‘Singing cyclist’ spreads light on campus through daily bike rides
All photos by Shay MacLean.
Often seen riding his bicycle after chapel while belting out the lyrics to worship songs, Justin Gadson, a junior theatre and youth ministry double major, is best known for his care-free spirit on campus.
“I don’t know what his stereotype is. I know he’s known as the guy that rides the bike, and I love to hear him shouting and singing,” said Dr. Justin Walker, assistant professor of Christian ministries and Old Testament. “But behind that personable and loud persona, there is a very sensitive and thoughtful follower and brother in Jesus Christ.”
In fall 2019, Walker taught Gadson in his early morning Old Testament class but has since assumed the role of a mentor.
“Justin was always outspoken and energetic [in my class] and found the ideas enthralling and passionate and would often come to my office and ask me about whatever aspects of the Old Testament we had been studying,” said Walker. “Justin feels … very passionately, which I find so wonderfully endearing and refreshing, given that so many people hide where they are in general, and Justin doesn’t.”
For Gadson, the intention behind his vocalized worship means far more to him than how he is perceived.
“Whenever I sing, and people hear me on campus, I don’t care how people hear me. I know it helps people, but it’s never for them, for attention or for show,” said Gadson. “It all comes from genuineness, from my heart — because [ultimately] it’s for God. It’s all for him.”
Gadson said motivations behind his singing also pull from a sermon preached by Director of Racial and Ethnic Relations Gloria Scott- Richmond. During the sermon, Scott-Richmond focused on Paul and Silas’s story in prison and emphasized that “the prisons are always listening.”
Gadson has applied this statement to his thinking as he rides his bike through campus daily.
“When I heard that statement, I [realized] there’s a lot of people going through hard things, who are experiencing struggles and pain,” said Gadson. “And if there’s a way I can bring kindness, joy, grace or love or whatever through my singing and just being me, I want to be that for people.”
Gadson’s passion for people has been noticed both in and outside of the classroom.
“Justin was one of the first students to embrace me as a professor and was one of the initial genuine welcomes that I felt in a personal way,” said Dr. Walker. “And I find that meaningful and memorable.”
Walker notes the intentionality of mentorship is reciprocated between the two.
“In all our conversations, he asks good questions, and they have provided me a platform to articulate what I left unarticulated prior to our meetings,” said Walker. “I just really enjoy talking to him. I do. There’s just something about listening to him talk and watching his whole body articulate what he is feeling. I just love it! He’s a genuine follower of Jesus. I think there’s [no] higher compliment that can be paid than that.”
Even with the unexpected shift to virtual classes, Gadson has maintained his desire to keep campus lively and has since continued his bike rides.
“When everyone was off-campus last semester during quarantine, and there was no one there, I was still singing,” said Gadson. “How I stay happy is by realizing that my focus is not upon myself. It’s upon God and other people.”
Gadson’s friends describe him as someone who strives to consistently uplift others. Junior pastoral ministries major Noah Burgdorf has seen this in his friendship with Gadson since they met during their freshman year in Medlin.
“If you’re lucky enough to call Justin a friend, he will always be in your corner, backing you,” said Burgdrof. “[He] is always asking about the little things going on in your life. If you mention a prayer request once, he’ll bring it up weeks later to check in on you.”
Gadson’s desire to help others is rooted in something far beyond just himself.
“The joy comes from ‘I’m getting better through this. I’m helping someone else through this. I’m learning about Christ through this. There’s a purpose and reason for all this,’” said Gadson.
As Gadson continues to share a mission of inclusion through his carefree singing and bike rides across campus, Walker recounts Gadson’s persona and intentions are true to his character.
“Honestly when Justin gets off the bike and takes the headphones off … he’s the same person,” said Burgdorf. “ It’s not some façade for attention. He just sees everything he does as a form of worship. He wants to be able to express Jesus through every little interaction he has in the most genuine way possible.”
