Football first opened the door to Tabor College for Moises Haynes (SR, Valencia, Calif.).
Once he turned the handle and stepped through, God’s plans extended far past the playing field.
It’s where he saw that football was not an identity, but a platform God would use. Experiencing a brief stretch of homelessness as a family also challenged Haynes in where his identity stood.
Having spent time at institutions at all levels, he felt peace that God wanted his college years to culminate in Hillsboro, Kan.
“I was all about football previously, and it became my ‘everything,’” Haynes said. “I grew up in a religious home, but it wasn’t until arriving last fall (August 2023) that God taught me through my adversity to put him at the center of everything. Whether it’s sports, grades, or relationships, He deserves everything and I’m so blessed to have learned that here.”
A renewed focus has reinvigorated Haynes as he prepares to graduate in May. He is diving deeper into his relationship with the Lord, enjoying his final games as a Bluejay, and preparing for chiropractic school after finishing in December 2024.
Haynes spent his final semester at Tabor as a resident assistant (RA), affirming what God wanted to do through him while he was on campus.
During RA training, Haynes felt prompted to surrender control and understand identity far exceeds one sport, class, or hobby.
“I remember I went to church and it’s where I had my ‘Ah-ha’ moment,” Haynes said. “The Holy Spirit was moving through me and I realized even more that I came here to know the Lord on a much deeper level.”
Mentoring and discipleship from current and former classmates have been impactful, noting conversations with Carson Duba (g’24) and teammate Rodell Jones (SR, Galveston, Texas).
“Rodell is a leader on the team, extremely intelligent, and puts God firmly in the center of his life,” Haynes said. “We have such a tight relationship and keep each other accountable.”
A biology major, Haynes has thrived in the classroom. Immersed in his senior research studying and finding unknown bacteria, he credits his professors for pushing him.
“Dr. (Ryan) Calvert is tough in the classroom and won’t make it easy on you, but he’s only pushing me so that I can be my best now and in the future,” Haynes said. “He’s a great professor and I appreciate that he keeps his office door open and gets to know me outside of class too.”
While undecided on which chiropractic school he’ll attend, he aspires to be in orthopedic chiropractic medicine and work alongside athletes in their training and recovery.
Meeting doctors on his campus visits who worked alongside Olympic athletes only pushed Haynes further to see where the Lord will take him in the future.
He may be one of Tabor’s best in catches (29) and touchdowns (5), but Haynes isn’t in the business of celebrating individual accomplishments.
“I have plenty of love for the game, but I play for God, my teammates, coaches, and my family,” Haynes said.
It resonated deeper when former teammate Joe Bolden (g’24) sent a text this fall, thanking Haynes for coming to Tabor. He asked why and got a quick, prompt response in return.
“You made me find love for the game again.”
“You can’t replace the blood, sweat, and tears with your teammates,” Haynes said. “I’m so thankful God brought me to Tabor and gave me these lifelong friendships.”