Elizabeth Butler
The Valdosta Daily Times
VALDOSTA —
VALDOSTA — About 500 high school athletes and coaches are expected to attend the third annual “Tailgating at the Tabernacle” Sunday, Sept. 12, at Camp Tygart.
Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) and Hahira United Methodist Church are co-sponsoring the event which will include live music by the Henry McGill Band, testimonies, preaching, “fun, fellowship and free food” from 10:30 a.m. until noon. Hot dogs, hamburgers and barbecue will be served at noon.
“What I like the most about Tailgating at the Tabernacle is the opportunity to join up with the FCA to have a worship service with athletes and our church family, to worship the Lord and hear about the impact Jesus makes in our lives every day,” Hahira UMC Pastor Ken Morgan said Tuesday.
“Part of the fun for me personally is to have an environment where you wear your favorite team’s T shirt, dress casually, and see the power of Christ in that type of worship service.”
Trea Brinson, FCA campus director for Valdosta State University, will be the featured speaker. Lowndes High School quarterback Cole Parker and Valdosta High School Offensive Line Coach Mark Loudermilk will give their testimonies. VHS girls basketball coach E.A. Wilcox will share his singing talent.
“It’s a great time,” Parker said. “It’s a really good service and an overall good event. I’m glad they keep putting it on every year.
"Before I was there as somebody watching and now I have the opportunity to speak and share my testimony. It’s a huge thing for me because the first thing in my life is Christ. An opportunity to share the gospel with other people is a great opportunity.”
Athletes from Atkinson, Brooks, Cook, Lanier and Lowndes counties and Valdosta High School have been invited to climb on the buses in their respective counties for the trip to Camp Tygart.
“Two years ago, Hahira United Methodist Church pastored by Ken Morgan called and said he wanted to do an outreach for young people and wanted to partner with the FCA,” said Hal McGregor, FCA area director. “I’m into anything that will get young people under the sound of the gospel.”
Several meetings followed, with Gus Walters, Stan Reaves, Berke Holtzclaw and Tommy Stalvey of Hahira UMC among the participants.
Former Lanier County head coach Daniel McFather was the speaker for the first Tailgating at the Tabernacle, attended by about 350 athletes and coaches. Last year, which saw attendance increase to between 400 and 500 people, featured Kevin “Chappy” Hynes, chaplain at the University of Georgia. Two coaches, Berrien County head baseball coach Doug Nix and Lanier County assistant coach Brett Rogers gave their testimonies.
