From Adversity to Opportunity: Why Calvin University was the right choice for Ryan Reynolds
At the age of five Ryan Reynolds lost his birth family and entered into the foster care system in Knoxville, Tennessee.
Over the course of the next dozen or so years, he says “I lost literally everything: family, belongings, and confidence.”
An unstable home environment full of verbal, mental, and physical abuse, led to Reynolds running away, attempting suicide twice, and spending time in jail and in a mental health facility.
He was looking for a way out and saw a career in baseball as his only viable option. “So, I put my head down and pursued baseball,” said Reynolds.
Making a life-changing decision
But, in July of 2022, “I was forced to go on a mission trip to Nicaragua,” recalls Reynolds.
While he didn’t go willingly, the trip ended up being life changing “I gave my life to Jesus,” said Reynolds.
While he returned to the United States with a newfound hope, the forces opposing him didn’t lighten up. But though the hardships kept coming, he found a path to play baseball at a small private college in the heart of Kentucky.
Facing more adversity
Unfortunately that path closed quickly. Just a few months in, Reynolds tore his ACL.
As he considered other paths forward, he discovered Ohio Christian University and started to have conversations with coaches and players there. With no place to call home and no money to his name, one conversation in particular with the captain of the team piqued his interest.
“He told me about Camp Geneva, about its mission, and that it gives you free housing,” said Reynolds. “So, I reached out and got an interview and as soon as I was accepted, I moved to Michigan.”
Ryan Reynolds (front row second from left) served on the Camp Geneva summer staff in 2025.
Heading in the right direction
Little did Reynolds know that that move would open yet another door. When donors to Camp Geneva and Calvin University heard about Reynolds’ story, they worked together to find a way to pay for his first year at Calvin.
“I came to Michigan with nothing to my name,” said Reynolds. “I was fully on my own. I had no idea how to navigate life.”
Adjusting to the rigors of college took some time and getting mononucleosis halfway through the semester added another challenge, but Reynolds discovered something mostly foreign to him his entire life—a community committed to supporting him.
Discovering a sense of belonging
One of those supporters, English professor Jennifer Holberg, took it upon herself to become more of an informal advisor.
“She’s played a huge role in my overall success as a student as she was willing to meet me where I was and work with me through the hurdles that came along,” said Reynolds. “She poured into me, helped me set up the schedule I have now, and helped me find confidence in myself.”
Reynolds interacts with Owen Hayes, a friend and classmate in Professor Holberg's class.
Reynolds has also discovered true friendships, especially on the baseball team.
“The first day we had a meeting as a full team and Coach Schipper asked me to share my testimony. Since then, we’ve been practicing every day and it’s a family environment,” said Reynolds.
“Ryan came into our program carrying a very difficult past that could have pushed him away from trusting others, yet he chose to show up with humility, grit, and a willingness to grow. I'm grateful he's part of our team because of the authenticity he brings every day,” said Joel Schipper, head coach of the Calvin men's baseball team. “It's been meaningful to see our guys rally around him and form a genuine community of support, accountability, and belonging.”
Living into his calling
While Reynolds is starting to understand what a healthy family feels like, he also understands the importance of sharing his story.
“That’s what God’s calling me to as I have a very unique story,” said Reynolds. “It’s not my story. I’m a vessel for God. He brought me through so much. Everyone is caught up in the pressures of life, but our God is so much bigger than the problems we face.”
Reynolds says he’s committed to pursuing full-time ministry and baseball now has its proper place.
Reynolds is on Calvin's baseball team.
“Baseball was my little “g” god. Now, it’s my platform,” said Reynolds.
And he is grateful for the roles the communities of Camp Geneva and Calvin have played in his story.
“Being at Camp Geneva changed my life, and Calvin is building on it,” said Reynolds. “God opened the doors of Calvin for me in a very powerful way. I’ve found the true meaning of family through my teammates and coaches and even my professors and classmates. I’ve found my family and my sense of belonging here.”
