Despite torrential rains that drenched the campus, hundreds of high school kids converged on Charleston Southern University for a football camp.
Jon Davis, pastor of Summit Church, leads a worship service for ball players at the CSU camp.In July, hundreds of thousands of youth are doing the same thing all around the country – almost. The drills, the sweat, the tired legs and gallons of Gatorade are all similar to what you will find all across the United States, but one major difference does stand out. So what was it that made more than 500 athletes choose to come to CSU?
This camp is part of the “Game Ready” Fellowship of Christian Athletes program. FCA leaders created the camps based on Ephesians 6:11, which reads, “Put on the full armor of God so that you can stand against the tactics of the devil.” The camps are designed to allow athletes to learn tactics of their own that they can use on the field as well as in life.
Former FCA camp alumnus Shaun Alexander had this to say about FCA camps on the camp Web site: “FCA camp (in 1997) significantly altered my life … That camp was the beginning of my learning the meaning of accountability … I believe in FCA and what they want to accomplish.”
Coaches such as Bobby Bowden and Jim Tressel have also been heavily involved with FCA camps around the country. At Charleston Southern, Lowcountry native Ovie Mughelli took time out of his own camp to share his experiences with the campers.
“I can’t say enough about how God has impacted my life,” said the fullback for the Atlanta Falcons. “I grew up in church, and even though I slipped a little during college, FCA really helped me get back on track. I’ve been very blessed in life, and I would like to think that it was because I was faithful.”
All-American wideout Danny Buggs also spoke to the group, delivering a solid message that helped foster more than 175 decisions for Christ.
“I was one of the most miserable All-Americans that you will ever see,” he told the group. “I went to a rally, just like this one, and heard a study on John 3:16 and it changed my life. I look at you like young Danny Buggs, just wanting to hear the word and be challenged.”
FCA camps are in their 51st year of existence, but this is the first year that Charleston Southern has served as the host for the camp. As soon as talks came up, though, it appeared to be a perfect fit.
“It is certainly true that the two groups have the same mission,” said Emmett Morgan, the FCA’s Lowcountry area director. “It makes everything much easier when everyone on campus is in line with the mission, and the campers are surrounded by people who have a Christian outlook on life. A lot of coaches believe in the way we run our camps, and don’t even tell the players they are going to a Christian camp. It’s exciting getting someone like Danny Buggs to deliver a gospel message, and seeing how it changes the kids and brings the high school teams together.”
FCA and the CSU athletic department are both striving for the same goals. Both look to succeed on the field, motivating athletes to be the best they can be in their respective sports. Even more so, though, both are working diligently to instill biblical principles into each athlete to help them grow spiritually as well.
“I have been blessed to attend FCA camps for more than 30 years,” said athletic director Hank Small. “Because of that, it is a real privilege to host a camp at CSU. Certainly these kinds of events support the university’s mission and vision for our athletics program.”
On Sunday morning, all of the campers went back into the chapel to join Summit Church, which, led by Jon Davis, meets every week on campus to provide a close option for students and the surrounding community. Davis, a former player at Temple and former assistant coach at CSU, leads the Charleston Southern FCA group, which meets on Thursday evenings during the school year.
“Indeed, it was a ‘God thing’ for Summit Church and Pastor Jonathan Davis to provide the morning worship service for the camp this year,” said Rick Brewer, vice president for planning and student affairs. “Jon is not only a gifted speaker but he also is a former collegiate football player and coach who is effective in communicating to athletes the truth of the gospel.”