CPO Outlook

These athletes describe how their faith relates to their sport. Sponsored by CPO Bookstore

CPO Outlook: Brenton Illum

FUNDAMENTAL

BELIEF

by Brenton Illum

It is great to be back in Springfield leading the Evangel Football program! I owe a lot of my personal development to the people of Evangel University who invested in me as a college student and planted the seeds in me that have grown me into what I am today. Rather than make this about football, please allow me to share a fundamental belief of mine in this note.

I’m very aware, as I hope you are, that God has gifted us all so much! When it comes to our talents, the bottom line for us as Christians is that God wants to USE them to influence those around us. As we look at our athletic arenas, our social circles, our families and our work places, I believe we will have a limited influence as Christian people unless we distinguish ourselves as the following:

1. SKILLED. The fact is that I am impressed with people who are good at what they do. If you want a platform of influence…be good at your job!

2. TRUSTWORTHY. Once someone loses my trust, it is nearly impossible to gain it back. I don’t think I am much different from the rest of the world in this regard. Anyone who you want to influence towards good in this world HAS to be able to trust you! Once you’ve undercut someone in your place of business, your team or your family, that ability to influence is gone.

3. HARD-WORKING. I can’t think of any lazy people in my life whose opinions I value. Period.

4. POSITIVE. We have a great life!! Since we know there is a God, we have a great advantage in every arena we are in. We know that He loves us and we know that He has a plan for our life! So go get it! We control how we handle what happens to us…if you want to be an ambassador for God with your talents, then we need to take a positive approach to the ups and downs of life.

Most of us aren’t professionals at sharing our faith verbally and honestly. Most people simply don’t want to hear it. But if we can demonstrate those 4 qualities above, I believe it is the BEST way to use the abilities that God has given us to influence our individual worlds for good and for God.

We are excited about a new chapter in Evangel Football. Please come out and see us!

Brenton Illum is the head football coach at Evangel University.

A FUNDAMENTAL BELIEF

by Brenton Illum

Article from March/April 2010 Issue

CPO Outlook: Ryan Rippee

Staying Humble

Article from November/Decemeber 2009 Issue

Kickapoo High School's Ryan Rippee To be good at any sport, you must have confidence in yourself. But when does confidence to a certain extent become cockiness? When does maintaining a swagger become too over the top and boastful? In Luke Chapter 14 verse 11 the Bible tells us “that those who exalt themselves will be humbled and those who humble themselves will be exalted”.

CPO Outlook: Colton Moos

Attitude

Article from August/September 2009 Issue of Big Sports

moos Football is one of the hardest sports to be a Christian example in because it takes such an intense mindset to play. However, that can never be used as an excuse to let your faith backtrack while participating. Ways that I try to be an example on the field are first with effort. There are some drills that no one ever likes to do and those drills are just as important to give everything I have in as anything else. I try to not cut corners and complete things always giving 100%.

CPO Outlook: Kelsi Moos

Sharing God's Love Through Sports

Article from the July/August 2009 Issue

Hillcrest's Kelsi Moos My name is Kelsi, and I play volleyball and soccer at Hillcrest High School. I have grown up in church all my life, and heard countless speakers say, “Use the gifts God has given you.” Usually when I would hear those words I would think, ‘O.K. I can’t sing very well so people wouldn’t want to hear me sing praise songs, what else is there?’ That was my mentality all through middle school. Then I entered high school. There are so many opportunities to share God’s love at school everyday, and the biggest way for me is through sports.

CPO Outlook: Aaron Crew

Article from May/June 2009 Big Sports

Commitment to Excellence

Aaron Crew The two biggest talents God has given me are my music and athleticism. I have been drumming since birth starting on my grandparent’s tea set with chopsticks. I participated in band during my elementary and high school years. I enjoy playing the drums on chapel worship teams and other church-related bands.

I started playing sports when I was four years old for the local tee-ball team. Through the years, I have played football, basketball, baseball, soccer and track. I was a four- letter athlete in high school. In playing all of these sports, God has used me to be a witness to others through my leadership and sportsmanship.