Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many First Priority and Priority Kids elementary clubs weren’t able to hold traditional meetings on campus this past school year. Some First Priority high school clubs met (in person and virtually), fewer middle school clubs met and no Priority Kids elementary clubs were able to meet. School officials tell us they are counting on First Priority and Priority Kids Clubs to be back in the schools this fall. These clubs are much needed on school campuses as they provide a safe environment and positive peer group for students. The vision of First Priority is to share the hope of Christ with every student before they graduate high school. First Priority unites the local body of Christ with a plan of action to influence the school with the Gospel.
As area students head back to class this fall, First Priority and Priority Kids Clubs will play a critical role in helping our youth establish positive peer groups and grow in their faith in Christ.
Today, most young people have an increased level of connectivity but less connection than ever before. Research by Springtide in early 2020, just before COVID-19 quarantine, told us that one-fourth of 13 to 17-year-olds said they sometimes or always feel “completely alone.” We witnessed this firsthand this past school year as the clubs that were able to meet had a great turnout. Students are depressed, lonely and looking for a safe place to belong. First Priority gives them a great outlet to connect with others who may be going through similar situations as themselves.
Priority Kids is a strategy for churches and parents to partner together around schools to empower elementary and intermediate students to influence their school with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Priority Kids is taking God’s Word and putting it into action on campus. Our goal with Priority Kids is to reach students at a younger age and our prayer is that their faith will remain with them throughout middle and high school as well as after graduation.
First Priority and Priority Kids elementary clubs were greatly missed this past school year. School officials are counting on us to relaunch clubs this fall and we don’t want to let them down. Will you be a part of this important relaunch? There are multiple ways you can be involved. Visit firstpriorityal.com for more information or email us directly at [email protected]. If you would like your elementary student to participate in Priority Kids this fall or if you would like to volunteer, visit prioritykids.com. We hope you’ll be a part of this unique movement to reach every last student with the hope of Christ! †
How do faith and sports connect at the college level? Thanks to Tavon Arrington and his team at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) they are connected in more ways than one.
Tavon Arrington’s family motivates him to make a difference every day. He and his wife, Camille, celebrate 10 years of marriage this month. Together, they have four daughters: Chloe (10), Carsyn (8), Callie (5), and Candace (3).
Arrington leads the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) at UAB. Before arriving at UAB, Arrington played football at Troy University where the FCA chaplain Lonnie Cochran had a tremendous influence on his life. “He is the person God used to ultimately bring me on staff with FCA,” Arrington says. After the football program at UAB ended and then restarted in 2015, Arrington received an offer from Coach Bill Clark to be the chaplain at UAB. “We then started the process of raising financial support for me to be the chaplain,” Arrington says, adding, “I’m now going on my sixth football season ministering to our coaches and athletes and their families.” Even though his primary responsibility is the football team, he also ministers to athletes in every sport at UAB.
Through UAB’s FCA, student athletes get the opportunity to grow in faith and community each week through weekly huddles on campus.
“Being in my role, you see people in the best of both worlds. You see people at their highest moments- like winning a conference championship- while you also see them in their lowest moments- like losing a family member,” Arrington says. He is thankful for the great board and staff- that includes Multi-Area Director Jack Baker- that allows him to do Bible studies for coaches (every Wednesday morning) a weekly Multi Sports Huddle where athletes from every sport can come for a time of food, fellowship, and the Word. “Our huddles really build a strong sense of community between all sports at UAB,” Arrington believes. He and his team, including Sarah Witkowski, allow the athletes to lead the huddles and they love to see and hear how they have grown in their faith. The difference FCA has made on the UAB campus is tremendous, Arrington says. His goal was to reach all athletes- male and female. Through hiring female staff and more, “we have a ministry that gives everyone an opportunity to grow in their faith and find community.”
Tavon Arrington was asked by UAB’s football coach, Bill Clark to serve as team chaplain. The Blazers take the field this fall with hopes of another Conference USA Football Championship(Champs 2020).
