A Life Worth Following

I would like to pass on a very big THANK YOU to Coach Tunnell, Coach V, and Coach Savedra for allowing Chase Roten and Justin “Murph” Murphy to attend Falls Creek with their home church, FBC Washington.  It was an amazing week and you would’ve been extremely proud of both of your boys. 

Chase had the opportunity to be a sponsor and “family” leader for the first time.  It was amazing to watch as all the high school and junior high boys hung on his every word.  It was also great to see him in one-on-one ministry situations when boys would pull him to the side for counsel or just a prayer.  I’ve know Chase now for a few years and I’ve told him more than once that God has got big plans for him.  I don’t always think he sees that in himself, but it is there.  I know that his experience in the past few months with the Ambassadors and ALWF has made him comfortable being bold.  Chase has been a pretty soft spoken, kind of “behind the scenes” person for most of the time I’ve known him.  He was a great leader in our youth group, just not a vocal one.  This year, I saw a boldness to be able to speak, pray, and answer some tough questions when they were brought to him. 

Murph is a prized jewel for our youth group.  God worked in and on him in some pretty great ways this week.  I think you will be getting back a Grad Asst that will be a little different after this week.  Murph stood and shared his faith and talked about his faith and experiences several times this week.  God seemed to solidify his calling to help others that have autism.  God also laid on his heart some really tough challenges about sharing his faith with some family and friends.  I think the Ambassadors and the experiences that you and God have allowed him to experience in the last couple of months have helped him out more than you could ever imagine.  I know the depth in which we were able to talk about the spiritual things that God was teaching him was not necessarily there a few months ago.  This goes to show you the growth that has happened in his life.  I definitely praise God for that!!

On Wednesday, June 25^th, I gave Chase and Murph the opportunity to share their experiences and their calling to be apart of the Ambassadors.  They did an excellent job telling about Justin’s story, the Ambassador’s story, and their own personal experiences this summer.  It really spoke to most of our students.  For Chase, this was his first real chance to step out and teach a lesson about God’s strength and power.  He led the talk for about 40 minutes using scriptures, personal experience, and the purpose of ALWF and the Ambassadors.  It was a perfect mix and he really let God speak through him.  For Murph, this was exciting and very tough.  It is always a little harder to speak to your peers, but Murph did an excellent job. 

I am so proud of these to young men, and you should be also.  Anytime you can put Chase in a leadership role, I would highly recommend it.  He will not let you down.  Please keep teaching and helping God grow Murph.  He’s an amazing guy that has overcome some stuff in his life and is in the process of learning a lot and having some life changing experiences.

We (myself and my youth group) will keep the Ambassadors in our prayers.  I think it is incredible what God has allowed you to do already and that the players have been willing to do for their faith.  I know this is just the start and that is so exciting.  I pray for God’s blessings on the whole team and all of those that have sponsored you with money and prayers.  I hope you can keep winning games and hearts for God.  It’s an amazing opportunity!

God Bless,

Miles Gordon

Youth Minister

FBC Washington, OK.