Inspiring Generosity

Inspiring Generosity

It was 2008, and the Grapevine Faith Lions were playing the Gainesville State Tornadoes. Grapevine Faith, a private school, was well resourced. Gainesville State was made up of young men in a state-run juvenile facility.

Coach Chris Hogan of Grapevine Faith had a vision to create a pathway of generosity that flowed from one sideline to the other. He knew that the players of Gainesville State wouldn’t have their parents in the stands, the cheerleaders cheering for them, or even a postgame snack.

What Hogan did that night taught everyone at the game a profound lesson. He challenged and inspired his fan base to become Gainesville State’s fan base. He had his cheerleaders cheer on their sideline, as if they were the Gainesville State cheerleaders. He had his parents make a forty-yard sprint line with a banner that the Tornadoes of Gainesville State could run through. He even asked the parents to sit on the opposing sideline and cheer for Gainesville State and then made sure that every opposing player had a goodie bag after the game.

The results were incredible, and the Gainesville Tornadoes were given hope through a leader’s generous heart. Psalm 112:4 states, “Light shines in the darkness for the godly. They are generous, compassionate, and righteous.” Thanks, Coach Hogan, for a modern-day example of this verse. May we go and do likewise!

Light shines in the darkness for the godly. They are generous, compassionate, and righteous.

Psalm 112:4