Greetings to each of you! We are excited to keep you updated with us as we serve the UCLA athletic community. What a difference a year makes! Since being led to launch our own mentoring ministry, Jenny & I have been blown away by the support and encouragement we have received from many of you. We are ready to hit the ground running in this new school year. We are grateful and hope to keep you connected with us through these periodic updates.
FOOTBALL
Though the new school year officially got started Sept. 26th, the fall sports season has been in full effect since early August. In an attempt to getting grafted back into ministry with the football program, I have been working hard at cultivating relationships with the guys on the team. Attending practices and pre-game chapel services has assisted with this process. We had a great turnout for our 1st pre-game chapel service, in which I was formally introduced to the guys by a colleague of mine who I will be working alongside, serving the 100 plus men on the team. Just a couple weeks ago, I was blessed with the opportunity to speak at the pre-game chapel service to over 20 guys/coaches who showed up that afternoon. What an honor to have such a task!
On a sad note, on September 8th, the UCLA Football team tragically lost one of its players in a car accident. Nick Pasquale, a 2nd year wide receiver, was remembered as a tenacious, hard-working, over-achiever, whose larger than life personality, made a tremendous impact on many of his teammates and coaches. Though I never had the opportunity to meet Nick, Jenny and I felt led to attend his memorial service.
At the memorial, friends, teammates, and family members talked about Nick's journey of faith and how he had over the past 6 months or so, re-dedicated his life to walking closer to his Savior, Jesus Christ! What an awesome blessing to not only hear that news, but to also hear the gospel message proclaimed boldly for all to hear.
Despite, never making it inside the sanctuary due to the enormous crowd who came to pay their respect, we were still glad we made the trip down, as it provided opportunities for me to connect with several UCLA players and coaches who were still grappling with the reality of Nick's death.
Even in the midst of this tragedy, the team managed to play one of its most inspiration games in recent history by going on the road and defeating the Nebraska Cornhuskers. The above picture is the post-game prayer.
WOMEN'S SOCCER
Not only has there been opportunities to get reconnected with football, but the Lord has also opened a new door for our ministry with the women's soccer team. Jenny and I were asked by 1st year coach, Amanda Cromwell, if we would be available to lead a pre-game chapel service for any of the players who had an interest. Well, we said yes, of course, and the response has been very encouraging thus far. We've had an amazing turnout and the girls all seem very eager to learn and grow in their faith. We've even had a dad of one of the freshman, approach us after a recent game, just to affirm us in what we were doing with the team, because of what his daughter told him.
So much more to share, but you'll have to wait until our next post....
PRAYER REQUESTS:
- We would stay in-tune to God's Spirit, as we seek to participate in His activity on campus.
- Continued favor with coaches & administrators on campus.
- Planning/Logistics in starting up a weekly coaches bible study.
- Family balance as we juggle the various commitments on our plates.
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