Faith, courage, and conviction: Riley Gaines inspires full house at MVNU’s Tragedy into Triumph event

A packed audience of students, faculty, and members of the local community gathered Tuesday evening in the R.R. Hodges Chapel and Fine Arts Center at Mount Vernon Nazarene University for the second night of the Tragedy into Triumph simulcast event. The featured speaker was former collegiate swimmer and activist Riley Gaines, whose journey of athletic achievement and public advocacy formed the centerpiece of the evening.

Doors opened at 6 p.m., and by 7 p.m. the venue was filled with eager attendees. Before Gaines took the stage, a praise team ushered in the evening with lively worship music that encouraged many to raise their hands to praise our glorious God. After an extended session of uplifting songs, Gaines took the stage and shared her story of perseverance, conviction, and faith.

Gaines recounted her days at the University of Kentucky, where she joined the swim team and in 2019 earned a place on the All-SEC Freshman Team, and later in both 2019 and 2020 made the All-SEC Second Team. In 2021, she competed in the NCAA Women’s Swimming & Diving Championships, placing seventh in the 200-yard freestyle and winning a silver medal in the 4×200-yard freestyle relay, which led to her being named to the All-SEC First Team that year. In 2022, she received the SEC Women’s Swimming & Diving Scholar-Athlete of the Year award.

Gaines then addressed a pivotal moment in 2022: During the NCAA championship in March, she tied for fifth place in the 200-yard freestyle with swimmer Lia Thomas. While Thomas went on to win the 500-yard freestyle and became the first openly trans woman champion in the NCAA women’s division, Gaines received a sixth-place trophy of the same size while awaiting another fifth-place trophy by mail. Gaines used that experience as a catalyst for her public activism.

With these credentials in hand, Gaines described her decision to become a “voice of truth” and not remain silent. Quoting from scripture, she shared: “For if you remain completely silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish.” (Esther 4:14 NKJV). In her talk, she emphasized that one should “always speak truth and be the voice of truth. Do not be silent and stand up for what is right. Stand up against the agenda. Love people enough to tell the truth – just like Jesus did.” She added, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13). She also underscored the idea: “Everyone has a circle of influence … This world does not need people who play it safe. So tonight, Riley challenged us to be bold and receive Jesus Christ in our hearts.”

Gaines’ activism extended beyond the pool: She has traveled the country speaking on women’s sports, testified before legislative bodies, and aligns herself with student groups such as the campus chapter of Turning Point USA at Mount Vernon Nazarene University. She recounted a disturbing incident during an event at the University of San Francisco where, she said, approximately 200 men wearing women’s clothing ambushed her, holding her for five hours and demanding ransom, while campus police allegedly were not permitted to intervene without risking their jobs. She said she endured vulgar verbal abuse, being punched, kicked, and humiliated. Gaines explained that the story underscored the stakes of speaking the truth, noting that in John 15:18-25, Jesus tells his followers they will be hated because they are not of the world and have been chosen out of it, just as the world hated him first. She also referenced Matthew 24:9, which warns that followers of Christ will face persecution, betrayal, and hatred for his name, emphasizing that standing for truth often comes with personal cost.

The following day at the University of San Francisco, she said, the Dean of Students sent a campus-wide email stating, “We are so proud of our students, and we understand that by having Riley Gaines on our campus was difficult to handle.” According to Gaines, that email did not condemn the violence she endured, but instead gave students the day off school — and implicitly protected the individuals who ambushed her.

Following the talk, the praise team returned post-speech with spirited worship, lifting the atmosphere as attendees stood and raised their hands in unity and praise. Many commented afterward that the event was “very uplifting” and left participants feeling energized in their faith and conviction.

As the evening concluded, Gaines encouraged the entire audience of students and community members to claim their circle of influence, speak the truth boldly, and embrace faith. The Tragedy into Triumph event at the R.R. Hodges Chapel and Fine Arts Center was a night filled with worship, conviction, and an inspiring call to courage and faith.