Marley Bufkin is no stranger to being in charge. She is the president of her senior class at Porter’s Chapel Academy, president of the honor society, the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Key Club and Mu Alpha Theta. She was selected as STAR student at PCA. She plays five sports, including cheer, and said softball is probably her favorite.

Her dad, Mickey Bufkin, said, “Her K-5 teacher was also her softball coach. She told me, ‘She’s a Bufkin. She rules the class, and she’ll rule the field!’ She became a leader in her kindergarten class and always has been.”

“Since she was five, she’s been bossy,” her mother Mary said. “In junior high, she helped lead chapel and organize Fellowship of Christian Athlete meetings. She encouraged her big sister (Macey) to get baptized. We’re really proud of her.”

It would seem the magazine Mississippi Christian Living agrees. For 17 years, the magazine has partnered with Belhaven University to recognize Mississippi high school seniors who show Christian character and academic excellence.

This year, out of over 230 applicants, 30 seniors were chosen for the honor of being named Christian Leaders of the Future. Marley was one of them. Two students were chosen for a scholarship, and although Marley didn’t receive a scholarship, she said she was happy to be included in the exclusive group. She was able to attend a workshop and banquet to celebrate the honor of being chosen.

PCA counselor Nancy McClain encouraged seniors to fill out applications to apply for the honor.

“We had to write essays,” Marley said. “It was faith-based. They wanted to know about integrity, faith, leadership and community.”

Marley said her faith is important to her and made the essay an easier task.

“The easiest one for me to answer was about my favorite Bible passage,” she said. “Jeremiah 29:11 has been the main one for me in my season. My favorite verses change for the season. The season I’m in right now – going to college and experiencing change and everything- it reads, ‘for I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you, not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.'”

Marley’s answer on the essay read: “This verse is special to me because it gives me encouragement, especially when I’m facing problems and feel uncertain. This verse reminds me that God has a plan for my life, and He is in control. As senior year is quickly passing, I face uncertainty when choosing my college major. In this passage, God is reassuring me that, despite my unclear path, He has a prosperous plan for my future.”

She said, “So it makes me feel very relieved whenever I read that verse.”

Marley’s plan for the near future is to attend Mississippi State University and major in biological sciences with a focus on pre-dental courses.

Marley credits her mother for giving her a solid foundation in faith and education.

“I don’t think I would be anywhere without my mom,” she said. “She’s always pushed me to be my best. My dad, with sports, he would always throw softballs with me in the yard whenever I was little. He was my coach in for my T-ball and coach-pitch years.”

One of the questions on the application asked who the most significant Christian leader in her life was. Marley didn’t have a difficult time in choosing that person: her mother.

“Her example of faith has taught me what it means to live as a Christian,” Marley said. “She has always shown me the importance of a personal relationship with God through her commitment to prayer, reading the Bible and serving others.When I was young, every single day when we were in the car, we would say our morning prayers. She would pray before me before school and she always had a steady faith, even when she would go through stuff while raising us and going back to school to get her master’s (degree). She was always unwavering. Because of her, I aim to be a better Christian and lead others as she has led me.”

Marley said her best experience in school has been meeting her best friend, Sophie Masterson. They met at PCA in pre-kindergarten class. She also loves the close-knit community PCA offers, the attention the teachers give to students and the Christian atmosphere.

As she leaves PCA behind, Marley said she is looking forward to what lies ahead. She and her future roommate, who is from Tunica, met while playing sports on opposing teams. They are busy planning their coordinating dorm decor for move-in day in the fall.

Marley said Jeremiah 29:11 will continue to be the verse she relies on throughout college.

“God has a plan and it’s all going to work out,” she said.