Men on the Field

Football is a one-of-a-kind sport. For the men on the field, there’s no other sport they love more. For many, there’s no other place that teaches them more about brotherhood than the football field.

Javan Shashaty walked on the field one Friday night, and he felt good. The former Calvary Christian Academy quarterback was a bit older, perhaps a bit wiser, but being on the field made him feel 15 again. Back then, this is where God brought him, and this is where he met God. And now, he brought 210 high school football players from all over Broward County to Calvary Chapel Fort Lauderdale’s playing fields to meet God.

From the start of the mini football camp, it was clear these young men loved their sport. Though they were from totally different backgrounds, Shashaty was morphing them into becoming brothers, putting differences aside and reaching one common goal.

After the game, Shashaty asked the guys to sit in a circle. He grabbed a football and squeezed it firmly as he accentuated these words to them: “God has given you gifts. He’s given you a story and an amazing plan and purpose. The church is here; the school is here. Through this church, I fell in love with Jesus, and through this school, I fell in love with football. And it’s cool how God has brought those two things together in my life.”

As Calvary’s High School Ministry Leader, Shashaty is well versed in God’s Word as much as he is with lineman penalties, holding calls, and offensive pass interference lingo. So, he shared the Gospel of Jesus Christ in a way the boys would understand. He told them not only how much God loved them and how He has a purpose and a plan for their lives, but a place where they can belong, too. In the end, 85 tough guys who love to play football formed a great line as they raised their hands and made a decision to accept Jesus into their hearts.

God has made each of us with unique gifts and talents. And because we are created in Christ Jesus to do good works, we are to use our gifts to bring others to Him. Do you know the purpose of your gifts and talents? Get in the story to find out! Visit CalvaryFTL.org/Volunteer.