UAB’s FCA reaches out beyond campus. Arrington- along with FCA’s Board Chairman Charlie Nowlin and Metro Director Bill Gray- realized that many schools around campus didn’t have an FCA presence on campus. They started brainstorming ways to use the momentum happening at UAB to reach the inner-city schools all around them. “God put in my life Myles McKee- who was a former quarterback at UAB living in Titusville who already had a heart for athletes at Parker High School,” Arrington says. McKee joined forces with FCA to continue his work. “We have seen so much growth in Parker and other schools in the area. We have 11 FCA huddles that meet around the inner-city.” Recently, they saw eight athletes at Parker High School get baptized.
For the upcoming school year, Arrington hopes to reach “just one more person.” FCA is 100% supported by churches, businesses, and individuals. To learn more about FCA’s impact, visit www.fcabirmingham.org.
Meet Dr. Cathy Trimble, the new Principal at Banks Academy. Dr. Trimble comes to the private, Christian school located in East Lake with 35 years of experience in education, most recently as the Principal of Francis Marion High School in Marion, Ala. Dr. Trimble has been nationally recognized as a key leader in education with Teach for America naming an award for her.
Dr. Cathy Trimble is the new Principal at Banks Academy in East Lake. Meet her at one of the upcoming “Coffee with Cathy” events.
Dr. Trimble had no plans to come to Banks Academy. “I’d never even heard of it,” she adds. When it came to her attention that the school board was searching for a new principal, she started to feel a nudge to at least explore the opportunity, even though she was very happy where she was. “I did the interview to satisfy whatever was in my conscience saying go and check it out. I realized later that the conscience was actually the Holy Spirit,” Dr. Trimble says. Once she was offered the job as principal, she says she toyed with the idea until God spoke to her. “He spoke to me from Genesis 12 where God spoke to Abram and told him to ‘leave your country, leave your relatives and go to the land where I will show you.’” Dr. Trimble was outside walking and praying about the opportunity when she felt God speak to her, “as you’re walking to a destination physically, you must walk in My will and My way.” After this, she felt she had no choice but to follow the lead of the Holy Spirit.
Banks Academy is entering its 7th year of education. Many of the board members are alumni of the original Banks High School that closed in 1989. “They had a vision of educating the area children in their home community. They wanted students to have a quality education like they did,” Dr. Trimble says. Students at Banks Academy receive a quality education with a Christian worldview. Students at each grade level perform community service throughout the school year. “We have to teach them how to work in the mission field, be a servant, and walk as Jesus walked,” Dr. Trimble explains, adding that Banks Academy isn’t limited to students living in the East Lake community. The school even provides transportation for students who attend.
Banks Academy opened its doors in 2015 in the same community as the original Banks High School. The school is accredited by AdvancED and ACSI and offers a wide range of athletics including football, basketball, track and volleyball.
Interested in learning more about Banks Academy? Coffee with Cathy is for you! Dr. Trimble encourages anyone who is interested in helping Banks Academy further their mission to join her on August 26 from 7:30 a.m.- 8:30 a.m. at BMSS Wesson Wealth Management, 3500 Colonnade Parkway, Suite 150, 35243, to hear the vision of the school and learn about ways to partner with Banks Academy. Another Coffee with Cathy is scheduled for September 16 at OneAscent Wealth Management, 23 Inverness Center Parkway, 35242 from 7:30 a.m.- 8:30 a.m. “You can hear what we are planning to do to go from surviving to thriving,” Dr. Trimble adds. RSVP for the event by calling 205-266-8634 or email [email protected]. To learn more about Banks Academy, visit www.banksacademy.org. Banks Academy is entering its 7th year of education. Many of the board members are alumni of the original Banks High School that closed in 1989. “They had a vision of educating the area children in their home community. They wanted students to have a quality education like they did,” Dr. Trimble says. Students at Banks Academy receive a quality education with a Christian worldview. Students at each grade level perform community service throughout the school year. “We have to teach them how to work in the mission field, be a servant, and walk as Jesus walked,” Dr. Trimble explains, adding that Banks Academy isn’t limited to students living in the East Lake community. The school even provides transportation for students who attend.
