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photo by Stephen Dawkins
In the huddle: Thorsby football team chaplain Marc Hodges talks to the Rebels before their season finale against Winterboro on Oct. 29. Hodges has served as the team’s chaplain for five years.
Faith & Football: Chaplains inspire young players
Published Monday, November 2, 2009
High school football coaches can take one hat off the crowded rack in their offices.
Mentor, drill instructor, groundskeeper and custodian—sure. But not counselor, not for those coaches lucky enough to have a team chaplain.
At least four of six county football teams have chaplains, who take on an important role for teenagers trying to focus on football instead of problems with girlfriends, family life, drugs and school—or the purpose for their existence.
“We feel like, as coaches, counseling is now part of our job description,” Maplesville coach Brent Hubbert said. “It’s good to have someone who can do it from a religious background. It takes the pressure off of us.
“We’ll have one every team I coach, if possible.”
Kirk Smith, pastor at Shady Grove Baptist Church in Randolph, is in his third season as chaplain for the Red Devils.
Another local chaplain, Marc Hodges, said he decided to begin serving as Thorsby’s chaplain five years ago because he wanted to be able to offer encouragement to people that were receiving criticism from many different directions.
“I believe that all kids need a non-threatening adult in their lives,” said Hodges, youth pastor at Victory Baptist Church in Jemison. “They get authority from teachers, coaches and their parents.
“We were looking to just encourage, let them know that somebody cares.”
Hodges tries to make at least one practice a week. He goes to the pep rallies on Fridays and then talks to the team during its pregame meal. Finally, Hodges prays with the players before and after games.
“Sometimes, the coaches are getting on them pretty good, and then I just come over and offer some encouragement,” Hodges said.
Chilton County High senior quarterback Taylor Hughes said not all players might take the messages seriously, but others take them to heart.
Hughes, whose father, Tony, is a former CCHS chaplain and pastor at Walnut Creek United Methodist Church, said many players appreciate having a chaplain available to listen to their concerns.
“I think it’s important to be able to go to somebody that is not going to make you run for something you did,” Hughes said.
Though Hodges ministers to players, he takes a different approach than he would with the youth at his church. Some of the players have never set foot in a church and are unfamiliar with most, if not all, of Christian teachings.
Also, the players haven’t voluntarily walked into a church in hopes of hearing a Christian message. So, Hodges avoids “ramming Jesus down their throats,” especially because some players might follow a different faith.
“I talk in a lot of generalities at first: God made them and wants them to do their best,” Hodges said. “We’re trying to minister to them and present them an option of a life with Christ.”
Hodges said there have been no instances in his five years of players or parents that opposed having a religious leader around the team.
“I’ve worked really hard to earn their trust,” Hodges said. “I try to show them that I really care about them. I believe with all my heart that I can’t share Christ effectively without showing Christ first.”
Hodges said he’s helped guide several players toward Christianity but emphasizes that building a congregation is not his purpose.
One current player is part of Hodges’ youth group at Victory.
“We’ve seen several of them accept Christ, and it has been fun to see them grow,” Hodges said. “They may not come to my church, but if they just live according to the 10 Commandments, they’ll be better off.”
Sometimes, messages really hit home.
Hodges talked to the Rebels the week after they had snapped a 17-game losing streak with a 28-6 win over Shades Mountain Christian on Oct. 9. He wore a shirt that got muddy during the postgame celebration.
The message was to forget about what has happened in past and keeping focused on the goals ahead.
“Just as silly as you think it is that I’ve got this dirty shirt on, it’s just as bad to walk around thinking about last week,” Hodges told the team.
And when quarterback Andrew Farris’ fumble in the next game, at county rival Isabella, was returned for a touchdown that gave the Mustangs the lead, Hodges was quick to reiterate his point.
Farris forgot the fumble and led his team to a 32-30 win in overtime.
“That was just the neatest thing,” Hodges said.
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Comments
Posted by bamagirl77 (anonymous) on November 3, 2009 at 8:47 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Thanks to all the chaplains who take the time to do this for the players. It is a wonderful ministry and I'm glad someone has stepped up to do it.
