‘It was more than just a school,’ says 2026 graduate
Quintel Johnson, a 2026 Erskine Col- lege graduate from Myrtle Beach, was introduced to church by his parents at a young age. “To be honest, my brother and I they had food after, so we would go,” he says, laughing. His parents and grandparents prayed diligently for him and his brother, but - ally pay attention.”
was really just doing anything I wanted, and life went downhill so fast,” he recalls. “I lived the worst two years of my life, those junior and senior years of high school.” Quintel headed to Erskine to pursue his education and continue playing basketball. There he had a meaningful moment early in his freshman year. The Rev. Joshua Chiles ’17, ’23 (Sem)
and mercy.
“I was in the top of Lesesne in the second row of seating, and I started breaking down and
crying. A song was talking about falling to your knees, and I remember being on my knees and crying,” Quintel says. He prayed, “Lord, I want to release my life to you.” PJC asked the audience to close their eyes and raise their hands if they felt called to come up to the stage. Quintel raised his hand and heard PJC say, “I see you.” that day on, he kept in steady contact with PJC and read his Bible regularly—not because his parents or grandparents made him, but because he wanted to. During his freshman year, his faith still wavered, but as he learned more in the classroom,
it grew stronger. As he tried to envision what God wanted him to do, one word kept recurring: “Different,
different, different,” Quintel remembers. apart in Christ.
Quintel began ministering on campus and sharing his faith on social media. “That was the
greatest thing ever for me—seeing that the things God put me through were for a reason,” he says.
In his sophomore year, he became an RA and built a small community centered on faith.He led Bible studies and hosted testimony nights, among other activities. Quintel also saw ministry opportunities among teammates who recognized his growing faith. They often asked him to pray for or with them.
Mike Morrison, then an Erskine assistant coach, was intentional in his faith, so Quintel
approached him: “Hey Coach, I need to talk about some life stuff.”
to God. The coach encouraged Quintel to attend the Bible study he was hosting. “I remember walking in, and he put me on the spot—something I am so thankful for now. He taught me Quintel says. Quintel modeled the same approach in his own ministry, worked with Director of Campus Ministries Jamie Williams, and joined the Student Ministry Leadership Team (SMLT) this past academic year.
Quintel, nicknamed “Q,” began on the developmental basketball team, where he prayed quietly before games. As he moved up toward varsity, Peeler began asking him to pray after practices and workouts and before road meals. beloved by everyone he encounters and has a huge heart,” Peeler says. “We are fortunate to have Q at Erskine!”
Quintel knows he was blessed to come to Erskine. “Erskine really did it for me—this com-
munity, the people, and seeing what Erskine truly was,” he says. “It was more than a school. It was more than a place to play sports. It was a community built on love and built on Christ.”
September/October 2026
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Erskine College
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