Growing Deeper

Football is a unique sport simply because it tests every discipline you have in your body. Physical, mental, emotional, and even spiritual. Just a few days ago, we were in the Palmerio Center for our team run. As the team runs, I take the opportunity to walk around the inside of the building interacting with players and coaches, but mainly to take time to pray! As I walked, one of our guys had tweaked something and was in the end zone walking while pulling a chain. As I noticed this, I took the opportunity to slow down and walk with him a few steps. Before I left, I simply said, "You know there is a spiritual lesson in what you are doing!" He said, "Yeah, what is it?" To that, I simply responded, "If you keep dragging the chains of your past with you everywhere you go, you will never be able to move forward in a relationship with Christ!" and with that, I walked on. I didn't think anything about that interaction again until we went to the PNC room where the players eat breakfast. I usually mingle around and talk with the guys while in there and the player I spoke to in the Palmerio approached me. He said, "I can't get what you said off my mind! How can I go forward and grow deeper?" That has been a common theme at football since we returned to school in January! How can I grow deeper? I look forward over the next months to walk with these guys as we deepen our walk with Christ together! When you pray, please pray for us as we take these steps each and every day!

Scott Nicholson

Campus Rep/Football Chaplain

College Getaway 2024

College Getaway was an exciting time for athletes from across the state. During the retreat, many athletes took steps to go deeper in their faith. In particular, two MSU athletes asked our staff for prayer to help them release their past hurts and sins. Another MSU athlete revealed that she had decided to follow Christ! Our staff had spoken to her several times about her faith in the past, and she kept saying she was seeking. We were thrilled to hear about her decision to accept Christ's invitation to follow him! At the retreat, with her MSU FCA family gathered around her, she rang a special bell on the campground to let everyone know of her decision.

We have never been to a retreat where the emphasis on intimacy with Christ was so strong and where so many in the room desired to receive it.

We truly believe that Jesus' prayer in John 17:20-24 will come true in this generation and the ones to come! Our FCA staff are grateful for the opportunity to be part of bringing Jesus' prayer to pass within MSU Athletics.

"My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message,

that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. 

May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 

I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one—

I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity.

Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.

Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, 

and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because

you loved me before the creation of the world."

John 17:20-24

To hear more faith stories from MSU FCA staff, coaches, and athletes,

check out our new podcast, "Created to Be," on Apple and Spotify podcasts.