"Oh no he didnt"

"2 Chronicles 7: 14 If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land."

Last week proved to be a challenging week for me personally. My friends, Coach Mike Drass and Coach Al Lavan (will write about Al in next blog), found themselves in the midst of adversity. It deeply saddened me to read about the Wesley players being arrested and to receive a call from Coach Lavan regarding his termination. Unfortunately, the media gravitates toward the negative side of sports.

Wesley Football was the first college relationship of our FCA ministry 5 years ago. Coach provides and encourages opportunities for players and Coaches to grow and seek help. Did you know Coach Drass organized a dinner with FCA for the 15 closest friends of the young man who committed suicide a month ago for them to heal?

Did you know Wesley athletes & Coaches have been a part of our summer discipleship program since its inception? Did you know there are two Bible study opportunities for athletes on campus? Did you know 6 former Wesley athletes attended our regional Coaches Conference last year? Did you know FCA serves Wesley Basketball, Lacrosse and Baseball teams? Did you know Wesley Field Hockey had a Chapel with Joann Kenton (Wesley Hall of Famer)prior to their playoff game? Did you know WC Football Cheerleaders pray before and after every game?

In the midst of all the Wesley Football accomplishments over 5 years, 2 Chron 7:14 has been a spiritual pillar of the program. Win or lose, Wesley prays before and after every game. The attached picture is Mike Clarke praying after Whitewater beat us at their house, imagine the courage of warriors humbling themselves and praying after getting their you know what whipped. I remember seeing Mike Clarke crying his heart out on the bench as the clock ran out and then moments later leading the guys in prayer.

While many college age kids were still in bed yesterday, a group of Wesley College Football players gathered for the hearing of God's Word at 7:15 a.m. Faith comes by hearing. What a beautiful thing to see young people in the presence of God. We talked about holiness, the Gospel and the refining of Gideon's team this week.

Some of the young men who were arrested have recently been pursuing spiritual guidance, and we must remember their sin is no different than our sin in God's eyes. Some want to yell "crucify them crucify them" when we read about athletes in the paper. We are working with Coach Drass to be available to love those young men as well as initiating additional preventative ministry for the other players.

A half hour after Football Chapel we deliver God's word to the entire team and Coaches in the Cafeteria, pray a blessing over them, then pray the Lord's prayer together with the team. This moment is energizing. We sometimes stereotype a program and their leaders by what we read in the paper.

Two weeks ago we sang "Lean on me" together four hours before kick off. The energy, spirit, unity and diversity in the cafeteria that morning was amazing. Initiated by Coach Drass, Wesley utilizes skype when the team is away to receive a message from the team football Chaplain (Anthony Morris). On Thursday nights before road trips, FCA delivers a 2 minute drill (message) and prayer. The dominating Wesley defense prays on the field with Anthony before their first and last series.

Countless college athletes have been impacted for Jesus over five years. In spite of the 2010 adversity that Wesley Football has experienced, many Kingdom victories have been won. Pray for Wesley and all college athletes, you will likely never read about what Jesus is doing at our schools but our enemies accomplishments will always be printed. We can be confident our enemy is the loser and Jesus is winning.

When you think of Wesley College think positively because if the devil was not being beaten down and ground was not being taken, he would not be on the prowl. If we are not having spiritual attacks, than the devil has us right where he wants us.

I told the entire team yesterday, wearing John Wesley's name across your chest should impact them. When John Wesley would preach to thousands, a warning would go forth to get people out of the trees because the power and presence of God was going to come so strong. So may it be with Wesley Football!

Pray on Wesley! Heal their land God!
Make it a great day!
Coach C