We met up with Interfaith Collegiete, Vice President, Diamond Gantt. The fabulous powerhouse spoke with us about her journey to becoming a minister and passion for her faith.
Name: Diamond Gantt
Classification: Sophomore
Hometown: Washington D.C.
Major: Political Science
HC: When did you feel called to become a minister?
Diamond: I felt the call to preach the gospel at the age of 15. I was a sophomore in high school.
HC: What was the process it took for you to become a licensed minister?
Diamond: At 15, I went to my pastor and told him that I was called to preach, and he said he wasn’t shocked! So a little later I went on to take ministers classes, which consisted of 18 months of 4-hour long classes on Saturdays. I did a lot of studying, prayer, of course, and fasting to make sure that this was what I really wanted to do. And after those classes, I went on to get my license. It was a process of learning, a process of fasting, and a process of praying.
HC: Do you find it difficult to balance being a licensed minister with being a young person in college?
Diamond: Yes, I do find it a little difficult. Of course, no one is perfect, I deal with the same temptations other students deal with, sometimes; I feel my temptations are a little greater. It’s hard but it is possible to stay on the right track. But I often find myself staying busy doing positive things where I could be doing negative things. I just keep myself busy to combat those negative influences that try to overtake me everyday.
HC: What ministry are you apart of on campus?
Diamond: On campus, I am the Vice President of the Interfaith Collegiate Fellowship, which is part of an interfaith initiative that was started by President Barack Obama to incorporate all faiths on campuses.
HC: Where do you want to go with your personal ministry after college?
Diamond: I know when I finish Hampton I want to go on and obtain my Master of Divinity, that is a short-term goal of mine. Also currently, I have had the privilege of traveling, and I would love to go on and continue doing that, so that I can uplift people worldwide. I’m not sure if I will go on to become a pastor of a church, but I know that this is not the end for me, this is only the beginning.
HC: Do you have any advice for students who want to maintain their faith while at school?
Diamond: Always remember that no one is perfect and no matter what you do, whether you fail day-to-day or month-to-month, God has not forgotten about you. And know that nothing you do is reason for God to throw you away, or cast you away. You can always have a relationship with God, just remember to pray and keep him first in all that you do.