Posted by my2cents (anonymous) on November 3, 2009 at 9:57 a.m. (Suggest removal)
So basically if you join the football team you also get a religous counselor? I believe in expanding one's ministry to find all sorts of persons to try to teach them from the Bible. Does every after school activity come with a religious counselor too? Do the counselors bring Bibles out and actually share scriptures? Does each player bring their own Bible too? Are comparisons made to football exercises and Christian teachings? Does automatically joining the team mean you automatically get a religous counselor? If a so called Christian based counselor is allowed then what is to stop a counselor of any other faith such as Atheism, Islam, Native American Spirituality, Wicca, etc from being allowed to counsel our children? Although I fully support the Bible and expanding one's ministry to the fullest, it does concern me that this may infringe on seperation of Church and State as defined in our Constitution. Especially since these schools are government supported public schools and not religiously supported private schools. Although we may be in favor of this particular type of counseling, the tables could just as easily be turned in a way that we would not be in favor of if we allow one type based faith what is to stop another type from counseling our children? Just my thought, I fully respect anyone else's opinion that may disagree with me.
Posted by luv4God (anonymous) on November 3, 2009 at 11:45 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I like the Idea of a Christian Pastor, Chaplain sharing the Gospel to the school age kids... It's about time that God is being brought back in the School system.
Posted by chiltontransplant (anonymous) on November 3, 2009 at 12:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)
3 things, my2cents: 1. To see anything wrong with team chaplains while believing one should expand their ministry, well, is contradictory. 2. Separation of Church and State is not in our Constitution. It is inferred to avoid state run religion. 3. Teams have to request a chaplain. Therefore religious counselling through a chaplain is not superimposed upon the team. If at any time a team in our county requests an atheist, buddhist, Muslim, etc., etc.,. then we all have more to worry about than a volunteer who wants to encourage kids.
Posted by my2cents (anonymous) on November 3, 2009 at 1:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Actually chiltontransplant, I didn't say whether I thought it was wrong or not. And the constitution actually states "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof." Or as Thomas Jefferson coined the term "seperation of church and state." Also, I have no doubt that these volunteers have the best of intentions. A team of players is made up of a group of individuals. If the majority of the members of the team requests a chaplain then is not the chaplain imposed on the minority? I fully support the Bible in my own personal life, but I wouldn't want my children around or even involved with other religous types of religous activities such as religous chants, voodoo, sacrificial burnt offerings, etc so shouldn't I give the same benefit I would like for myself to other parents even if I don't agree with their religion or choices? If a specific religiion can be encouraged in a school academic type setting everyone should be given the same opportunities even if they are the minoirty. For example, I don't have a problem with prayer, but what if after the prayer religious chants were also made? The tables can always be turned. If rules can be stretched in one way they can also be stretched in another direction that might not be to our liking so much. If a christian faith based preacher can be a chaplain then what is to stop any other faiths from being a chaplain? Also, from what I remember from history our forefathers founded this country so that they could exercise whatever religion they want to freely right? So if you and I say a christian faith based religion is the one of choice even maybe by the majority and pick a christian faith based chaplain for a public school football team does that not impose on every player the same particular faith and therefore by imposing on every player take away their right to exercise religion freely?
Posted by kwsrgraves (anonymous) on November 3, 2009 at 2:31 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Chiltontransplant, do you HONESTLY believe there are NO muslim, buddhist, or athiest athletes in Chilton County Schools. And you would prefer to trample on their right to religious freedom because you think your denomination is superior? That's a sad commentary to being a christian if you ask me. I am a christian. Made that profession of faith in 1978. I don't subscribe to other faiths, but I served my country so that EVERYONE could be free and free to choose how they live. And you can bet a dime to a dollar, if one religious denomination is declined by a coach, or school body, then you might not have a holy war in Chilton County, but you dang sure will have a lawsuit. And that precedent has been set.
I believe this is a good thing to have for these kids. But don't start chest thumping like the pharisees of old. If you are "worried" about other religions, then you have no faith in God. Therefore you are saying HE is useless to believe in. Be careful what you wish for, it may be EXACTLY what you get.
Posted by speakingup (anonymous) on November 3, 2009 at 4:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)
i think this just goes to show that there is someone who will always have something to complain about
me... i'm going to pray for these guys maybe some of these kids might actually have some life changing experiences and they might even take it home to their families. who knows... maybe "my2cents" might even get saved! LOL
Posted by my2cents (anonymous) on November 3, 2009 at 4:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)
speakinup, actually I don't believe any man or woman can tell me whether I am saved or not. I believe that comes from a higher source of power. First of all, I believe in the Bible completely and put God first in my life. That is the same God that Able, Abraham, Noah, and Moses put first. Secondly, I put the constitution and I appreciate the benefits it allows me to exercise my religion freely. So I believe in both. I find it funny that many people are willing to boldly declare, pledge, sing and decorate themselves and their homes proclaiming their dedication and patriotism to this country, yet so unwilling to uphold it's Constitution at it's most basic level.
