Faith was a big part of my upbringing. These were always consistent: daily morning devotions, Sunday morning church, youth group, and choir practice. Choir practice was exceptionally fun because after practice was over, we would walk to town to hang out and maybe buy a candy bar or football cards.
My dad was the spiritual leader of our home and made a lasting impact on my life. He loved his Bible, his church, and his Lord and Savior. Even though “Jesus talk” didn’t happen much outside the times of devotions or church, it was evident to me that my Dad was passionate about his faith and was committed to Christ. I was not on his ‘shirttail’ wanting to do farm activities, but somehow, I caught this man’s zeal for the Lord 🙂.
“For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations” Psalms 100:5.
I put my faith in Jesus as a youngster but did not make my faith real until I was 25 years old, after my dad passed away. At that time, I truly started following Jesus.
I married my high school sweetheart and began a teaching and coaching career lasting over 35 years. Joni and I believe that God guided us through all seven of our moves (Coleridge; Malvern, Iowa; Great Bend, Kansas; Norfolk; Aurora; Papillion; La Vista; and Central City). At each move, it was a priority for us to find a church home. I followed a lot of the same faith traditions that I witnessed through my dad’s example growing up.
As I matured in my own faith, my faith became more evident to the team that I was coaching, as well as to the school and community. As a Christian coach, it became important to be a Coach for Christ. It was during the time when I was coaching in Great Bend, Kansas, that a mom suggested that we start a Prayer Breakfast for our team on Friday mornings. This tradition continued through the rest of my career. And it was in Aurora when I became involved in helping lead the FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes) huddle.
After 17 years of being the Head Football Coach in Aurora, I was contacted by the administration of Papillion LaVisita H.S. and urged to apply for the head football coaching position. Joni and I were comfortable in Aurora, as we both were enjoying successful careers. However, after a lot of prayer and counsel, we decided to get “uncomfortable” and accepted the coaching position, moving us to the Omaha metro area. Joni was hired as an elementary reading coach in the Westside school district.
It was during this time I felt God tugging on my heart to become more transparent with my faith. Still continuing with the Prayer Breakfast (although we changed it to a Thursday night Prayer Supper), we added a team prayer meeting on Wednesday nights after practice. In addition, I started a coaches’ Bible study on Saturday mornings where I was able to share the gospel individually with eight out of my 10 assistant coaches who were not Christians, and I also got more involved in the FCA huddle at the school, helping lead the meetings.
These four years were definitely a testing time. It was a battle to change the culture of our football team where it was evident there was Spiritual Warfare on and off the field. My wife and I had gotten what we asked for… we got “uncomfortable”.
“For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow” James 1:3.
Because of these struggles and testing times, I looked forward to Thursdays when the FCA area rep. in Omaha, Nate Holtz, came by and offered encouragement. Each week we had a prayer walk around the campus 🙂
Three years later, Joni accepted a teaching position in Central City, where our son and daughter-in-law were teaching and coaching. At this point, I knew there would be a change in my life. Little did I know that through my experience at Papillion La Vista, God was preparing me for a new career. I knew several FCA staff, one of them being Josh Reynolds. Josh was the area director of the East Central Fellowship of Christian Athletes so I connected with him and later accepted a job as an East Central area rep.
It became evident to me that God called me into this ministry. We moved to an acreage close to Central City, and I began my new career. This was a special time as I also was able to be an assistant coach with our son, Troy, who was the head Football Coach at Central City, and I led the team huddle/devotional on Thursdays before practice.
I’m now in my eighth year as an FCA East Central area rep. This past year our son, Troy and his family moved to Loomis, Nebraska where I’m still leading a team huddle/devotional on Wednesdays. I have ‘somewhat’ hung up my whistle that has been around my neck for the last 42 years 🙂
The FCA mission is to lead every coach and athlete into a growing relationship with Jesus Christ and his church. The FCA vision is to see the world transformed by Jesus Christ through the influence of coaches and athletes. We have over 40 active huddles in our area, including Heartland High School :-).
It has been a joy for me to see coaches, teachers, and volunteers take time out of their busy schedules and step forward to share the good news, lead huddles, and encourage students to attend camps. This past summer, we started a new camp, the ‘FCA All Sports Camp’ held at the University of Nebraska. It was a sweet time as we had over 200 kids attend. It is often during these huddles and/or camps where students will give their life to Christ, and they will experience change in their lives.
“If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new ” II Corinthians 5:17.
This transformation is happening with our strategy of “to and through” the Coach. We engage, equip, and empower coaches to share the gospel and be a coach for Christ. I get fired up when I see coaches who are all in for Christ. They are impacting lives for eternity! They are bold when speaking about Jesus and sharing the gospel. They set the example of what it means to follow Jesus.
Life lessons are learned through sports. It’s a long list… discipline, unity, commitment, work ethic, humility, sacrifice, perseverance…the list goes on. But the most important of all is the gospel of Jesus Christ.
“ONE COACH WILL IMPACT MORE YOUNG PEOPLE IN ONE YEAR THAN THE AVERAGE PERSON DOES IN A LIFETIME” DR. BILLY GRAHAM
After being around kids for the past 40+ years, I have come to the conclusion that kids today are the same as they were when I was a kid. However, the world around them is definitely different! Technology…need I say more? As parents, church leaders, teachers, and coaches we must be intentional when it comes to “speaking Jesus”. Just going to church on Sunday mornings is not going to prepare kids to live a life worthy of its calling. It all starts in the home. Are you praying with your children?
Are you telling them before they leave for a sports activity, “I will be praying for you to compete for Christ. Have fun!” Is your family reading devotions? Are you tackling tough questions by looking for truth found in your Bible? Are phones being put away for family time? Are you comfortable speaking, communicating, and doing activities with your children? These are the same questions that I still ask myself. I’m thankful for my wife who has often communicated faith through her words of encouragement to our kids.
As Christians, we find our sufficiency in God, and we view God’s word as our heritage.
“I have your decrees as a heritage forever; indeed, they are the joy of my heart.”
Psalms 119:111
God’s blessings – Randy
Coaches praying before practice and Randy with UNL offensive lineman Tyler Knaak at the FCA All Sports Camp – courtesy photos
