ABILENE - Colorful pastel post-it notes decorate the mirror in
Jacey Ferrara's bedroom, and as the junior Abilene Christian soccer player looks into it each morning she can transform her mindset as easily as her appearance.
Jotted across the pieces of paper are bible verses that both inspire and serve Ferrara as a constant reminder to keep her eyes on Jesus. And when Ferrara is focused on the Son of God she becomes so much, "aware of his power, his ability to save, (and) his ability to transform."
Jesus is and is in everything to Ferrara. She even
blogged that she wants to be like Him. Because to her, Jesus is an ultimate role model, and Ferrara so much desires to do his will, that she decided earlier this year to make what she considers one of her biggest leaps of faith. A leap that landed her just north of Philadelphia with the
BuxMont Torch Football Club.
According to its web site, the BuxMont Torch is a sport ministry that utilizes soccer as a means to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ and to disciple and train sports ministers. The Torch's mission is to, "use the platform of sport in a way that reflects the call of God to be holy, the mission of Jesus to save the lost, and the filling of the Holy Spirit to accomplish God's will."
The Torch also competes at the highest possible amateur level, affiliating themselves with both the Women's and National Premier Soccer Leagues as well as the United States Adult Soccer Association.
Ferrara first was introduced to the Torch via a phone call with their president and general manager Rich Sparling, who previously worked for Baseball Chapel as its director of Latino Ministries. Sparling also serves the Philadelphia Phillies as a team chaplain, and has missionary experience in the Dominican Republic where he planted two churches using a sport ministry strategy.
As Ferrara spoke to Sparling about the club and its mission, she quickly determined that the opportunity was one she "couldn't possibly pass up" because it combined the two things she's most passionate about, soccer and serving Jesus Christ.
"I have a great love for soccer, and it's been great for me to learn how to use it and other sports as a ministry," said Ferrara, who delivered the Wildcats into the 2011 NCAA quarterfinals with a golden goal vs. Midwestern State. "And so far, one of the greatest lessons I've learned is that even if we lose, the greatest victory has already been won."
Handshakes and high fives accompanied by the generic sportsmanship banter of 'good game' have long been hallmarks of the traditional postgame ritual, but Ferrara and her Torch teammates take it several steps further. They just don't want to simply talk to their opponents, they want to engage them in a conversation. A conversation about Jesus, and the needs of their hearts. They want to pray with and for them, and then afterward, perhaps continue the dialogue over a plate of Chik-Fil-A sandwiches or Chipotle burritos.
An even more remarkable aspect of this ministry's dedication to gamesmanship is that all Torch players pray and pen notes of encouragement for a player on the opposite side throughout the week leading up to the match. And even if opponents don't wish to participate in the prayer and fellowship, they're still presented
a gift bracelet that symbolizes Jesus' birth, death, resurrection, ascension, and second coming.
Ferrara admitted she was a little nervous and intimidated by the process at first, but has since overcome those fears.
"I just had to convince myself that I can do the same as my teammates," she said. "We have lots of meetings where the primary message is to share the love, and have our opponents understand that they too are loved. This is what we're all called to do, and I think what's most special is that if someone's heart is open then they can have their lives saved in less than a minute."
The Torch not only cares for their opposition, but they also serve their younger fans through various soccer clinics and camps, and make routine visits to elementary schools during lunch and recess breaks. The players are also requested to attend church, team bible studies and dinners.
Ferrara wrote a week prior to her departure that she's "not very good with change," but in the weeks following her move east she found herself "at peace with this decision" even though she'd never been more than a half day's drive away from her family and friends in Austin, Texas. She also had never gone more than three weeks without seeing her parents.
But there in Pennsylvania, however, to help Ferrara in this time of transition is her host family, the Millhan's, who she deems, "incredible."
"I've been so impressed with them and their two children," Ferrara said. "They have completely opened up their home up to me and my teammates with an attitude of everything belonging to God. I'm in awe of their generosity."
With a solid support system in place and an unbreakable faith in Jesus, Ferrara's been able to conquer a portion of her anxieties. And while she's excited about the possibility of coming back with some of her ACU teammates to play for the Torch in 2013, she also realizes the importance of remaining in the present.
"Focusing on the future, or even the past, takes away from the present," Ferrara typed on her blog. "It takes away from God's will for you today ... God has perfectly equipped us with the tools for today, and He is not expecting anything of you that He hasn't already equipped us for."
Focused on God. Focused on the present. Ferrara and the Torch are proof that all things can be done through Christ.