Posted by countyresident (anonymous) on November 3, 2009 at 4:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)
My2cents, you intrigue me. I have to say that I agree with you. If my children were in a school where the majority were non-christian, I wouldn't want those beliefs force-fed to them on a daily or weekly basis. I encourage my kids to know the basic beliefs of many religions, but I also challenge them to compare those beliefs with what the Bible teahces so that they can use the Bible to defend their own christian faith.
Posted by tipsey (anonymous) on November 3, 2009 at 6:27 p.m.
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
Posted by my2cents (anonymous) on November 3, 2009 at 9:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)
countyresident, thank you, but I only mean to get people to think and reason on the matter themselves. Sometimes we as a society readily accept whatever we are given without question. It never hurts to walk in someone else's shoes. I for one, greatly appreciate freedom of religion. Thank you for getting the point that I was trying to make.
Posted by lar (anonymous) on November 3, 2009 at 9:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I would that every school had a good Christian chaplain regardless of what my2cents says. So many of our children have nobody to give them good solid direction. After all our country was founded on Christian principals. We have strayed away from these principals and look at the shape our country is in now - it's in a mess.
Posted by speakingup (anonymous) on November 4, 2009 at 6:57 a.m. (Suggest removal)
ah c'mon on i was only joking with you! geez!
Posted by my2cents (anonymous) on November 4, 2009 at 8:28 a.m. (Suggest removal)
No hard feelings at all speakingup. Have a great day!
Posted by chiltontransplant (anonymous) on November 4, 2009 at 11:51 a.m. (Suggest removal)
kw.....Maybe you should take off the safety glasses and read my post again because I have no idea what you are even referring to when you address me. Chest thumping, promoting my denomination, naive to other faiths, worried about other faiths?? You get all of this from my post? And I didn't even know you had access to type words on my keyboard.
Posted by gnpty (anonymous) on November 4, 2009 at 1:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Christian chaplains for the atheletes, please don't stop there. Let's get prayer back in schools, God back in this country. This nation was founded on Christian beliefs and principals, not religious beliefs and principals - there is a difference. Christians are not called to be tolerate of other pagan religions. We are to win souls for Christ whenever and wherever we can do so.
Posted by kwsrgraves (anonymous) on November 4, 2009 at 6:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)
"If at any time a team in our county requests an atheist, buddhist, Muslim, etc., etc.,. then we all have more to worry about than a volunteer who wants to encourage kids."--Posted by chiltontransplant (anonymous) on November 3, 2009 at 12:37 p.m.
I'd say that sums it up. Your words, not mine.
Posted by my2cents (anonymous) on November 4, 2009 at 7:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)
gnpty - perhaps you might consider doing a little research on the founding of this great country. Our founding fathers were seeking relief from religous opression. You see in Europe rellgion was imposed. Our founding fathers believed that all people of all religions were equal under God and thereby deserved the same respect. You may be interested in that many of them were Deists which is believing in some form of impersonal supreme being but rejecting the idea of that supreme being intervening with human affairs such as making revelations (ie:the Bible or even Jesus) Also I learned that George Washington never declared himself to be a Christian and even to the disappointment of many invited a chaplain for the military who was a Universalist. What is a Universalist? Well from my research it's a person who believes what you or I may call God as actually being what anyone else calls religion no matter what religion they are. (including Christian and NON Christian denominations) and that they are all acceptable forms of worship by God whoever you might think him to be. Here is a quote from James Madison you may be interested in "During almost fifteen centuries has the legal establishment of Christianity been on trial. What have been its fruits? More or less in all places, pride and indolence in the Clergy, ignorance and servility in the laity, in both, superstition, bigotry and persecution." Or perhaps this from the encyclopedia will prove my point "One of the embarrassing problems for the early nineteenth-century champions of the Christian faith was that not one of the first six Presidents of the United States was an orthodox Christian." The Encyclopedia Brittanica, 1968 Edition, p. 420
Posted by my2cents (anonymous) on November 4, 2009 at 8 p.m. (Suggest removal)
chiltontransplant, I think what KW is expressing is that your comment, the one KW specifically quotes, implies that you feel your religion is superior to that of anyone else's and therefore warrants the ability to overide and disrespect that of any other. When one meditates and researches on Christ like thinking, would it be the same as yours? Perhaps though we misinterpreted your comment.
Posted by gnpty (anonymous) on November 4, 2009 at 8:15 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Henry Wilson, Dec 23, 1866 (US Senator & VP) "Remember ever, and always, that your country was founded, not by the "most superficial, the lightest, the most irreflective of all European races," but by the stern old Puritans who made the deck of the Mayflower an altar of the living God, and whose fist act on touching the soil of the new world was to offer on bended knees thanksgiving to Almighty God."
