The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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MARCH 2022 THE WOLVERINE 39 2022 FOOTBALL RECRUITING ISSUE ico, Central America and South America are flocking to the area in droves. While Gentry and Johnson have never felt unsafe in the area, the community is made up of people from less-than-ideal circumstances. And that makes Gentry's work all the more important. "It's been a huge blessing to help the Latino and Hispanic community," Gentry said. "They are some of the most faithful people you'll ever meet. You don't meet a lot of people that don't believe in God or a higher power. A lot of them have moved from the worst circumstances you can imagine. "I've talked to a lot of people that have experienced hardships. It's been a testi- mony to me to help them. They are also some of the happiest people I've ever met in my life. I love to learn the language, the culture … and eat the food." Gentry and Johnson enter the building and knock on Door 553. No answer. They try a few more times before moving on to Door 551. No answer. It's not unusual for missionaries to see doors remained close. On average, Gentry and Johnson knock on 20 doors per day and success rates vary with answers being on the lower end. "The Hispanic community loves to talk about Jesus Christ," Gentry, a near- fluent Spanish speaker, noted. "We tell them that we are representatives of Jesus Christ, which we are. They have very deep roots in Catholic and Evangelical beliefs. There are difficulties, but when you teach Hispanic people, they are willing to listen. Some want to read the Bible with you. It's been cool to get different experiences. But for the most part, we've seen a lot of love from them. "Our job is to teach the principles we know to be true, and we let people make those decisions for themselves. Our ap- proach is to testify and teach them what we know through prayer and scripture study. We help them pray and read the Book of Mormon. Our goal is to help them do those things." Not all are receptive, but Gentry re- mains focused on his faith's principles. "It's a different process to go knock on somebody's door and not know who's be- hind it and try to share a message with them," he said. "It was a little awkward at first. But the thing that helped me out the most is I believe in this message. "I wouldn't have left my home or given up football for two years if I didn't know it was true. Every time I went to someone's door, I knew it was true, so it made it a lot less awkward. It took some learning and getting used to in order to figure out how to best help these people." A COMMITMENT LIKE NO OTHER As missionaries, Gentry and Johnson are fully committed to their work. Mis- sionaries are instructed to avoid all forms of worldly entertainment. That means most music, television, movies and so- cial media. Missionaries, for the most part, are completely disconnected from society. In fact, missionaries can only make phone calls and communicate virtu- ally with family members on Mondays, which are considered preparation days. On Mondays, missionaries can also shop, do laundry and accomplish other life tasks as they get a break from their daily schedule of teaching and study- ing. Preparation days last until about 6 p.m. when missionaries resume normal activities related to their mission. "It's weird. You don't have access to just look up a question on Google," Gen- try said with a laugh. "For me, it's been a blessing. It teaches you how to be disci- plined. In our world today, there are a lot of people that spend hours and hours on social media. "As a missionary, you have an opportu- nity to fully dedicate yourself to what you are doing at that time. You don't have to worry about the distraction of the outside world." Gentry's older brother, JT, is an offen- sive lineman at BYU and lives just five minutes away. However, the younger Gentry has not been able to see him as he must remain within his mission bound- ary. Even when the towering lineman is recognized as a future Michigan football player, he stays humble. He doesn't want to be known as Andrew Gentry the foot- ball player. He wants to be known as Elder Gentry. "It's admirable," Johnson said. "The normal person would probably get a little prideful about it. Elder Gentry has really kept his peace about it. He hasn't made any big remarks about it or anything. It's a prime example of humility getting you where you are. "I know Elder Gentry worked super hard for everything he has in his life. It's been an influence on me and every person he's come in contact with." It's easy to see that a mission requires significant self-discipline and commit- ment. And that should carry over well to Michigan. "He is going to excel," mission presi- dent James Evanson said. "He has that mentality of trying to do things exactly as they should, being responsible, listen- ing to his own feelings and thoughts, and trusting the Heavenly Father. "I think he'll lift other members of the team. He has a real knack to motivate peo- ple. Missionary work isn't the military, but it does create self-discipline and per- sonal drive, which will translate really well into academics and athletics. Along with that, missionaries know how to study and apply." Gentry remembers having lunch with former BYU offensive lineman Eli Her- ring, who also served a two-year mission and then turned down millions of dol- lars as a projected first- to third-round While serving on his mission the last two years, Gentry is only allotted a half-hour to work out each day. "I'm not where I was before, and that's OK," he said. "If I serve and dedicate everything I have here, the Lord is going to bless me when I return." PHOTO BY EJ HOLLAND