05/02/2026
Page 2 of 2
Former Tyrone athlete pursues missions
• By JAY E. JONES For The Daily Herald Apr 29, 2026
Braden Ewing smiles with his mom, Sarah Ewing, during a fundraiser for his upcoming mission trips.
Former Tyrone standout wrestler Braden Ewing continues to make a difference at Liberty University and beyond. Last year, Braden made the decision to transfer from Brown University in Rhode Island where he was a member of the football and wrestling teams to Liberty University in Virginia. At the time, a large part of the motivation for transferring was a sense that God was calling him into ministry. Here we are, one year later, and that sense of call has only deepened.
“Liberty is awesome!” said Ewing. “It’s allowed me to focus on ministry first while continuing to provide top notch competition in the wrestling world, which I love. Liberty has given me a spiritual community that has encouraged and helped to foster that call into ministry.”
Ewing experienced much success on the wrestling mat this year, as did his teammates. The Liberty Flames placed first in the Middle Atlantic Conference tournament. Braden (22-13) was one of five champs for the Flames. Each of them qualified for the National Collegiate Wrestling Association Grand National Championship in Bossier City, LA. And though he fell short of placing, he helped his team place fifth overall in the team standings. Ewing lost two very close matches, including a 2-1 tiebreaker to third place finisher, Alan Rivera of Central Florida. As a matter of fact, Ewing beat three of the top eight wrestlers in his weight class in prior matches this year. Braden had the added challenge of cutting weight “for the first time since eighth grade” (he wrestled at the 197 pound weight class) and enduring an arthroscopic knee surgery for a torn meniscus during the season. Despite these challenges, Ewing was optimistic about his experience and looking forward to next year. “I learned a completely different style of wrestling by moving down to 197. I know this will benefit me next year at whatever weight class I decide to wrestle.”
For now, Ewing is focused on even larger things: two trips in the offseason to share in mission and to build relationships. Braden will be traveling with a non-profit organization, English Language Institute/China (ELIC) to serve on a team, teaching conversational English with area students in Kazakhstan. The dates for this trip are May 31 – June 30, 2026. About the trip, Braden said, “I’m beyond excited to see how God will use and stretch me on this trip!”
The second trip (July 26 – August 5, 2026) will be with one of his assistant coaches at Liberty and some of his current teammates. They will be participants in a wrestling camp in Azerbaijan. His coach and some of his teammates have participated in this camp for a couple of years now. They will be among some of the best wrestlers in the area (Georgia, Russia, and more) learning freestyle wrestling. Ewing and the other participants will stay in a dormitory-style housing facility where they will share quarters and meals together. This will provide much opportunity for building relationships. In an earlier interview, Braden shared this: “I am absolutely thrilled to be able to serve in both of these places. I am expectant of a huge life change both for myself and the people I come in contact with!”
Both trips will cost approximately $7,000 combined. Ewing’s mom, Sarah Ewing, and some of the Tyrone community back home have been leading the charge to raise enough funds to attend both events. Braden became a little emotional as he spoke about his mom and dad and all of those from the Tyrone area who have been supportive.
“My mom is the best! And the support from the Tyrone community has been overwhelming – from gift baskets or donations for fund raisers to texts and calls from others. I’m so appreciative of all of the support,” Ewing said.
If you would like more information about Braden’s trip, reach out to him via his email address: mailto:[email protected] or contact Calvary Church at (814) 686-7007.
