Bethany Hamilton

I’m a singer-songwriter, the eldest of four siblings, and a very relational person. I grew up in Inverness and lived in Merkinch until I was 18, when I moved to England to do a Youth for Christ gap year. I didn’t grow up in a Christian family, but I wouldn’t say I was completely unchurched either. The Church worked with my school and supported me in loads of ways, including helping me get bursaries for SU holidays and giving me chances to take on young leadership roles in clubs related to SU. I gave my life to Jesus during my gap year, and it honestly changed my life for the better.

Because I grew up in the area as a non-Christian, I really relate to it and to the young people here. It’s easy for me to understand what they’re saying and know the places they’re talking about. I grew up in a working-class family and went to Inverness High School myself, so some of the teachers know me and remember me, which makes it even more amazing to start something new here. I still have siblings in the school too, who understand my job and are just excited that I’m home. That also helps me understand the changes in the school and what day-to-day life is like for young people now. I feel so blessed to have this job, because I would have loved the opportunity to attend something SU were doing in High School.