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Catching Up with Gianna Bartalo



Can you share about how you came to faith and your athletic background?

I was lucky enough to be led to Jesus at a very young age by my family. I gave my life to Jesus around the age of 5/6 and grew up going to church with my family. My parents ran Bible Studies for my older siblings. It was a special experience for me to see my older siblings grow in their faith. I cannot emphasize fully how much my siblings have encouraged me to continue in my own faith. They inspire me every day! I was baptized last summer in a little lake in Colorado surrounded by my family! It was incredible!

I started playing volleyball around the same age I was saved. My mom played volleyball at CSU and taught us how to play in our backyard. Watching my three older sisters play only grew my love for the sport. I was always in the gym either watching my mom coach or my sisters play, or practicing myself. I was able to play my first two years at the University of Denver with my older sister Lydia!


What does being a leader mean to you?

Being a leader means meeting people where they are and loving them fully, while also being upfront and honest with them. I have yet to figure out that balance. I think it means holding oneself to a different standard than others and doing things that others will not. I truly believe that being a leader is investing in people, making them feel seen & loved by myself and Jesus, while pushing them to be the best person they can be, on and off the court.


What does serving others look like to you?

I think that serving others is taking care of others and their needs, especially the things that no one else will. Student athletes rarely ask for help, and I think it’s important, especially in an FCA environment, to have an awareness of when to step in, serve others, and lighten their load. I think serving others means being there to do life with them and going through the uncomfortable situations with them.


What did your faith look like before coming to DU and what does it look like now?

My faith before coming to DU was me replicating what I saw around me, instead of actually having a relationship with Jesus. Now, I have chosen to follow Jesus and actually form a relationship with Him. I am working on being honest with those around me on the things I am falling short on, instead of creating a façade of having no faults. I am learning to trust Jesus and to walk with him daily, surrendering the control I try to have over my life. I am so far from perfect, but I am thankful that I am closer to Jesus now than I was before I came to DU.


How has being a part of FCA and leading it impacted your daily walk as an athlete?

Being a part of FCA has blessed me more than I could imagine. It is great to have a place to be exposed to the Word and to discuss it with other athletes. I think the biggest impact on my life is the community I have because of FCA. The friends I have made in FCA are an encouragement to me every day. Having this community has kept me close to God during some difficult moments where I might have fallen away from him in the past. They understand how it feels to be a Christian at DU and the daily grind of being athlete. I cannot express how thankful I am for these new friendships in my life.


What have been your biggest take-aways from being a student leader?

I have learned so much the past year! We are so lucky to have a community where we can love and support each other through the difficult seasons and celebrate with each other when things are good. I have learned that there is no shame in being vulnerable and outspoken about my faith. There is no harm in sharing the gospel. This is something we frequently discuss at FCA in our small groups. It is so daunting to share Jesus and to open up that side of us to non-believers, but it really is a privilege to talk about our Savior with others!

I have learned the importance of grace to myself and others. We are all on this journey together, and Jesus loves every single one of us. I’m really thankful for the environment that we have at FCA; there is no judgement and people really do embrace each other.

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