The ministry and the greater game
The Daily Jot recently celebrated its 13th anniversary. At the fourth year mark in 2006, we embarked upon a journey to develop young men by transferring Christian character and leadership skills for them to apply in their lives. In this part of our ministry, we used the sport of football. The development of the Frederick County Christian Eagles program was unique in many ways. The program was primarily for home school and private school boys who did not have opportunities to play football. We also accepted public school kids on a case by case basis. Our approach was so unique and successful in transforming lives that the Lord saw fit to expand this character building ministry to a larger stage--the NFL.
Many of the character and leadership objectives I employed as Head Coach and Athletic Director of the Eagles were refined by further development in conjunction with former NFL players who had a heart to assist the young men coming into the NFL with their character and professional development. Today, the Lord is served by many of these men who are ambassadors and mentors to those who are struggling with their inner selves as they strive to become the leaders and role models not only expected by the public, but as exhorted by the Lord. While many Christians dismiss football as an American idol and like to point out all the wrongs of it, there are many dedicated Christians within the sport who love the Lord and are trying to make a difference in the lives of the lost or those who are working out their faith.
For all the stories about the few guys that are doing the wrong thing, you may not hear or read about the thousand that are doing the right thing--or about the several that are mentoring those very people making the headlines in a bad way. There is ministry going on. There are many out there who are teaching, coaching, and mentoring young men from youth football through college and during their professional experience. The overwhelming majority of football players are pillars of their communities, leaders in their jobs, excelling in life and helping others to do the same. They, and their families, can speak to football's value in forging the qualities of tenacity, teamwork, integrity, respect and excellence.
NFL Vice President of Football Operations Troy Vincent--a dedicated Christian--says, "These are characteristics that every parent desires to see in their children. They are the ingredients of a prosperous and thriving society." Proverbs 22:6 says, "Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it." At The Daily Jot, football is one way to train up young men to be of strong character, leaders and productive citizens--the greater game. I know there are many who disagree. In the next few days, however, I would like to write about my observations from Arizona at the Super Bowl. If you don't like football, please bear with me rather than unsubscribe. You may be glad you did.
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