President Woodrow Wilson, 1911 "The Bible is the one supreme source of revelation of the meaning of life, the nature of God and spiritual nature and needs of men. It is the only guide of life which really leads the spirit in the way of peace and salvation. America was born a Christian nation. America was born to exemplify that devotion to the elements of righteousness which are derived from the revelations of Holy Scripture."
Posted by gnpty (anonymous) on November 4, 2009 at 8:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)
George Washington, July 2, 1776 "The fate of unborn millions will now depend, under God, on the courage and conduct of this army."
Abraham Lincoln, Gettysburg "We here highly resolved that these dead shall not have died in vain; that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom ..."
Posted by gnpty (anonymous) on November 4, 2009 at 8:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)
George Washinton "It is impossible to rightly govern the world wothout God and the Bible."
Benjamin Franklin "The longer I live, the more proofs I see of the truth - that God governs in the affairs of Men ... without His aid, we shall succed in this political building no better than the builders of Babel."
Posted by kwsrgraves (anonymous) on November 4, 2009 at 8:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)
And which president was Ben Franklin, gnpty? What was the significance of his "presidency"?
Posted by my2cents (anonymous) on November 4, 2009 at 8:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Thomas Paine "Of all the systems of religion that ever were invented, there is no more derogatory to the Almighty, more unedifying to man, more repugnant to reason, and more contradictory to itself than this thing called Christianity."
John Adams ""Twenty times in the course of my late reading, have I been upon the point of breaking out. This would be the best of all possible worlds, if there were no religion in it!"
Thomas Jefferson "The day will come when the mystical generation of Jesus, by the supreme being as his father in the womb of a virgin, will be classed with the fable of the generation of Minerva in the brain of Jupiter."
Posted by gnpty (anonymous) on November 4, 2009 at 9 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Benjamin Franklin wasn't a president. He was however part of the Constitutional Convention. He requested that each day of the Convention be started with prayer.
Posted by my2cents (anonymous) on November 4, 2009 at 9:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)
James Madison "Religious bondage shackles and debilitates the mind and unfits it for every noble enterprise."
Benjamin Franklin "As to Jesus of Nazareth, my Opinion of whom you particularly desire, I think the System of Morals and his Religion...has received various corrupting changes, and I have, with most of the present dissenters in England, some doubts as to his Divinity; tho' it is a question I do not dogmatize upon, having never studied it, and think it needless to busy myself with it now, when I expect soon an opportunity of knowing the Truth with less trouble."
Posted by my2cents (anonymous) on November 4, 2009 at 9:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)
It is also interesting to note that the "Pledge of Allegiance" was written in 1892 and read "I pledge allegiance to my Flag and [to] the Republic for which it stands, one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all." In 1954 these words were added Co "under God"
Posted by gnpty (anonymous) on November 4, 2009 at 9:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)
As Franklin said, "the longer I live ... I see the truths"
Posted by my2cents (anonymous) on November 4, 2009 at 9:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)
sorry I messed up my last comment in the end I ment to say that in 1954 these words were added by Congress "under God"
Posted by gnpty (anonymous) on November 4, 2009 at 9:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Yes, you are correct. Why now do some want that taken out of the pledge, and off the dollar? Why were the 10 commandments removed from the courtrooms and prayer from schools? Is it because we have become tolerant of all religions. Scripture teaches that we are to hold fast to what we know is the truth. God builds kings & kingdoms, and destroys kings and kingdoms. As a country, we have turned from God as Israel did. Psalm 103:9 "He will not always strive with us ..."
Posted by my2cents (anonymous) on November 4, 2009 at 9:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I am not denying that many of the principles of our country were derived from basic Christian principles and yes some of the early founding fathers may have even professed to be Christians. But my point is they were very focused on freedom to express one's own religion and not be oppressed by religion. The word "Freedom" comes to my mind when you think of this country's founding fathers. Would not that also certainly include religious freedom? And if one starts dictating or imposing religion of any certain kind among a government supported system doesn't that directly violate the constitution?
Posted by my2cents (anonymous) on November 4, 2009 at 9:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Our own personal preference may be that this will do the students good, but is it constituional? Isn't it our responsibility to uphold the constituion which says that no religion will be imposed on anyone?
Posted by gnpty (anonymous) on November 4, 2009 at 9:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Yes, I believe in freedom and I agree that our nation is founded on that principle. I am not and do not profess to be an expect on constitutional law. I am however a Christian and believe that the successes that we have enjoyed are God given - to a large extent because of our relationship with the Jews and Israel (see Gen 12:3) and our committment to missionaries. Look at the decline of our nation and where we stand as a nation in relation to God. We must, as a nation, get God back. As George Washington said, it is impossible to govern without God and the Bible.
