Making Disciples

CCA football hosted Inlet Grove on Friday in a preseason Kickoff Classic.  The team played well, but it's what happened after the game that answers the question, "What's God doing in athletics?"  Here's an email I received from Coach Trent Gamble following Friday's game:

"The guys did a great job today in the game and after.  In our one on one connection, 2 coaches received the Lord and two of our kids led two of their kids to the Lord from the opposing team.  One of our kids said three of them were close but not ready, but was able to challenge them. One of our players, Dominick, did the gospel with both teams in the middle and we had a chance to pray with everyone.   It was really good to see the vision come together."

A parent walked by me after the game and said when she saw the players praying with the other team that it was the coolest thing she ever saw and that it made her day.  Hopefully, that's something parents will say more and more at Calvary Christian Academy.  Our mission at CCA in all departments is to Make Disciples for Jesus Christ.

Trent Gamble's vision for "one-on-one connections" after the football game is having eternal ramifications.  Trent believes that the time spent competing against the other team provides the players with a relationtionship built on honor and mutual respect. After each game, a CCA player shares the Gospel and then our players (and our coaches) find the athlete they were matched up against and offer to pray for them.  And, as you read earlier, a few had the opportunity to lead souls to Christ.

Trent views every football game as an outreach, a platform to complete the task of testifying to the Gospel of God's grace.  His spiritual focus puts his athletic passion (football) in the proper perspectice.  What are you focused on?  Why do you do what you do?  Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and I'll see you at the finish!

Leadership

One of our goals this year is to strengthen the discipleship of CCA staff and students. Coach Trent Gamble challenged his football players to "follow Christ at all times" during the first two weeks of practice. On the field the players were tested physically battling heat and exhaustion.  Off the field they were strecthed spiritually, disciplining themselves to go before the Lord and grow in their faith.

Each player was given a daily assignment in God's Word and after two weeks, Coach Gamble selected six players to be the small group leaders for the rest of the year. They are Dominique Pierre, Kyle Whitley, Alex Garner, RJ Barnett, Kyle Lee, and Geoff Gregory.

Coach Gamble said, "they will be held to the standard of a leader and I am looking forward to seeing them grow and to seeing them lead on and off the field. Please keep all of these guys in prayer as I know they will be tempted and challenged."  2 Timothy 2:2 says. "commit (the things you have heard from God's Word) to faithful men who will be able to teach others also."  Coach Gamble gets it!  These six football players get it.

Are you reday to step out and lead by following Christ at all times?

One thing I ask the Lord

A week before school starts and the pace around the athletic department has quickened. We're busy finalizing schedules, officials, equipment, transportation and the dozens of other details that affect our 16 teams that will participate at CCA this fall. And, I'm sure our administrators, teachers, coaches, moms, dads, and students are feeling the same pressures preparing for a new school year.



Turning to the only source for answers and peace, the Bible says in Acts 20:24 "if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me - the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace." It was Paul's single mindedness that made him the greatest missionary of all time.



Psalm 27:4 says, "One thing I ask the Lord, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple." Pastor Mark used this verse yesterday at the "Born for More" men's conference held at Calvary Chapel Fort Lauderdale to make the point that career satisfaction and personal success come from simplifying things and narrowing the focus.



Colossians 3 tells us to set our hearts and minds on things above. This means STOP STRESSING OUT and focus on what God has called us to do...make disciples. Seek first His kingdom and God will take care of the rest.