A ministry for student-athletes
Published 10:20 am Tuesday, January 23, 2024
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Freedom in Christ Ministries is hosting the All-Star Conference for student-athletes, parents and coaches on Saturday at the Valley Sportsplex.
The conference will be hosted by Freedom in Christ Ministries, which is a disciple ministry based at Plant City Baptist Church in Lanett. The ministry was founded in 2016 and aims to encourage people in their faith and share with others.
Plant City Baptist Church Pastor Randall Hamer, South Carolina Gamecocks Team Chaplain Adrien Despres and University of Oklahoma former softball player Grace Lyons-Turk will be speakers for the event.
“Life is a precious gift from God, and God is the giver of that life,” Hamer said. “… We want in the conference for them to walk away — number one — with a relationship with Christ, and then also to realize that their sport can be a platform for them to be able to share Christ with others.”
Hamer said Lyons-Turk is a speaker with the FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes) and a D-1 champion. He said she will talk to students about how sports don’t define their identity.
“God is the one that should be the definition of their life,” Hamer said.
On Friday night, local coaches are encouraged to attend a free coach’s banquet at Johnny’s Pizza in West Point. The banquet will be hosted by Despres and is free to join. Hamer said people will need to register for the banquet by calling 404-787-0171.
Volunteers from other local churches are also welcome to participate on the day, Hamer said. He encouraged people to represent their church to the community.
The event is free to all. Hamer said Freedom in Christ Ministries is dedicated to making resources and events free so that they can be utilized by everyone in the community and not exclude anyone.
Freedom in Christ Ministries also holds a disciple group, provides disaster relief work and offers help with things like building wheelchair ramps. The ministry also donates 100 meals to families during Christmas and passes out supplies for Thanksgiving dinner.
