Vashti Cunningham is a devout non-denominational Christian. Her faith serves as the foundation for both her personal life and her career as a world-class Olympic high jumper.
Deep Family Roots in the Church
Her spiritual upbringing is closely tied to her family. Her parents, NFL legend Randall Cunningham and former professional ballerina Felicity de Jager Cunningham, are the co-pastors and founders of Remnant Ministries, a multicultural, non-denominational Christian church in Las Vegas. Her father does not just serve as her pastor; he is also her lifelong high jump coach.
How Faith Guides Her Athletic Career
Cunningham frequently highlights how relying on God helps her handle the intense pressure of elite athletic competitions:
Relying on Divine Strength: Rather than relying solely on her own physical capabilities or training, she openly speaks about relying entirely on God’s power and strength during high-stakes meets.
Competition Routines: Her race-day preparation centers strictly around her faith. She regularly conducts a morning Bible study with her father and listens to worship music and sermons to ground her mind before stepping onto the track.
Handling Failure and Success: Following setbacks—such as her 13th-place finish at the 2016 Rio Olympics—she credited her faith-driven support system with helping her recover mentally. She views both victories and defeats as opportunities to bring glory to her faith.
Biblical Namesake: She was named after the biblical Queen Vashti from the Book of Esther. She has expressed that she draws personal strength from her name, noting that it inspires her to stand firm in her convictions and do what is right.
