Golfing in July

Monday, July 26 was the date of the 8th Annual Greg Arends Memorial FCA Golf Outing. Although July has been a warm and humid month, the weather was wonderful for a late July afternoon. Over 70 golfers were able to participate in the golf scramble, and by all accounts...a good time was had by all.

Earlier this summer I wrote an email that captures my feelings and vision about this annual event.

"... since 2003 (The first golf outing was held just months after Greg's death) we have been able to raise enough funds to have sent 50 students to FCA camps these past 7 years. Greg went to FCA Leadership Camp the summer of 2001 and was really impacted by that week at camp. Our desire is to invest in the lives of high school students by providing a means to equip student leaders (at FCA Camps) to return to school and continue the ministry of FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes) within the public school.

As you can imagine...it is not an easy day for many reasons, and when it seems to be just too difficult or painful to keep on with the effort, I only need listen to the young people who share at the banquet at the end of the day about their camping experiences. It is a true blessing to get a glimpse at the larger purpose of Greg's ongoing impact in the lives of these young people. We continue to lean into the promise of Romans 8:28...knowing that while our perspective is limited and our vision dim...God sees and knows and continues to work out His perfect will."

Indeed, the very best part of the day was hearing the stories from 2 students about their experiences at camp earlier this month. One student was challenged about the concept of teamwork and how that applied not only in sports but in life. The other student shared that it was that week of camp that she was invited to consider what a relationship with Jesus was all about - and the fruit that her decision to follow Him has already yielded in her young life.

It was an wonderful day, with some amazing golf shots, fun on the course, and celebration of lives impacted by the ministry of FCA.