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NEWS OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL

‘One World, One Games’

The World Games 2022 Announces Noah Galloway as Honorary Co-Chairman, Introduces Disability Inclusion Initiative

By Emily Williams-RoBERtshaW

Former U.S. Army Sgt. Noah Galloway, a Birmingham native, will serve as an honorary co-chairman for the The World Games 2022. The appointment was announced during a ceremony at the Lakeshore Foundation on June 3.

As an honorary chairman, Galloway, who lost the majority of his left arm and left leg during an IED attack while serving in Iraq, made a promise to use his voice and his platforms to encourage those who are different.

“For The World Games 2022, we wanted to identify a handful of Alabamians, folks to represent based on what they have achieved in their lives,” said The World Games 2022 CEO Nick Sellers. It’s an effort to celebrate the state as it becomes the stage for an international audience.

Sellers added that Galloway fits the bill not only due to his heroic military service, but because of how he has lived his life since his time serving in the Iraqi War.

“One thing that people may not know about my story is when I was injured, (Lakeshore Foundation) was the first place I came to,” Galloway said.

He noted that it was the foundation’s staff, including President and CEO Jeff Underwood, who attended the ceremony, who motivated him to push himself in recovery.

He has participated in fitness competitions throughout the country and become a motivational speaker. He was featured on the cover of Men’s Health Magazine in 2014, earning the title “The Ultimate Guy.” In addition, he placed third on Season 20 of “Dancing with the Stars” and led his team to victory on Season 1 of Fox’s “American Grit.”

In addition, Galloway established the “No Excuses Charitable Fund” to raise money and awareness for organizations that promote fitness, wellness and healthy habits.

“I promise to be a spokesman for adaptive sports, and I promise to represent this team with the highest form of gratitude and sportsmanship,” Galloway said.

As a child, Galloway said, he never imagined an international sporting event would one day be held in his hometown.

“As a veteran and an athlete, I believe it is increasingly important for the children and young adults to be surrounded with the friendly competition and challenges that not only shape their bodies, but also their minds.”

Sellers said Galloway has represented “the true embodiment of overcoming obstacles.”

Galloway will join four other honorary co-chairs – all native Alabamians who are used to media attention: legendary country music star Randy Owen, former NBA allstar Charles Barkley and Olympic gold medal bobsledder Vonetta Flowers, who was the first black woman to win gold in the Winter Olympics.

“I’m so excited that this man is going to be running the American Flag on July 7, 2022, in the opening ceremonies in front of millions of people on global television at a huge moment for our city and state as the largest international sporting event in

the Southeast since the 1996 Olympics,” Sellers said. He also said it will be the first major international sporting event held before full-capacity crowds in the United States postpandemic.

Journal photo by Jordan Wald

From left, Nick Sellers, The World Games 2022 CEO; former U.S. Army Sgt. Noah Galloway, an honorary cochairman for the The World Games 2022; Krystal Drummond, director of employee and community engagement with Drummond Co. Inc. a sponsor of the disability inclusion initiative of the World Games and Jeff Underwood, Lakeshore Foundation president and CEO. The Birmingham games will be the first major international sporting event for amateur athletes that includes competitions for athletes with and without disabilities.

Disability Inclusion

“The World Games 2022 is dedicated to the implementation of what we are calling ‘a journey to one world, one games, an initiative for disability inclusion and access,’” Sellers said.

The Birmingham games will be the first major international sporting event for amateur athletes that includes competitions for athletes with and without disabilities.

“Wheelchair rugby will be on the official platform here, and if you have not seen these incredible athletes compete, you are in for an incredible treat to witness history when they compete on global television,” Sellers said.

Through a partnership with the

See GAMES, page 9

‘A New Beginning’

IPC’s New Pastor Excited About the Challenge That Awaits

By RuBin E. GRant

The Rev. Kevin Long wasn’t thinking about leaving the Pittsburgh church he had pastored for almost 10 years to head South.

But he had made a commitment to listen to any church that called him about becoming its pastor and to listen to the Holy Spirit.

So when Independent Presbyterian Church in Birmingham called, Long listened.

Following an eight-month courtship, Long agreed to leave Sewickley Presbyterian Church, which is just 20 minutes northwest of Pittsburgh, to become the eighth pastor in the 105year history of IPC.