Posted by my2cents (anonymous) on November 4, 2009 at 9:41 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Well ...historically speaking imposing religion seems to have a bad effect. Here is what Justice Hugo Black (of Alabama said "a union of government and religion tends to destroy government and to degrade religion..." Basically I gather that is one thing the founding fathers wanted to make sure didn't happen. Think about Hitler, he tried to impose religion and look at what tragedy happened. You see everyone who has a strong religious faith whatever it may be believes with deap heartfelt conviction that their religious choices are the right ones and if each person tried to impose what their choices were can you imagine the violence and disruption that would outbreak? As Christians, would we want to encourage violence and disruption or instead promote peace? Now when I say impose I don't mean simply sharing your belief with those who would like to listen , I meam imposing.
Posted by gnpty (anonymous) on November 4, 2009 at 9:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)
As a Christian, it is my duty to stand up for God and my savior Jesus Christ. Scripture also tells us to submit to the governing authority. All I can really do is pray about it, which I do. God is in control. With that, I will say "grace and peace to you." Good night and God bless.
Posted by my2cents (anonymous) on November 4, 2009 at 9:50 p.m. (Suggest removal)
So do you think that God does not bless those in other countries who are having the same problems we are but have less religious diversity? I agree that I have no idea what hand God has played in the development or founding of our country and I too certainly am no expert in constitutional law. Something else I thought about was too even among so called Christain denominations you have so many dfiferent variations on beliefs. If our country were to impose a Christian denomination it may not necessarily be one to our approval. As a Christain, one reason I believe we are having so much turmoil is because we are living in what the Bible describes as "The Last Days" in which the Devil is trying to do everything he can before he has no more time. (2nd Timothy 3:1) Gnpty: I enjoyed our discussion but now I must go to sleep! Have a restful night.
Posted by kwsrgraves (anonymous) on November 4, 2009 at 10:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Funny EVERY generation since Christ's ascent back into heaven, has "professed" or believed to be in the last days. And the thousand years of Satan being allowed to actually have control over Earth haven't even begun.
As for the Ben Franklin joke, you would be surprised at how many people believe he was a POTUS!
Posted by gnpty (anonymous) on November 4, 2009 at 10:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)
kw, explain more about Satan's 1000 year rule of the earth.
Posted by countyresident (anonymous) on November 5, 2009 at 9:40 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Satan has been influencing the earth much longer than 1000 years! 1 John 5:19. kw....I have to ask where you get that Satan will rule for 1000 years....and Christians have known that there would be last days soon (who knows about God's time? his soon may be thousands of years). but in Matthew 24:3-14 explains what the conditions will be like in the last days and when you compare that with what's going on now.....it's pretty clear.
Posted by gnpty (anonymous) on November 5, 2009 at 10:19 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Exactly right countyresident. Satan is the ruler of the world (John 12:31). Rev 20 - Satan will be bound and Jesus will reign for 1000 years with the saints. Satan will then be released, defeated, come before the great white throne, and cast into the lake of fire.
Posted by countyresident (anonymous) on November 5, 2009 at 10:57 a.m. (Suggest removal)
but KW....we forgive ya..we all make mistakes! lol
Posted by my2cents (anonymous) on November 5, 2009 at 12:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)
KW, did a little research about the signs of the last days. The following info are estimates. Did you know that in the 20th century over 100,000,000 deaths attributed to wars and that 100,000,000 number is over four times as many as the previous 400 years alltogether? The deadliest Tsunami in history was in 2004 and killed approx. more than 229,866 persons. The deadliest natural disaster happened in 1931 the China Floods which killed an estimated 1,000,000 to 4,000,000 people. The deadliest tornado was in 1989 called the The Saturia-Manikganj Sadar Tornado in Bangladesh killed 1,300. The deadliest contractible disease was in the 20th Century alone and killed approx. 300,000,000 people. The deadliest famine was the Great Chinese of 1958 thru 1961 and killed approx. 4,900,000 to 43,000,000 persons. All down thru history we find wars, famines, natural disasters, but do we find it on this large of scale as we have experienced in the past 100 years? One could possibly attribute the growing world population to the problem, but that wouldn't explain the increase in natural disasters such as Katrina and the Tsunami.
Posted by gnpty (anonymous) on November 5, 2009 at 1:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Additionally, my2cents, until 1948 when Israel was established and recoginized as a nation, prophesy had not been fullfilled. But since that date, all prophesy has been fullfiled leading up to the rapture, tribulation, and the second coming.
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