Coaches Christmas Connect
Bill Adamson, FCA Rep for NE Minnesota, was one of the leads on the first event. Bill said, “I think Randy Jensen [South Metro Area Director] had the initial idea and then we spent some time talking and planning on the phone. We both have a heart for coaches and wanted to do something to encourage and minister to them. Coaches are really struggling with the loss of seasons and not getting to do what they are called to do. We sensed that there was a lot of stress with our coaches.”
Randy Jensen, South Metro Area Director said they wanted to do something, “to INVEST and ENGAGE coaches – to help them connect with one another and give some coaches an opportunity to let their lights shine for Jesus as an example to other coaches, and to challenge coaches to prepare their own hearts for Christmas!”
As FCA staff discussed what they could do, it became clear that the season of Advent – the time when we anticipate the birth of our Savior – was a perfect time to bring the hope of Christ to coaches all over the state. Coaches will meet over Zoom three Friday mornings in December to hear a 15-20 minute message about the four tenets of Advent: Hope, Love, Joy, and Peace. After the message, coaches will go into breakout rooms for small group discussion.
The first Coaches Christmas Connect was held Friday, December 4, with 30 coaches in attendance. Becker High School’s football coach for over 50 years, Dwight Lundeen, shared a message of hope with his fellow coaches. Coach Lundeen, the third winningest football coach in Minnesota, shared examples of some of the challenges he faced this fall:
- Two of his best players were put on quarantine right before a big game.
- The day before they were to play another game, the opposing team’s school was shut down and all activities canceled.
- The Becker Bulldogs were the #1 seed in the conference and were set to play in the championship in just a few days, but all winter sports were put on pause and they were forced to end their season early.
Despite the challenges, Coach Lundeen has hope. “This is what I know today: I don’t know what tomorrow brings, but I trust the Lord. The hope we have in Christ can get us through these situations.” He further stated, “The hope we have in Christ Jesus is a lock-down guarantee we have, and the other hopes, like whether we will play the game, is just a wish.”
Lundeen ended with the following statement before coaches went to their breakout rooms: “I don’t have all the answer to life’s questions, but after loving God and serving Christ for more than 50 years in Becker, what I can say is that I’ve walked with Jesus for enough yesterdays to trust him with all my tomorrows.” He implored other coaches to do the same.
There was rich discussion in the breakout rooms, and positive feedback after the event. Bill said, “The three coaches in my breakout room didn’t want it to end and were very grateful that we are doing this. A coach from up north emailed as soon as we finished and said, ‘That was a great way to start my day -- thank you for the invitation!’”
