I grew up in the small town of Americus, Georgia. It was instilled in me early in life that where you are should not determine where you end up. For many youth today, making it to the age of 18 is a major accomplishment. Social complacency and dysfunctional families, in many cases, significantly reduces the chances of our youth escaping their social and economic environments. However, I truly believe that where I am should not define who I am. Over time it becomes very clear why we should be in this world but not of this world. I had somewhat of a dysfunctional upbringing; I never attended any school for more than two years. From the time I was five years old until I graduated High School I lived between 3 different cities, with different
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This opportunity has allowed me to help mold and shape many lives. I have been blessed to help young people, especially young black males, seek God’s purpose for their lives. Mentoring and molding young men was a challenge I gladly accepted. However, for a while I was not affective in reaching them due to my looking at their outward appearance rather than having a heavenly perspective of their heart. I failed to look beyond their faults and see their needs. Once I realized the work of coaching was about so much more than wins and losses, I began to see the fruits of my labor. Many coaches only see the kids when they are on the field or court, but give no thought to what happens when practice is over, no thought to where they sleep at night, will they eat when they get home. Understanding what it is like to need someone, especially a black male, you can talk to and to know they truly care about you is priceless. Coaching provides the greatest opportunity to foster relationships that can help guide today’s youth through the many dangers, toils and snares this world will bring their way.
In all of my years of coaching there is one young man that stands out more than the rest. I believe it was by divine assignment that our paths crossed. This young man was labeled as the one who would end up dead or in jail. My wife and I prayed and felt the need to invest in his life. There were good days and bad days, good decisions and bad decisions. One day a dad decision caused him to be incarcerated for a length of time. However, by the grace of God, he is now working, taking care of his fatherly responsibilities, and studying for his
This opportunity has allowed me to help mold and shape many lives. I have been blessed to help young people, especially young black males, seek God’s purpose for their lives. Mentoring and molding young men was a challenge I gladly accepted. However, for a while I was not affective in reaching them due to my looking at their outward appearance rather than having a heavenly perspective of their heart. I failed to look beyond their faults and see their needs. Once I realized the work of coaching was about so much more than wins and losses, I began to see the fruits of my labor. Many coaches only see the kids when they are on the field or court, but give no thought to what happens when practice is over, no thought to where they sleep at night, will they eat when they get home. Understanding what it is like to need someone, especially a black male, you can talk to and to know they truly care about you is priceless. Coaching provides the greatest opportunity to foster relationships that can help guide today’s youth through the many dangers, toils and snares this world will bring their way.
In all of my years of coaching there is one young man that stands out more than the rest. I believe it was by divine assignment that our paths crossed. This young man was labeled as the one who would end up dead or in jail. My wife and I prayed and felt the need to invest in his life. There were good days and bad days, good decisions and bad decisions. One day a dad decision caused him to be incarcerated for a length of time. However, by the grace of God, he is now working, taking care of his fatherly responsibilities, and studying for his