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ATHENS—It was a normal Sunday morning at Sand Springs Baptist Church in Athens until a busload of football players lumbered into the auditorium, invited by offensive lineman Nate Richards of Keller.
“Nate’s dad offered to provide lunch for the guys and some of our church leadership at his expense,” explained Erick Graham, pastor, describing the effort to minister to the spiritual needs of the Trinity Valley Community College team. As it turned out, several of the young men left that afternoon with more than a free meal.
“At the invitation time we had several decisions, with two players and a trainer wanting to know more about having a relationship with Christ,” Graham said. “They had been talking to some Christians on the team and came forward,” he recalled, adding that the church had begun follow-up on those who were in attendance.
“Another young man who was familiar with Dr. Richards came forward for prayer,” said Graham, referring to guest preacher Jim Richards, Nate’s father and the executive director of the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention.
By fellowshipping over lunch, members were able to interact with the coaches as well. “The guys coming to TVCC are here for two years and gone to who knows where,” Graham said. “The coaches will stay here longer and some of them seemed genuinely excited and happy to be invited to our church.”
While Sand Springs Baptist has worked through the collegiate ministry of Dogwood Trails Baptist Association to help feed students on campus throughout the semester, the Oct. 29 outreach was the first time the pastor recalled having so many students attend church. “The president of the school attends our church, but even he had no clue the team was going to be with us until he saw the bus show up,” Graham said. “He was completely surprised, but stayed to have lunch with the team.”
Graham said most junior college players are hoping to be recruited by a bigger school at some point. “If we can win some of these guys it’s a great mission opportunity because they’re going all over the nation. They’re at a critical time in their lives and they have a lot of questions about their future,” he added. “A lot of people turn away from Christ during the college years, but there are also a lot who are seeking something. So we can give them the proper answer—that Jesus is the answer.”
That may not be the world’s perspective as to what makes for a prosperous life, Graham said, but he wants students to discover the treasure available from God’s perspective. “It doesn’t matter what you make or whether you go to the NFL; if you line up on the Word of God then you’re a success in your spiritual life no matter what a professional football career provides.”
As Sand Springs Baptist focuses on catching up with students who are in a transitional stage of life, Graham said, “We are really trying to use the opportunity to reach out to them more and more.”
