to put what I learned into practice.
Katrina: I received the baptism in the Holy Spirit at Evangel. I grew up in Indonesia, and during a chapel service at EU, a woman started speaking in fluent Indonesian. I thought to myself, “I know what she just said!” I knew there would need to be an interpretation and another woman interpreted the message exactly. And in that moment, I was filled with the Holy Spirit right there in my seat. That was a transformational moment in my life.
I also believe that the community at Evangel is one that you can’t find anywhere else. Participating in the community while we were students provided an example for us to replicate after we left campus. We’ve tried to instill that same sense of community and love in every place we’ve lived and served.
How did you come to pursue a missionary placement in Myanmar?
Floyd: I joined the military after graduating from Evangel, and retired in 2013. After my retirement, I worked in insurance and banking, and we settled as a family in San Antonio, Texas. In 2015, there was a Jubilee celebration in Myanmar for the Bible College that Trina’s dad started in 1962. Her father asked us to come and help with that event, and during that trip, we fell in love with the people and the region. We left with a strong desire to return and minister to the people there, so we pursued a missionary appointment. It has been a God-led journey, and we are excited about the future.
What would be your message to prospective students considering Evangel?
Floyd: Assemblies of God schools prepare you not just for a career, but for life. If you put in the work and immerse yourself in the environment, you will gain life-long friends and mentors. Professors who have a love of the Lord will come alongside you and pour into your life if you’ll allow it. The experiences you have while a student will impact your life, and you’ll find God-sized dreams and passions that you wouldn’t have discovered elsewhere.