Birmingham- get ready! The World Games 2022 (TWG2022), an international multi-sport event organized with the support of the International Olympic Committee, will hold its 11th edition in Birmingham from July 7-17, 2022. An anticipated 3,600 athletes will participate in more than 30 different sports throughout The Games.
Birmingham will welcome the World Games 2022 from July 7-17.
“We could not be more excited for this once-in-a-lifetime event. This is the first opportunity sports fans will have to attend an international multi-sport event on American soil since the pandemic. We’re honored to have that distinction and we can’t wait to see thousands of fans from around the world in Birmingham a year from now to watch the new generation of sports,” TWG2022 CEO, Nick Sellers said
Tickets can be purchased for each individual sport, as well as the Opening and Closing Ceremonies and in select packages. To purchase tickets to The World Games 2022, visit TWG2022.com. “We want to encourage everyone to jump on the opportunity to purchase their tickets now,” Sellers said. “We expect many venues to sell out quickly, and we don’t want anyone to miss out on their chance to witness history.”
The Birmingham Organizing Committee also announced several musical artists that will perform at The World Games 2022, including Master of Funk turned TWG2022 Master of Ceremonies Bootsy Collins and country music icons Randy Owen and Sara Evans. BCF past covers Olympic Gold Medalists Vonetta Flowers and Catherine Reddick Whitehill are also Honorary Chairs for the World Games.
Meet the World Games 2022 mascots- Vulcan and Vesta!
In addition to the musical artists, the official mascots of The World Games 2022, Vulcan and Vesta, were also officially revealed. Named after the famous Vulcan statue that overlooks Birmingham, the largest cast iron statue in the world, Vulcan is joined by a female companion, Vesta. Both mascots are presented by O’Neal Industries and in partnership with the Vulcan Park and Museum with costume design by Princess Closet Designs.
The Vulcan originally represented Birmingham at the 1904 St. Louis World’s Fair and has come full circle to help the community welcome the world in July 2022. The announcements and ticket sales were celebrated at an event at The Club in Birmingham featuring comments from Sellers, Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin and Hoover Mayor Frank Brocato. †
As Birmingham’s Vonetta Flowers crossed the finish line in victory at the 2002 Winter Olympic Games, she was not bashful about sharing the secret to her success. We heard her say it on national television during news conferences and interviews. She said it again at her Birmingham Homecoming Celebration. “My goal was to make the Summer Olympics. God had a different plan for me.”
Vonetta and husband/coach Johnny Flowers enjoy Utah after her gold medal win. Photos Courtesy U.S. Bobsled & Skeleton Federation
From a woman who describes herself as “reserved, ” Vonetta Flowers has a very powerful, succinct way of giving credit where credit is due. “God has blessed my family. I give Him the glory and honor.” Vonetta says her Gold Medal winning comments were not planned. The words came from her heart. “It just came natural. We (she and her husband Johnny) talk about God anyway. It is just us. It is a part of our life…It wasn’t me out there pushing that sled.” Johnny Flowers adds, “It may not always be the ‘in thing’ to talk about God but we’re not ashamed of it. He got us to this point. Vonetta is not strong enough to push that 450 pound sled and make it go that fast. Standing at the finish line I knew that it was the prayers of a lot of church members and other people praying for us that allowed the team to do what they did.”
Where does this boldness for Christ come from? The Flowers say it began to develop during their college years as they competed as scholarship track athletes at UAB. Independently, and then as a couple, they saw their faith grow. At the invitation of a friend, Vonetta began attending church regularly. Johnny grew up the son of a Baptist minister. “I was in church about eight days a week,” chuckles Johnny. “When I arrived at UAB I didn’t want to go to church anymore. I wanted to do my own thing, but I got to a point where I realized I needed God to truly be successful and that’s when I started to go to church for the right reasons.” The couple soon began attending Faith Chapel Christian Center and were married there in 1999. The Flowers say their shared faith is critical to the success of their relationship. “I think it would be very difficult to have a strong relationship without it. It gives you that total peace,” says Johnny.