Long will begin his role as IPC pastor and the head of staff on Aug. 1.

“It was a long process,” Long said during a phone interview from Pennsylvania. “I wasn’t looking to leave where I am. We have a wonderful church here, and I have deep friendships here, and I was very happy here.

“At first, I wasn’t real keen on the idea of coming to Birmingham. It’s such a different part of the country, very different from where we are, and Independent Presbyterian had some recent struggles, so coming in I knew it was going to be a big challenge.”

Plus, Long and his wife, Rebecca, had to consider three children, James, Jessica and Katelyn. Uprooting them was a big part of the decision since James will be a high school senior in the fall, and Jessica and Katelyn will be ninth and eighth graders, respectively.

Long spent considerable time in prayer and sought the wisdom of his family, friends and his mentors in ministry. Then, he traveled to Birmingham to visit IPC, an 1,800-member church that is part of the Presbyterian Church (USA) denomination and is in the Highland Park neighborhood.

“Over a period of months, I got to

From page 8 know the pastor nominating committee better, then I came to see the church and the people,” Long said. “The more time I spent with the people, I knew God was calling our family to become a part of the wonderful family of faith at IPC. We believe that God has great things in store for IPC.”

The IPC Pastor Nominating Committee unanimously approved Long in a vote in early May.

“God has clearly led the Pastor Nominating Committee to Kevin and his family, and him and his family to IPC and Birmingham,” said Teresa T. Pulliam, chairwoman of the committee. “God is very good and has certainly been in charge of this process from the beginning.

“We have spent much time with Kevin and Rebecca in Pittsburgh and in Birmingham in prayer and fellowship, and we have shared many meals, car rides and both light-hearted and serious conversations. They are a team in ministry and in marriage. We are thrilled and so joyful that Kevin and his family accepted our call, and we are excited to welcome the Long family to our church and to Birmingham. We have no doubt our congregation will embrace them both as well as their wonderful children.”

The Rev. Steve Goyer will continue serving as interim pastor at IPC through the end of July.

Long grew up as the son of a Presbyterian minister. He was raised in Southern California and in Murrysville, Pennsylvania, just east of Pittsburgh.

He graduated from Wake Forest University, double majoring in biology and psychology. After pursuing a master’s degree in psychology at Old Dominion University, Kevin moved to New York City, where he worked for a number of years as a private tutor.

While attending the Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church, Long met Rebecca, who had moved to the city to train with the Joffrey Ballet. He received his M.Div. from Pittsburgh Theological Seminary. After graduating, he served as an associate pastor at Orchard Park Presbyterian Church in Indianapolis before becoming the pastor of the Sewickley Presbyterian Church in September of 2011.

Long will move to Birmingham in August and start settling in. He will begin preaching on the Sunday after Labor Day, Sept. 12. His children will attend school in the Mountain Brook system.

“It’s a new start and a new beginning,” Long said. “I’m leaving behind people who over time have become family. I feel a deep commitment and connection to them. It’s hard to leave, but we’re excited about coming to Birmingham and seeing what God has in store for us in Birmingham.”

From page 8 Lakeshore Foundation and the presenting sponsor, Drummond Company, organization officials have sought to create a diverse steering committee to create an inclusive and accessible athlete experience on and off the field. It also is enhancing accessibility for fans from the time they arrive in Birmingham until they leave.

Originally scheduled to take place this year, the 11th annual event was delayed due to the pandemic and will be hosted July 7-17, 2022.

Composed of about 30 official sports, the event will include participation of more than 3,600 athletes representing more than 100 countries. Sports on the roster are supported by the International Olympic Committee.

Sellers noted that athletes in six of the competitions that will take place next summer are now preparing to compete in the upcoming Tokyo Olympics.

Among well-known and well-loved sports are softball, karate, sport climbing, handball and gymnastics.

The games also will include sports Sellers and fellow officials believe will make it to the Olympic platform in the future, including lacrosse, parkour, water skiing and wakeboarding and dancesport.

Events will take place in more than 25 venues throughout the Greater Birmingham area, including Over the Mountain venues at John Carroll Catholic High School, the Hoover Metropolitan Stadium and Oak Mountain State Park.

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