CSU Holds October FCA Rally

CHARLESTON, S.C. – On Monday, Oct. 4, Charleston Southern held its second FCA rally of the school year. Athletes and coaches met in the Brewer Center for a night of fellowship, and heard a message by Seth Buckley, Minister of Youth at First Baptist Church in Spartanburg, S.C.

Football assistant Dave Padilla opened the evening by serving as emcee for a brief trivia game with selected student-athletes. Following a prayer by Summit Church pastor Jon Davis, Buckley began a message, speaking from Scripture and relating personal experiences.

Buckley opened by describing how people often ponder the thought, “I wonder what would have happened if . . .?” He then related that the question should be, “What should I do now?” 

His sermon referred to dealing with adversity, whether it be physical injury or illness, or disappointment in a dream deferred. The story of Achan, found in Joshua 7, illustrates someone holding onto his or her own interests, over the interests of others. Buckley mentioned the example John Wooden set, and how the legendary UCLA coach said that team spirit is being eager to do whatever it takes for the sake of the team.

Buckley then read Proverbs 3:5-7, and asked what it means to trust in the Lord with all of your heart. He told his own story, how he walked on to the football team at the University of Alabama as a freshman, only to see his opportunity to play major Division I football fade. A man shared with Buckley back then that God is bigger than the situation.

Buckley closed his message by stating that God has a plan for believers, but that people need to let go of their own plans, if they don’t align with what God has planned. The final Scripture shared, Hebrews 12:1-3, pointed to the need to throw off things that hinder in order to run the race marked out. 

Dr. Rick Brewer, Vice President for Student Affairs and Athletics, said, “Seth Buckley is uniquely qualified to speak to a group of athletes because he’s been one. He played football in college, and he’s endured through some tough times, and he’s a gifted speaker, communicator. And, in keeping with the other great programs and speakers that we’ve brought to the university, Seth is just a natural, and we’ve known him a long time. He did ministry in Summerville for years and now of course in Spartanburg. Without a doubt, God has his hand on his life, and tonight he brought a word to our athletes and coaches that will be transformational in the lives of those that were here.”