As Birmingham’s Vonetta Flowers and teammate Jill Bakken won the first-ever women’s Olympic bobsled competition at the 2002 Winter Olympic Games, several members from Flowers’ church were in the crowd to cheer them on to victory.
Peace is what Vonetta says gave her the edge she needed to become the first African American to win a gold medal in the Winter Games. “I definitely did not feel any pressure where as I had a lot of pressure on me when I was running in college.” Vonetta says she drew upon the message she heard her pastor preach just before the competition. “Pastor Mike (Michael Moore) was teaching on the subject of faith or fear…I was living on faith not fear during the Olympics. I was able to relax, have a good time and focus on what I had to do.”
For the first time in her long career of athletic competition, Vonetta says she was also blessed with no injuries. “I have had tons of injuries and many surgeries in track and field. I would get over one injury and get another. Competing in bobsledding was the first time I had been injury free in a long time.” Vonetta is also quick to tell you having the right coach definitely came handy.
Disappointed about not making the Summer Olympic Team in long jump, it was coach and husband Johnny who urged her to try out for bobsled. “I knew she met the qualifications for a successful bobsledder- speed and power. She just lacked technique.” When Vonetta was cut from the bobsled team just a few months before the Winter Games, it was Johnny that kept her on course. “I told Vonetta, God did not put you in this sport to now two months before kick you out of it.” Vonetta continued to train as though she was still on the team and two weeks later she had not one, but two offers to return. Johnny watched his wife begin to see a much bigger picture. “As things started happening she began to realize maybe God does have me in this sport for a reason. Every time a door would close another door would open for her. I saw her develop this peace about it.”
While attending Jonesboro Elementary School in Bessemer, 9-year-old Vonetta Flowers started running track. By the age of ten, she had her sites on winning an Olympic Gold Medal.
A peaceful demeanor is what Vonetta and Johnny Flowers continue to maintain despite their over night fame and a rush of requests for endorsements, appearances and speaking engagements. Vonetta laughs, “A lot of people think I came back from the games to sit on my coach. I’m still working as an assistant track coach at UAB just like I was before the games.” Until the track season ends the middle of May, Vonetta and Johnny say they will wait to wade through the many opportunities they have for endorsements. However, one endorsement decision has already been made. “I am not going to change who I am for money.” When asked if she’s feeling any pressure from the spot light she smiles and in her relaxed style replies, “I think it would be pressure if you are trying to be something you are not, but if you are being yourself it is not.”
What does the future hold for Vonetta and Johnny Flowers? They both hope a large family. “I want to raise my children and experience being a full time mom,” says Vonetta. Is another trip to the Olympics also on her mind? Vonetta says with a smile, “If God sees fit. I will be back.” To learn more about Vonetta and Johnny Flowers visit www.vonettaflowers.com.
-Laurie Stroud Franklin
This article first appeared in Birmingham Christian Family, May 2002.
The humidity of an Alabama summer can make it tough to keep your hair looking its best but the team at T. Fox SalonSpa has three great ideas on how to beat the heat!
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Fifty frayed and faded U.S. flags were recently properly retired thanks to the patriotism and partnership of two groups at Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church (OLS) in Homewood. Boy Scouts of America Troop 237 with the help of Knights of Columbus conducted a retirement ceremony for the worn flags. Following the Pledge of Allegiance and the recounting of the symbolism of the stars and stripes and the dedication of past patriots, the scouts placed pieces of the flags into the fire. The preferred way to retire U.S. flags is cutting them, separating the stripes but keeping the blue field of stars intact and burning them. Flags cannot be buried or discarded.
