their care. They adopted their first daughter, Kaia, when she was 8. Soon after, they adopted their daughter Myah, lovingly surrendered through a Safe Haven baby box. Then in February 2025, they had their daughter Eliana through IVF. “If we had tried to do things our way, we would have missed the blessings of His way,” Faltynski says. Today, Faltynski serves as a Lieutenant in the Mishawaka Police Department where he runs the Community Relations Unit. He organizes neighborhood watch programs, National Night Out events and countless outreach initiatives that build trust and connection between law enforcement and residents. Because of his work, Faltynski was honored as the 2024 Officer of the Year for the City of Mishawaka and received the Timothy Award for Outstanding Service from Bethel University in 2025. But he is quick to point the glory back to God. More than 20 years after he graduated from Bethel, Faltynski is still running, but instead of chasing success, he’s running after Jesus. “Since dedicating my life to Christ, I now see how God used running throughout my life to draw me closer to Him. I used to believe I was running away from something, but I was always meant to run to God and bring glory to Him.” (1) Faltynski running for Penn High School. (2) Running with former teammate Peter Ryan in Bethel Cross Country uniforms. (3) Racing postcollege. (4) At the 2025 Bethel Alumni Award Lunch with daugher Myah. (5) Speaking at Bethel's chapel. (6) After the 2025 Bethel Alumni Award Chapel with his wife, Shelby, two youngest daughters and former Bethel Cross Country Coach, Don Hendricks and his wife Beth. (7) With his family at the I.D.E.A. 5K, supporting police and training. 25 SPRING 2026 4 5 6 7
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