From Greece to Oklahoma: A Student Journalist Returns to Her Mission

Faith Facts

• Harding University journalism student returns for second internship at a Christian news organization, bringing lessons learned from international study and campus ministry reporting
• Young writer credits mentorship from Christian journalism leaders with shaping her commitment to truth-telling and faith-based communication
• Student balances academic excellence with hands-on ministry through campus newspaper, broadcast work, and international study in historic Christian lands

OKLAHOMA CITY — Kenzie James, a senior multimedia journalism major at Harding University, has returned for her second summer internship with a Christian news organization, bringing with her fresh perspectives from international travel and a deepened commitment to faith-based journalism. Her journey from Florida to Arkansas to Oklahoma reflects the restless energy of a generation called to serve through storytelling.

James thrives on movement and purpose. At Harding, she divides her time between The Bison student newspaper, the campus broadcast station HU16, and her photography work—all while maintaining her academic studies. Her ability to juggle multiple responsibilities stems from a childhood spent traveling with family, learning early that life’s richest experiences often come from stepping outside comfort zones.

During fall 2024, James spent a semester studying abroad in Europe, visiting 13 countries in three months. The experience wasn’t merely tourism—it was an education in perseverance, cultural awareness, and appreciating both the new and the familiar. Greece particularly captured her heart during a two-week stay that included Porto Rafti, Athens, and Corinth—cities steeped in biblical history and Christian heritage.

When she returned to Greece for a spring break communication class, James discovered something unexpected: the calm of returning to familiar places didn’t diminish the excitement of new discovery. Instead, revisiting these ancient cities allowed her to see details she’d missed the first time, to understand the culture more deeply, to appreciate the layers of history where early Christians once walked.

That same blend of calm and excitement now defines her return to Oklahoma City. Last summer, James arrived as a nervous newcomer, uncertain about navigating an unfamiliar city and professional environment. Those concerns evaporated quickly as she found herself welcomed into a community that valued both her faith and her journalistic calling.

The internship transformed her writing. As news editor for The Bison during the following academic year, James found herself mentally consulting the lessons learned from her Christian journalism mentors. The discipline of clear, truthful writing—grounded in both professional standards and Christian integrity—became second nature.

“I can proudly say I’ve grown as a writer,” James reflects, noting the progress evident in her improved confidence and craft.

This summer brings new challenges and opportunities. James will focus on audio and video content, expanding her multimedia skills in service of faith-based storytelling. The digital landscape continues evolving, and Christian communicators must adapt while maintaining their commitment to truth and traditional values.

For young believers like James, journalism isn’t merely a career—it’s a calling. In an era when mainstream media often dismisses or distorts Christian perspectives, faithful journalists serve as essential witnesses to truth. They document how the church serves communities, celebrates life, and upholds the dignity of every person created in God’s image.

James’s international experiences inform her American perspective. Visiting lands where Christianity flourished for millennia reminds us that our faith transcends borders and generations. The apostle Paul walked streets in Greece that James photographed centuries later. That continuity of witness should inspire every Christian communicator to excellence.

The importance of Christian higher education shines through James’s story. Harding University, like other faith-based institutions, equips students not just with professional skills but with a biblical worldview that shapes how they engage the world. These schools remain vital for raising up the next generation of Christian leaders, journalists, educators, and ministers.

As James embarks on her second summer in Oklahoma City, she carries forward a tradition of Christian journalism that values accuracy, clarity, and service. Her willingness to embrace new roles while returning to familiar places models the balance believers must strike—remaining rooted in timeless truth while engaging contemporary challenges.

The enthusiasm James brings to her work reflects a generation that refuses to accept the secular narrative that faith belongs only in private spaces. Young Christians are reclaiming their voice in journalism, entertainment, education, and public life. They understand that retreating from culture means surrendering influence to those who don’t share our values.

James grew up attending Timberlane Church of Christ in Tallahassee, Florida, where she learned that faith isn’t passive—it demands active engagement with the world. Whether operating cameras at basketball games, interviewing sources for newspaper stories, or producing broadcasts, she brings her whole self to the work, integrating faith and profession seamlessly.

Her story encourages Christian families to support young people called to careers in media and communications. Too often, we cede these influential fields to those hostile to our values, then wonder why popular culture undermines Christian principles. We need more young believers willing to pursue excellence in journalism, committed to truth-telling that honors both professional standards and biblical integrity.

As summer unfolds, James will continue developing skills that serve both her immediate assignments and her long-term calling. The audio and video projects ahead will challenge her creativity while deepening her ability to communicate truth across multiple platforms. In an age of soundbites and short attention spans, multimedia storytelling reaches audiences who might never read long-form articles.

From international explorations to Oklahoma internships, from campus newspapers to professional development, James’s journey illustrates how God prepares His people for service. Every experience, every challenge, every return to familiar places—all contribute to forming faithful witnesses equipped for the work ahead.

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