Posted by : ENCUnited
Sunday, July 1, 2012
We
support the mission of the team regardless of our circumstances
7/1/2012
During our
time in Zambia with Chip, Isaac and Josh, we had the privilege of working with
the staff of the Jubilee Center and Pastor Temfwe. There was no way we could not be changed after
meeting everyone at Jubilee Center. Pastor Lawrence Temfwe gave this devotion
to Jubilee Centre staff just after Zambia won the Africa Nations Cup.
“Today millions of Zambians will welcome the victorious national soccer team
from Gabon. Together, the entire nation will offer a resounding and a united
salute to the national flag as we proudly sing “Stand and sing of Zambia…”
under which the 24 citizens played in the African Cup of Nations-and won the
AFCON Cup. This generation of champions has turned around the fortunes of
Zambia. We are not victims, underdogs or losers. We are victors, heroes and
winners. This team has earned Zambia respect in the soccer world and has caused
many to take a second look at their world map. These ordinary but courageous
and spirited young men have given us a legacy which future generations will be
inspired to emulate. At a time when too many of our institutions run by Zambians
have let us down, the winning of the African Cup is a testimony that when
people are daring, self-sacrificing and work as a team they do achieve much. We
must also thank the coach and the board of Football Association of Zambia (FAZ)
for helping the team work together to stay focused on the mission at hand.As I consider this achievement, I am reminded of the Zambian national team that perished on the shores of Libreville where the Africa Cup final took place. It is easy for those who do not know Christ to credit this victory to the spirits of our compatriots who died in that fateful plane crash in 1993. To do this is to miss a wonderful opportunity to learn lessons of endurance, perseverance, discipline and hard work from this humble team.
John Wesley said, “Give me a hundred men who fear nothing but sin, and desire nothing but God, and I will shake the world. I care not a straw whether they be clergymen or laymen; and such alone will overthrow the kingdom of Satan and build up the kingdom of God on earth.” As Wesley states God work is not for those who are wise according to worldly standard but those who are committed to His purpose and devoted to His work. Co-workers, what we have here at Jubilee Centre is a team of men and women who are coming alongside church leaders encouraging them to yearn for communities, cities and nation that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God (Hebrews 11:13). Our success is not going to come because of our wisdom but because of God’s transforming us into his people in spite of our common pedigree. Our status excludes us all boasting in heritage, achievement, or membership in a particular church.
As we celebrate this victory let us put into practice the lessons we have learned from it. They were underdogs, but they worked hard and it paid off. Paul tells us, “But God chose the foolish things of this world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. He chose the lowly things of the world and the despised things-and the things that are not-to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him… “Therefore, as it is written: Let him who boasts boast in the Lord.” (1Cor.1:27-31). May this victory inspire us to grow in our faithfulness to Jesus.”
After the 2008 season, the coaching staff determined that the men’s soccer program needed to make a lot of big changes. Guys were selfish and never really bought in to mission of the team both on and off the field. I have to say that there were not too many positive things to say about that team or that period of time in the program' history. We had some quality men like Dave DeBoer, Matt Kunnen, Zac Toslma and Isaac Grotenhuis but they needed a lot more help if we were going to really change things. Seniors, you are that change. The last 3 years, you have worked hard to turn things round. It has not been an easy process but it is a process where I see players who support the mission of the team and as a result set some new standards. As we prepare for the 2012 season, what kind of story are we going to write? Will it be about victims, underdogs, losers or a story about heroes, victors and winners? I do know this, I do not want the story for this team to be about scores, records or even championships instead I want the story for the 2012 team to be a testimony to “when people are daring, self-sacrificing and work as a team they do achieve much “ Thanks Pastor Temfwe
Coach Bell