Side by Side: Ari and Julie Tompkins
There’s something special about the bond between twins — but Ari and Julie Tompkins take it to a whole new level. This week, the small-town sisters from Mogadore, Ohio, began their 1000 Days™ at Cedarville University, walking into college hand-in-hand — just like they’ve done with most things in life.
Faith-filled and full of heart, Ari and Julie are joining the track and cross-country teams, ready to give it all they’ve got. But they’re not just here to run races. They’re here to grow, serve, and walk closer with Jesus every step of the way.
On a recent episode of the Cedarville Stories podcast, Julie described Ari as “quiet, aggressive, and humble,” while Ari grinned and said Julie was “talkative, energetic, and loud.” The sisters are two halves of a whole, different in their own ways but always cheering each other on.
Their journey hasn’t been easy. They’ve stood on podiums and wiped away tears after photo-finish losses and struggled with personal family issues. But through every high and low, they’ve clung to prayer and each other. “Our sport doesn’t define us,” Ari shared. “God still loves us whether we win or lose.”
Raised in a home where faith was lived out daily — especially after their father quit drinking and began reading the Bible with them — Ari and Julie learned early what it means to grow through grace. “It changed everything,” Julie said. “We finally understood what it meant to follow Jesus for ourselves.”
That’s why Cedarville stood out. It was a place where they could not only compete at a high level but grow in a community that shares their love for Christ. “We didn’t want to just bring others to faith — we wanted to be surrounded by people already walking it too,” they said.
Julie dreams of becoming a pro sports physical therapist. Ari’s heart is set on becoming a firefighter and EMT. Their paths may someday lead them in different directions, but for now, they’re running this race side by side — spiritually grounded, joyfully competitive, and ready for whatever the Lord has next.
https://share.transistor.fm/s/13d7ae3d
https://youtu.be/NTYeW_B6mFY
What is Cedarville Stories?
Cedarville Stories podcast shares the stories of individuals who have been impacted from their experiences at Cedarville University, all for God's glory. Each week you’ll hear unique stories of how Cedarville’s mission of transforming lives through excellent education and intentional discipleship in submission to biblical authority is being lived out in the lives of faculty, staff, students, alumni, and friends of the University.
Listen in each Wednesday and be blessed by some of the amazing ways God is working in and through the lives of the Cedarville family.