Student Spotlight – Macy McClain: Walking By Faith

Macy McClain, a sophomore worship major, faces all of the challenges college students go through daily. She has to balance a busy schedule, get to class on time, keep up with her workload and make time for friends. The only difference is that McClain has the added obstacle of being blind.

“I want to be the perfect blind person. I don’t want to need help,” McClain said. “I’m very stubborn, and I’m still learning the balance between accepting help from others and being independent.”

One Bible verse McClain said she has continually relied on is Isaiah 40:31, “But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength. They shall mount up with wings like eagles. They shall run and not be weary. They shall walk and not faint.”

McClain said learning to surrender control to God has been a reoccurring theme in her life.

Growing up

McClain grew up in Bellefontaine, Ohio, with three sisters, one of which is her twin. She said she is close with her family and has a special bond with her dad.

“My parents have helped me to become the person I am today,” McClain said.

McClain said music has been an integral part of her life for as long as she can remember. She plays the piano and the flute, and she is learning to play the guitar. McClain’s main instrument, however, is her voice. She said she grew up singing in church, and she has always loved performing.

But it wasn’t until about three years ago during a phone call to her father that she considered worship as a career.

McClain said she and her dad were talking about what career she wanted to pursue after graduating from the Louisiana Center for the Blind. The center is a premier training program sponsored by the National Federation of the Blind, which McClain has been involved in since she was 2.

Before Cedarville, McClain studied music education at Wright State University, but she left after a semester. McClain then attended the Louisiana Center for the Blind for a year to adjust to living independently. After graduating from the center, McClain enrolled at Cedarville as a worship major.

“I have these talents that God has given me and I don’t want to misuse them or let them go to waste,” she said. “I want to give everything I have for the glory of God.”

Cedarville

At Cedarville, McClain is involved in Jubilate, a student choral ministry group. She said she hopes to soon join HeartSong and a chapel band as well.

Roger O’Neel, associate professor of worship and director of Jubilate, said McClain’s determination is a true testimony of her faith.

“She is a literal example of what it means to walk by faith,” O’Neel said. “She feels that God has called her to this place, and she has overcome so many obstacles to follow God’s calling. Her sheer tenacity in the face of conflict is inspiring.”

O’Neel said McClain has easily kept up with the worship program despite it being a highly visual field.

“She is patient and understanding as we work out the kinks of this new experience,” he said. “She is very determined.”

Learning to navigate a new place is always a challenge, McClain said. When arriving at Cedarville, she said she had to go around campus in advance and memorize how to get from one place to the next. She said one of her biggest obstacles has been the snow. When the sidewalks are covered with snow, it is incredibly difficult to tell the difference between the concrete and grass.

Looking to the future

As for her time at Cedarville, McClain said she wants to get more involved with SGA and be the SGA worship leader.

McClain said her dream job is to work as a worship leader in a church, perhaps even traveling and writing songs. She said some of her role models include female worship leaders Kari Jobe, Francesca Battistelli and Meredith Andrews.

Although she doesn’t know what the future holds, she said, she wants to follow God’s will for her life.

Hannah Dunlap is freshman journalism major and arts & entertainment writer for Cedars. She has an affinity for photography, exploring and Netflix marathons.