Garrett Eller
Name: Garrett Eller
Hometown: Sherwood, Arkansas
Sport: Baseball
Position: First Base
Favorite Bible Verse: Romans 8: 18 “I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.” (NIV)
Garrett Eller is one of the few, not one of the many. A selfless individual, Eller is more concerned with helping others that himself. He has a deep love for God and pours it into people like the counselor he plans to be in the future.
Eller grew up in Sherwood, Arkansas where he attended Sylvan Hills High School. Because Sylvan Hills is known as a baseball powerhouse, which during the 2009 season finished ranked second in the state of Arkansas, Eller saw limited playing time until his senior year in which he didn’t disappoint.
Eller’s senior year he had a batting average of an impressive .450 with one home run. He was then recruited by Henderson State to come walk on. Since he’s arrived at Henderson State he’s been behind two upper classmen but playing time in the next couple of years looks highly likely Eller said.
“I’m having fun right now” Eller stated in regards to the issue of playing time. Eller has developed a reputation around the team as a man of faith and a go-to-guy when teammates need someone to talk to about their problems.
Eller second from the right, along with some HSU teammates
Eller has a heart for others just as he has a heart for Christ. He is a psychology major and plans to work in counseling after college.
Eller grew up in a Christian home and has worked with kids as a Sunday school teacher at his church home in Little Rock. Eller sees himself possibly working for his church, First Assembly of God in the future as a counselor involved in ministry.
“I love my church. I like helping people and talking to them about their problems,” Eller said in regards to a possible future working for his church.
Eller demonstrated his love for God as well as people in high school by picking up groups of people and taking them t church in his mom’s van. “I used to struggle with forcing faith on my friends,” Eller said. “But one saying an older friend told me helped change that.”
The friend told Eller, “people don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.”
Eller said that it was after this point in his life that he realized that it is not he bringing people to Christ; its Christ bringing people to Christ and Eller is just lending a hand.
Eller claims his faith in Christ helps him tremendously in his everyday life, specifically in athletics. “Being a walk-on, Jesus helps me by encouraging me and reminding me why I am here and what is important.” Although Eller loves baseball it’s obvious that what’s most important to him are his faith as a Christian and his love for others.
Eller second from the right with his high school friends
What’s Garret Eller’s advice to the upcoming Christian-student-athlete striving to live for God?
“Pray for humility, stay in the word, surround yourself with other Christians because accountability is a huge thing. Remember where your talent came from and use your sport as a platform to glorify God. And remember that you are on that platform as an athlete so watch your reputation on and off the field.”