By Elinor Keck, student news writer, Office of University Communications
CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. – A football offensive lineman looks out of place seated at a plastic, preschool table.
Shajuana Ditto invited Ethan Gossage, senior football player from Knoxville, Tenn., up on stage during a recent chapel at Campbellsville University to demonstrate what it looks like when believers try to “fit in” with the world.
Ditto, a two-time graduate of Campbellsville University, kicked off her message by saying, “Wherever you are in life, we have an opportunity. I tell my students this all the time to pull your seat up to God’s table every single day.”
Ditto shaped her message around Luke 14:16, which says, “Jesus replied: ‘A certain man was preparing a great banquet and invited many guests.’” This verse is part of The Parable of the Great Banquet in which a man invites guests to a banquet, but they all make excuses as to why they can’t come.
“We have the opportunity every day that we wake up, every day that we go to class, every day that we go to our office, every day that we go to the cafeteria, we have an opportunity to give someone the invitation to meet this God,” Ditto said.
“In Luke, we find there that a certain man gave a great supper and invited many. I have a command to invite many, and today we have two options: you’re either going to respond to the invitation, or you’re going to make an excuse.”
Ditto invited Gossage onto the stage to sit at a miniature plastic table that had been sitting there throughout her message. Immediately, it was apparent that Gossage did not fit.
“This table represents sometimes people pretend to be something that they are not,” Ditto said. “Do not sit at tables where you no longer fit.”
Ditto then directed Gossage to stand at a tall, round table further down the stage. Ditto explained the tall table represented a “social table.” Everyday people get to decide whom they will interact with and what input they’re going to receive.
Ditto and Gossage moved one place further down the stage and finally came to a large, traditional table.
As Gossage took a seat, Ditto said, “Ethan represents all of us at the greatest table.”
At the “greatest table,” Ditto explained that God invites everyone to pull up a chair and does not ask for perfection.
A 2005 graduate of Meade County High School, Ditto earned her Bachelor of Science in Sports Ministry with a minor in athletic coaching from Campbellsville University in 2009. She also earned a Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership from Campbellsville University in 2013.
Each March during Women’s History Month, Campbellsville University honors a recipient who continues Donna Wise’s legacy in women’s sports.
Before Ditto’s message, the Donna H. Wise Legacy Award was presented to Ginger High-Colvin, head coach of the Campbellsville Lady Tigers basketball team. The award was established in March 2022 to honor the legacy and accomplishments of Hall of Fame basketball coach Donna Wise, who served as chair of the Department of Human Performance from June 2007 to May 2022. Wise was head coach of the Lady Tigers basketball team from 1975 to 2007.
The worship band “Crown of Life” bookended the service.
Campbellsville University is a widely acclaimed Kentucky-based Christian university that offers over 100 programs of study including doctoral, master, bachelor, associate and certificate programs. The website for complete information is www.campbellsville.edu.