In honor of Black History Month, throughout February we’ll be sharing weekly content that highlights topics around unity, justice, hope, community and accountability.
“He executes justice for the fatherless and the widow, and loves the resident alien, giving him food and clothing. You are also to love the resident alien, since you were resident aliens in the land of Egypt.”—Deuteronomy 10:18-19
Coaches and athletes have enormous influence in the communities they live in and beyond. You only need to google Damar Hamlin of the Buffalo Bills to see how the local and global community rallied around him during his medical crisis on the football field in 2022. In the same way, coaches and athletes have a grand opportunity to live a life of significance for Jesus by sharing the Good News and engaging with those around them.
What does that engagement look like in your greater community? As a coach or athlete, are you seeking opportunities to engage with people from different ethnic, racial, or gender backgrounds? During the days of the Israelites, widows, orphans, and foreigners were the social groups of people who faced insecurities for basic life needs and protection. In our culture today, we still have orphans, widows, and foreigners living among us with the same basic needs. There are many who feel unseen, unloved, unprotected, and unprovided for. Scripture reveals to us how much God cares for those in need.
So, what about us? As a coach or an athlete, how can you expand your sphere of influence and seek out others in need who do not look like you, dress like you, talk like you, or live in your neighborhood, but live in your community? What can you do this week in terms of reaching out, engaging, and celebrating those in need, driven from a perspective of increasing diverse opportunities in your community that deliver hope to those in need?
Seeking Others:
1. Partner with a multicultural church, seeking new friendships and opportunities to minister to those identified as being in need (what diverse people group is dominant in your area?).
2. Volunteer at a camp or coach a club team for urban kids.
3. Provide financial support to one child in need to play on his or her local sports team.
4. Intentionally support or collaborate with a female coach in your area.
Celebrate Others:
1. Minister to that child by sharing the Gospel and celebrating small wins as they move forward in faith.
2. Organize a gathering with food, fun, and activities in the neighborhood to build relationships with those in your community you are unfamiliar with.
3. Intentionally set aside a few hours a week to get to know local pastors to support them in ministry and community initiatives.
4. Listen to and learn from others who have different life experiences than you for the purpose of growing and understanding the life journeys of others.
About the Author:
Darlene Johnson is on the FCA Board of Trustees and serves as Board Advisor. She currently resides in Maryland with her husband, Craig, who previously coached for the New York Giants. Currently, he is the Associate Head Coach and Running Backs Coach for the Indiana Hoosiers. They have two adult children, Shelby and Sydney.
Invite a teammate or coach to go through the five-day YouVersion Bible reading plan Greater Unity:
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