If you feed them...they will come

When I woke up this morning, I was a little anxious and a little nervous.  You see, today I would be leading my first bible study at Clovis West.  I had it all set up with Coach Parsons, he said I could use his room during lunch.  Now I just had to see if anybody was going to show up.

I set up the bible study last week with Coach Parsons for Tuesday because the Freshman football team had a game on Wednesday and JV and Varsity on Thursday.  I really wanted to run with the new assignment and not wait another week so I pressed for Tuesday.  I contacted the coaches and asked them if they would mention it to their players on Monday.

They said they would.

This initial meeting would be my testimony, so that they could better identify with me...

On Monday, I emailed Coach Parsons to make sure we were still on and he told me that the Varsity couldn't make it because they had to watch film for the Merced game due to the short week.  I started to have doubts as to who exactly was going to show up.  Later that evening, I wasn't even sure my three boys were going to show up...they didn't have to show up...no one had to show up...

Now I wasn't sure who was coming.  I ordered 12 pizzas anyway thinking if only 10 people show up, they would be full...probably borderline sick to their stomachs...

So now we're back on Tuesday, anxious and nervous, I prayed all morning, then it was lunchtime.

43 young men showed up to hear an old guy talk about how he turned his life to Jesus and how they can too.

God is Great.

The Beginning of a Journey...

Ok...this is way outside my comfort zone...


Not only am I not a blogging type person, whatever that is, I don't really care to write down most anything at all, but with this new chapter in my life I find it necessary some how to put it in words.


Let's start from the beginning, sort of...


One morning, I was dropping off my two oldest boys for an early morning workout with the football team when I heard God speak to me.  He told me that I needed to contact the coach via email, so when I got back to my computer, I followed.   



I opened up my email and I just started typing.  I figured, if God wants me to contact the coach then He is going to direct me what to say.  


And He did.


I found myself explaining to Coach Parsons, who I had met only once prior, God had given me a heart for young men coming to Christ.  I had been helping out with FCA over at Alta for the last 6 years.  I continued to tell Coach that I was being faithful to God in contacting him, I didn't know what God had in store, only that I was to contact him.


Cut forward 3 weeks...I'm in Coach Parson's office and we are praying how my role as chaplain for the Clovis West Football Program...


Wow...


I was excited and terrified at the same time.  What a huge responsibility I was given but at the same time what a truly great assignment.  To be able to share the Gospel message with the entire football team...and to watch Heaven grow and Hell shrink...


First day of spring practice, Coach Parsons made it official.  He introduced me to the entire team as the "chaplain".  From that moment on, God as allowed me incredible favor with the young men on the team as well as the coaches.


Last night, the Freshmen, JV & Varsity traveled down to Hanford for a scrimmage.  Now, the varsity team has a history of praying before games, usually with just the boys...and as of last night...now the Freshmen and JV have started that same history.  The coaches allowed me some time before the scrimmages started to pray with the team... 


The Freshmen and the JV...


Hallelujah...


Until next time.