Alumni Spotlight

Wu, Jiarui (Rachel)

Hometown: Chengdu, China

Class of 2017

 

After Hickory Grove, Rachel studied chemistry at Wingate University. Though she initially wrestled with the fear of missing out while many of her friends went to UNC Charlotte, she later saw God’s hand in her decision. Wingate provided her with a strong chemistry department, and to her surprise, most of her professors were Christians. They often hosted end-of-semester cookouts and modeled how faith and science could work hand in hand.

“I never thought science and Christianity were in conflict,” Rachel explained. “But studying chemistry actually reaffirmed my faith. The more I learned, the more I realized there’s no way all of this works without God as the designer.”

After graduation, Rachel spent a year working in Charlotte, serving in children’s ministry at Mercy Church and gaining hands-on experience in an analytical chemistry lab. Eventually, she sensed God leading her out of her comfort zone and into something new. That next step was Raleigh, where she began her master’s in chemistry at NC State as she also started working full-time in the Wilson College of Textiles. Today, she manages an analytical chemistry lab at NC State while also pursuing her PhD.

Even the logistics of staying in the U.S. became a story of God’s provision. Visa uncertainty created stress, but doors opened for her to work and study in ways that allowed her to remain. “Every step, whether school, jobs, or even my visa, I can see how God provided opportunities I did not have to force open,” Rachel said.

Seeing God at Work

Looking back, Rachel describes her journey as one marked by God’s presence in both big and small ways. From the answered prayer for friendship as a teenager, to her professors modeling faith during college, to the open doors in her career, she sees God’s hand consistently guiding her forward.

And through it all, community has been central. “Having Christian friends who point you back to the gospel is so important,” she reflected. “They remind you of how God has worked in your life in the past, especially in moments when it is hard to see what He is doing right now.”

Advice for Future Graduates

When asked what she would share with current seniors, Rachel encouraged current students to treasure the time they have at Hickory Grove. She explained that the friendships formed in these years can become a lasting source of support long after graduation. Rachel continually expressed gratitude for the friends who consistently pointed her back to the gospel. Her final exhortation for soon-to-be graduates is this: “Find community. If you go somewhere new for college, find a good church and get plugged in. Build relationships that encourage you to keep walking with the Lord.”

Rachel’s journey from the Hickory Grove international program to leading in her field of chemistry is remarkable. Even more inspiring is her testimony of how God used friendships, teachers, and new opportunities to draw her closer to Him.

Her story is a reminder to every student and alum that no matter where life takes you, God is faithful to provide.