Diversity in your Community

READY

“He executes justice for the fatherless and the widow, and loves the resident alien, giving him food and clothing. You are also to love the resident alien since you were resident aliens in the land of Egypt.”—Deuteronomy 10:18-19

SET

Coaches and athletes have enormous influence in the communities they live in and beyond. You only need to google Damar Hamlin of the Buffalo Bills to see how the local and global community rallied around him during his medical crisis on the football field in 2022. In the same way, coaches and athletes have a grand opportunity to live a life of significance for Jesus by sharing the Good News and engaging with those around them.

What does that engagement look like in your greater community? As a coach or athlete, are you seeking opportunities to engage with men and women from different ethnic or racial backgrounds? During the days of the Israelites, widows, orphans, and foreigners were the social groups of people who faced insecurities for basic life needs and protection. In our culture today, we still have orphans, widows, and foreigners living among us with the same basic needs. There are many who feel unseen, unloved, unprotected, and unprovided for. Scripture reveals to us how much God cares for those in need.

So, what about us? As a coach or an athlete, how can you expand your sphere of influence and seek out others in need who do not look like you, dress like you, talk like you, or live in your neighborhood, but live in your community? What can you do this week in terms of reaching out, engaging, and celebrating those in need, driven from a perspective of increasing diverse opportunities in your community that deliver hope to those in need?

Seeking Others:

1. Partner with a multicultural church, seeking new friendships and opportunities to minister to those identified as being in need (what diverse people group is dominant in your area?).
2. Volunteer at a camp or coach a club team for urban kids.
3. Provide financial support to one child in need to play on his or her local sports team.
4. Intentionally support or collaborate with a coach of the opposite gender in your area.

Celebrate Others:

1. Minister to that child by sharing the Gospel and celebrating small wins as they move forward in faith.
2. Organize a gathering with food, fun, and activities in the neighborhood to build relationships with those in your community you are unfamiliar with.
3. Intentionally set aside a few hours weekly to get to know local pastors to support them in ministry and community initiatives.
4. Listen to and learn from others who have different life experiences than you for the purpose of growing and understanding the life journeys of others.

GO

· Reflect on what opportunities are available in your community to minister in diverse spaces.

· Who can you call to gain insight on how to minister to those in your community who are in need?

· Who will you enlist to help you meet the needs of those diverse people groups around you? What coach or athlete can provide the support you need?

WORKOUT

John 13:34

Proverbs 3:28

1 Thessalonians 5:11

2 Corinthians 9:8 (NLT)

OVERTIME

Abba, Father, in Your abounding love tune my heart to love as You love all whom You have created. Help me to look for opportunities to expand my reach in areas that represent diversity and celebrate those experiences. Expand my sphere of influence to take the Gospel in diverse places and spaces. Bless the work of my hands, Lord God, to build community within diverse areas of need and glorify You in the process. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Author Bio:

Darlene Johnson is on the FCA Board of Trustees and most recently served as its Board Chair. She currently resides in Maryland with her husband, Craig, who previously coached for the New York Giants. Currently, he is the associate head coach and running backs coach for the Indiana Hoosiers. They have two adult children, Shelby and Sydney.