18.08.2015 Views

Pray Play

PraytoPlay

PraytoPlay

SHOW MORE
SHOW LESS

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.

CincinnatiTuberville continues to hire chaplains for his teams.When he arrived in Cincinnati in 2013, Tubervillehired Antrione Archer as chaplain. Archer waslater jailed on charges of sexual assault. 146Ties to the FCAAt the center of this confusing network is the Fellowshipof Christian athletes, a $100 million Christian ministrydedicated to winning converts. 147 FCAChaplains.orgstates an explicit desire, not to help students worship,but “to present to athletes and coaches and all whomthey influence the challenge and adventure of receivingJesus Christ as Savior and Lord, serving Him in theirrelationships and in the fellowship of the church.” 148The FCA abides by an unabashedly evangelicalChristian statement of faith: 149• We believe the Bible to be the inspired, the only infallible,authoritative Word of God. (2 Timothy 3:16-17)• We believe there is only one God, eternally existent in threepersons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. (Matthew 28:19)• We believe in the deity of Christ (John 1:1), in His virginbirth (Matthew 1:18, 25), in His sinless life (Hebrews4:15), in His miracles, in His vicarious and atoning deaththrough His shed blood (Hebrews 9:15-22), in His bodilyresurrection (1 Corinthians 15:1-8), in His ascensionto the right hand of the Father (Acts 1:9-11) and in Hispersonal return in power and glory (Hebrews 9:27-28).• We believe that for the salvation of lost and sinful menwomen, regeneration by the Holy Spirit is absolutelyessential. (John 3:16; John 5:24; Titus 3:3-7)• We believe in the present ministry of the Holy Spirit, bywhose indwelling the Christian is enabled to live a godlylife. (John 14:15-26; John 16:5-16; Ephesians 1:13-14)• We believe in the resurrection of both the saved and thelost, they that are saved unto the resurrection of life andthey that are lost unto the resurrection of damnation.(Matthew 25:31-46; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18)• We believe in the spiritual unity of believers inour Lord Jesus Christ. (Philippians 2:1-4)The FCA is the source of many of these problematicchaplaincies. One interviewer flat-out asked, “How does[Mississippi head coach Hugh] Freeze pull all this off ata state-funded school?” He unhesitatingly responded,“I do everything through the FCA platform.” 150Tommy Tuberville does the same thing: “There are a lot ofthings that are cultivated through a football team in college,and we feel like cultivating them through FCA and JesusChrist is an avenue where they can grow in all areas.” 151For instance, University of Virginia player JimmyHowell, converted to the FCA version of Christianity ata bible study led by team chaplain George Morris:[Morris] asked everyone to close their eyes. “Tonight, youcan decide that Jesus is your Lord and Savior,” he told theroom. “And if you want to make that change right now,then open your eyes, stand up, and come to the front ofthe room.” Howell decided to give his life to Christ rightthen and there, joining an ever-growing constituency ofChristians on the UVA football team. “Ever since CoachLondon and [chaplain] Morris got here people are morevocal and more out about being Christians and believers,”Howell said. “It’s readily talked about every day aroundthe locker room. You see a Bible everywhere you go.” 152FCA’s goal is to convert people to Christianity, to get them toaccept Jesus Christ as “Savior and Lord.” FCA chaplains arenot committed to the university, the Constitution, or evenstudents. FCA chaplains “demonstrate steadfast commitmentto Jesus Christ and His Word….” 153 They are committed totheir religion and bringing others into that religion. Andpublic universities are giving them free rein to do so.Most of the prime movers building this incestuous weave ofreligion throughout college football are tied to the FCA:• Ken Smith, the grandfather of football chaplains, is aformer member of the FCA Board of Trustees and hasbeen inducted into the FCA’s Hall of Champions (2010). 154• Bobby Bowden is currently the FCA’s “goldenticket.” The FCA annually gives the “Bobby BowdenStudent Athlete of the Year” award to a Christian“who epitomizes the student-athlete.” 155 Bowden isa sought-after public speaker that regularly appearsfor FCA, especially at their fundraisers. 156• FCA’s national chaplain-training project wasthe brainchild and funded by Tuberville andinstituted at Auburn during his tenure.Coaches and the FCA have a mutuallybeneficial relationship that thrives at theexpense of students and schools.Coaches and the FCA have a mutually beneficial relationshipthat thrives at the expense of students and schools. The FCAattempts to sell access to teams and players and in the processraise money and convert students. Coaches receive awards and,like Bowden, are feted and asked to speak all over the country.Many of the coaches in this report have been named FCA’scoach of the year, including Hugh Freeze, Bobby Bowden, MarkRicht, Tommy Bowden, Dabo Swinney, and Tommy Tuberville.15 <strong>Pray</strong> to <strong>Play</strong> Freedom From Religion Foundation

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!