Essence
SPIRIT ALIVE
A Quarterback's Quarterback
O
regon Ducks quarterback Marcus Mariota
has had a storied career. He led his team to
compete for college football's championship,
won the Heisman Trophy as best college foot-
ball athlete and amassed more than 10,000
yards and 100-plus touchdowns over the past three years.
"God has taught me that I can trust in Him, no matter what, whether
things are good or bad, and that has really allowed
me to go all in for Him," Marcus said in an interview
with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes earlier this
year, an organization Marcus joined in high school.
Players competing at Mariota's level shoulder
a lot of pressure, since expectations for victory
are high. And the hard work and tough schedule
challenge players to keep a healthy perspective
intact. Marcus relies on his relationship with God
to stay steady "Going all in for God is glorifying
Him with the abilities He's given us and shining
our light for Him," he continued. "It's a huge
pressure, but you learn a lot about yourself
through it. Coach Scott Frost has helped me
learn that football doesn't define me. It's just what I do. That was a
huge life lesson for me. I really took that and ran with it. My faith is
what keeps me going and I can always grow in that."
-- For more information about the Fellowship
of Christian Athletes -- visit www.fca.org
The War Cry | FEBRUARY 2015
34
CHRISTIAN ATHLETES
A
Salvation Army bell ringer
paid $21,000 for a diamond
engagement ring and wedding
band that a widow placed inside a red
donation kettle in Boston during Christ-
mastime. A note with the rings asked
that the jewelry be sold and the proceeds
used to buy toys for poor children.
The anonymous woman redeem-
ing the rings is also a widow, and
wants to return them to the woman
who originally donated them.
"I want to be involved in this
because it's about the spirit of Christmas,
the spirit of giving," the buyer told The
Salvation Army.
-- Source: Associated Press
T
he Salvation Army is always
grateful for whatever you can
give, whether it's 25 cents,
$25 or $250. But the anonymous
donor who dropped a cashier's check
worth a whopping $25,000 in a red
kettle in Galveston, Texas made for
a special Christmas for folks in
need this past holiday season.
"I am most grateful for this
wonderful gift," said Captain
Mark Jacobs, regional coordina-
tor for the Army in Galveston
County. "This money stays in Galveston
County and helps our friends facing hardship,
crisis and transition."
-- Source: WABC TV News, New York
O
n Christmas Eve, an anonymous
donor wrapped a one-ounce gold
coin inside a dollar bill, along with
a note saying "Merry Christmas! Yes, this is
a real one ounce gold coin!" and dropped
it in a red kettle in Nashua, New Hampshire.
The American Eagle Gold Bullion's estimated
worth is about $1,200. Ed Stebbins, advisory
board member for the Nashua Salvation
Army, said the coin would be auctioned at
the Army's annual Groundhog Breakfast
with proceeds used to help send 35 children
to a one�week camp at Lake Sebago in
Maine, and provide funding for area families
so their children can attend the Army's
summer day camp in Nashua.
-- Source: www.newhampshire.com
At The Red Kettle
EMPOWERING TEENS
Preventing Trafficking
C
hosen is a powerful, informative documentary
and resource package on sex trafficking in the
U.S. by Shared Hope International, a Christian
organization that "strives to prevent the conditions
that foster sex trafficking, restore victims of sex
slavery and bring justice to vulnerable women and
children." It tells the stories of two teenage girls
who were manipulated and exploited into trafficking.
Chosen reveals the warning signs and consequences
of sex trafficking to help teens avoid becoming
trapped in the industry. Its resources include discus-
sion questions,
PowerPoint
presentations,
guides, sug-
gested materi-
als, and more.
For more on the
Chosen DVD &
Training Package, visit
www.sharedhope.org/chosen
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