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Well over 200 high school football players joined us at Raymond James Stadium for this year's kick-off event. Players enjoyed a chicken or burger meal and investigated "the ship" in Bucaneer Cove. Prior to the program starting, youth pastors Kelly Knouse (Idlewild Baptist Church) and JJ Johnson (Indian Rocks Baptist Church) challenged the players with quiz questions and awarded the correct answers with prizes ranging from t-shirts and hats to tickets to a Rays game. During the program, Buccaneers Bryan Clark (Chamberlain grad) and Luke McCown shared their personal football journey through being recruited for college, playing in college and now playing for the Buccaneers. Then they shared how Christ carried them through and what it means to be a Christian in today's sports world. Pastor Jeff Singletary brought the program to a close by challenging the players to walk with Christ as these examples had walked with Christ in charge of their lives. Pastor Jeff encouraged the players making a decision for Christ to meet with the counseslors waiting for them by the ship. After the decision cards were collected for the evening we knew of 185 players that committed to play drug-free; 74 indicated a salvation decision and 123 indicated a renewed commitment to follow the walk Christ would have them walk. An exciting evening that God has used to change the lives of 200+ athletes in Tampa Bay. |
