Editorial
Front Page - Friday, September 25, 2009
Regional FCA director to speak at senior men’s function
David Laprad
Senior Neighbors is inviting local residents over the age of 50 to attend its monthly men’s luncheon on Tuesday, September 29, at the Alexian Brothers Senior Neighbors building, located on the corner of 10th and Newby Streets in downtown Chattanooga. The meal will begin at noon. The speaker will be Jay Fowler, regional director of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.
Ginny Power founded Senior Neighbors, a ministry of Alexian Brothers, nearly 50 years ago. Michele Turner, marketing coordinator, says the program is designed to help seniors in the Chattanooga area “age gracefully.” To that end, the ministry provides vocational training, hosts social events and offers services meant to produce good mental, physical and spiritual health. Activities take place Monday through Friday at three centers in downtown Chattanooga and one in Soddy Daisy. Membership costs $25 a year.
“Any man age 50 or older is welcome to attend the luncheon,” says Turner. “A few women usually come, too. We typically have around 30 people.”
Born and raised in Chattanooga, Fowler is a graduate of West Point. After several years of active duty in the U.S. Army, Fowler worked in Jacksonville, Fla., then joined the FCA in Middle Tennessee. For the last six years, he’s served as the Southeast Tennessee regional director of the FCA.
Fowler plans to discuss the use of athletics to impact society for Christ.
“Some kids spend more time with their coaches than their parents, so coaches have an opportunity to impact young people all the way through college,” he says. “Like most athletes, I wanted to please my coaches, so they were able to influence me in significant ways.”
Fowler works with local coaches in his efforts to reach student athletes, teaching, for example, a weekly Bible study for the sports staff at McCallie.
“We want to help Christian coaches be more intentional in trying to point kids in the right direction,” he says. “We also want to reach out to coaches who don’t know Christ and share the gospel with them as we have the opportunity or at least build a relationship with them so that when things aren’t going well in their life, maybe they’ll look to a fellow coach who’s a believer for answers to the bigger questions in life,” says Fowler.
Fowler mentions pro football player Reggie White, who grew up in Chattanooga and died of heart failure in 2004, as an example of how the FCA can impact an athlete’s life.
“Reggie grew up in church and was highly involved in the FCA, so he was a great ambassador for our ministry throughout his career,” Fowler says. “We don’t know who in our community might be the next Reggie White, so we want to be faithful and teach young people to find their purpose in life through Christ.”
While Fowler loves sports — he played football, basketball and baseball at Tyner Academy in Chattanooga — he’s more passionate about using athletics as a means to share his faith.
“There are a number of high profile people in sports, like Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kurt Warner and New York Yankees pitcher Mariano Rivera, who are Christians and use their status as a sports hero to bring God glory,” Fowler says. “That’s exciting.”
Fowler wants to transfer what’s taking place on a national level to middle schools, high schools and colleges in the greater Chattanooga area. To do that, the FCA has a presence in 75 area schools, whether it’s a weekly “huddle” in which athletes gather together for prayer, an FCA member leading a weekly chapel for a sports team, or some other form of sports-minded ministry.
At the luncheon, Fowler will also share stories of his work, which frequently brings him in contact with well-known athletes.
“Tony Dungy spoke at one of our banquets. I got to sit at the head table with him,” he says, referring to the former pro football player and coach. “I felt like I was in the presence of true greatness because of his humility and the way he carried himself. We’d had more charismatic speakers, but he had a spirit about him. You could sense he was a committed believer and someone you’d want to emulate.”
With a playing field consisting of 11 counties, though, Fowler says the FCA needs help, so he’ll also be issuing a call for volunteers at the luncheon. “Some of the men attending might be connected in some way to a team, whether they’re a fan or they have a grandson on the roster. If they’re just as passionate about Christ, we have a place for them in our ministry,” Fowler says. “I’ll also be asking folks to pray for us.”
To attend the luncheon, RSVP to 423-755-6100. Tickets are $8 at the door.
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