In conjunction with the Girl Scouts of North-Central Alabama, Vulcan Park & Museum recently held a Flag Ceremony and Retirement. Girl Scouts from various troops in the Birmingham area participated in the program. Scouts recited facts about our nation’s flag and began a formal process to dispose of tattered flags. †
“The sky is falling!” The warning of imminent danger from all around sounded by Chicken Little is a phrase that could easily be spoken over the last year and a half. Pandemics, racial tension, rioting, uncertainty, and political divisions are all skies collapsing in different areas around us.
The anxiety and chaos of these and many other problems are going to leave the world in need of deep processing, counsel, and therapy. As parents, are we passing these anxieties and stressors on to our children? Or do we view the world by faith knowing that the end of the story has already been written?
In The Pandemic Population, Dr. Tim Elmore describes the current state of children and students’ post-pandemic world: “On the outside, they’re clowning around on Snapchat and TikTok, laughing at memes and making others laugh at filtered photos on social media. Inside, however, their mental health has gone south. It appears their life is a comedy, but in reality, it feels like a tragedy. They are mourning just how overwhelmed they feel – how behind they assume they are and how much they’ll have to make up in order to catch up.” Our children have struggled more than they know how to admit and more than we even understand. When it comes to difficult circumstances and moments, how can we respond from a position of faith instead of the anxiety of Chicken Little?
By remembering three key truths:
1. God Reigns as Sovereign. Isaiah 6:1a ESV says, “In the year that King Uzziah died I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up.” Despite the chaos of a changing ruler, God sat and reigned as sovereign on the throne. He is not caught off guard by chaos in our world.
2. The Story Has Already Been Written. Revelation 22:20b reminds us, “Surely, I am coming soon.” Jesus will return. He is the Author of the story. We can have hope that He holds our lives and stories also in His hands.
3. Our Hope Is in a Different Kingdom. Revelation 21:5b says, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Our hope is that Jesus will come again and make all wrongs right and make everything the way that it was meant to be. Our ultimate hope cannot be found in this world.
On New Years’ Eve of 2019, Dr. Tony Evans spent most of the day alone in his room. The lights were dim. The curtains were drawn. His wife had died the previous day, and he was overwhelmed with grief. He was scheduled to preach at a special New Year’s Eve service, but he was unable to get out of bed because his heart was broken. Then he remembered his wife’s faith and dedication. He remembered his calling. He remembered that he was a citizen of the kingdom of heaven and that the Spirit of God was stronger than the shadow of death. So, in the midst of darkness and sorrow a man’s feet hit the floor. It was time to rise. It was time to stand up. It was time for Tony Evans to preach.
In his new book, Kingdom Men Rising (Bethany House Publishers), Dr. Evans calls on men to step into their calling as men of God – men who consistently submit to the rule of Jesus. When men truly practice discipleship, they will prosper spiritually and fulfill Christ’s agenda for their life. Success is not defined by career paths, income, or the world’s acclaim. True success is doing the will of God, regardless of how others measure your life. Dr. Evans is calling for men to stand up, lift up their heads, and start living under the lordship of Jesus. Find your kingdom purpose. Be brave and resolute. Then go to work.
Dr. Tony Evans is the founder and senior pastor of Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship in Dallas, Texas. His latest book is available at Sanctuary Christian Books and Gifts in Alabaster.
Dr. Evans is not interested in men merely professing their faith. He wants men to put works behind their faith. In Kingdom Men Rising, he says, “God’s Word does not work just because you get excited about it. It doesn’t work just because you heard a sermon and got fired up. To listen to God’s Word but refuse to act on it causes a man to do little more than waste his life.”
If Christians truly want to influence others and change the world, it will require men of God to act like men. We need to be discerning, strong, and selfless. It may be hard. It may require self-sacrifice. The golden rule and the law of love are not easy, but Jesus told us it would be difficult. Dr. Evans is right. It’s time for our feet to hit the floor. It’s time to stand up and preach. It’s time for Kingdom men to rise.
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