Article by Danielle Wheelan

Clay Engel, sophomore marketing major and third-baseman for Drury Baseball, almost didn’t live to tell his tale. But now he’s back at the university, sharing his love of God through a leadership role in Drury’s Matthew 25 Project.

Clay Englen, Drury Baseball third-baseman. Photo submitted by Engel.

This summer, Engel was involved in a near-fatal hiking trip in the Colorado mountains. He had moved there to play summer baseball, but found himself loving the area for its beautiful hills and scenery. On a hiking expedition, the week after his arrival, Engel lost his footing and fell approximately10-feet from a cliff.

“Before I fell, I was overcome with an immense fear. I’ve never felt a fear so tangible before,” said Engel. “I knew I didn’t have a foothold. I was paralyzed with fear, probably for a couple hours and the next thing I knew I was on the ground.”

He managed to walk down the mountain to the home of a retired medic, who was able to call an ambulance. Later, he found out he suffered from internal bleeding, a fractured skull, broken neck and a gash so deep on his leg that you could see his muscles.

Clay Englen after his near-fatal experience. Photo submitted by Engel.

He thanks God every day for allowing him to live.

“I know it was the power of my lord and savior that gave me the peace and guidance to walk out of there alive,” said Engel.

Since being back at Drury, Engel has focused his attention to the Matthew 25 Project.

“Living a life with Jesus and encountering the Holy Spirit has been a part of my life for three years, but I’d say my accident over the summer began a more intimate relationship with God, explained Engel.

The Matthew 25 Project is a faith-based service program chaired by Wendy Cloyd. The project combines life talks, service projects and bible studies for an encompassing group of events.

“This Matthew 25 Project is one of the most exciting things that has emerged over the past year,” said Dr. Peter Browning, professor of philosophy and religion chaplain.

Photo via Matthew 25 Project.

Specifically, the project’s vision comes from Matthew 25, verses 35 and 36: “For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat; I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink; I was a stranger and you invited me in; I needed clothes and you clothed me; I was sick and you looked after me; I was in prison and you came to visit me.”

The university challenged the new organization to raise $50,000 for the next three years of funding. So far, they have raised $38,000.

Last week, Engel gave a talk to the group entitled “Saved by God.” This Saturday at 2:30 p.m., they will be conducting a service project at the Fairbanks.

“It’s really great to be involved in such a service-based organization,” said Engel. “It’s what God attended us to do.”