An example of Revivalution through football...

Five years ago, a handful of parents got together at a Dairy Queen in Frederick, Maryland. We didn't know each other, but we had a common goal: our sons. These were home school boys and boys who went to small Christian private schools. They had played football up through eighth grade, but for them it was the end of the road. No more football. There was no football team at the high school level for such young men. And as parents, we were about to do something about that. We were told by others that it would take a year to start a team, that we should expect to lose every game for two years, and if our kids had any ideas about playing in college, forget it. Scouts don't scout home school teams.

I gathered the parents around the table and looked each of them in the eyes and told them that I didn't want to wait a year to start a team and that if we all took certain responsibilities and did them, we could get a team up and running this season. During the upcoming month, we all worked really hard. We needed a schedule; a place to practice; equipment; insurance; a place to play games; and players. God's hand was on us. Our first practice on July 17th saw 19 young men taking the field that hot summer afternoon. We went 5-5 that first season. We were in the first ever MACC Championship game the second season. We have ministered to some 120 young men, pulling from a 60 mile radius of Frederick.

We use the sport of football to teach Christian character and leadership. This is a football ministry. It is one of a handful of independent varsity high school football teams across the country--maybe 30. We have no facilities, so we made do with what we have--a garage with weights, workouts during the week in the off season with retired NFL players. We have expanded our ministry to include at risk boys. We pray before each practice. We close each practice in prayer. We pray before each game. And we close each game in prayer--and a lot of prayer goes on during games. We very often use bible examples in our coaching and teaching moments.

Many of our boys have turned their lives around. Young men from the projects are finding purpose and camaraderie. Jesus is at the center of the team. And though some kids don't want to hear it at first, they are seeing how life with Christ is a real game changer! When we were discussing the slim chances of our son ever getting a college scholarship by playing on the Eagles, at 14 years old, he said, "If God wants me to have a scholarship, He will make sure I get one. So let's do this and do it the best we can. Its in His hands." At 18 he received his scholarship, and promptly gave God the glory. Philippians 4:13 says, "I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me." Revivalution. You can make a difference.

Have a Blessed and Powerful Day!