On the weekend of July 22-24 I was blessed with the opportunity to gather in Nashville, TN for the first ever Uncommon Sports Group Members Retreat weekend with several other USG members. I had been looking forward to this weekend for a very long time because I knew that it would give me the opportunity to connect with USG members that I have talked with and worked with over the last year or so in person for the first time. I looked forward to this weekend because I hoped to be able to see the fruits of our labor at USG; from all of our full-time staff as well as the Board of Directors, come to fruition in person by witnessing the fellowship between all of our members and staff. All of this took place and it was a blessing to see, but there were some conversations that took place that weekend that I was not expecting to take place. I was able to leave Nashville not only knowing that USG’s work is both thriving and meaningful for God’s kingdom, but I too left filled and rested in the Holy Spirit.
I was not expecting to be both directly and indirectly challenged by one of our board members, Jason Romano. He stated that as a follower of Jesus “my tongue should match my tongue’’ to ensure that there is no damage to my witness to others by the language that I speak in the workplace. I was not expecting to be challenged by Carol Voronyak’s message and to look at my struggle and troubles in my own life on a deeper level of spiritual warfare. I did not expect to be challenged by Johnny Shelton’s message, to look for various ways in which I can grow spiritually in my walk with Christ each day. I did not expect to instantly have a deep sense of community with so many different USG members. I did not expect to engage in multiple intimate and deeply spiritual conversations with various USG staff members that were challenging, enlightening, and encouraging all at the same time.
In reflecting on the weekend, I fully expected to see God’s presence in others’ lives that weekend, but I was surprised to see how spiritually filled I left Nashville that weekend. I should not have been surprised because this is what happens when we surround ourselves with the presence of Jesus and brothers and sisters in Christ. Proverbs 27:17 states, “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” You see that is exactly what the purpose of the Uncommon Sports Group community is- to challenge and grow our members both professionally in the sports industry and most importantly in our walk with Jesus Christ as our iron sharpens iron.
I am grateful that God blessed me with being able to take part in USG's first-ever Members Retreat and the opportunity to see His work through USG on such a grand stage in Nashville. God Bless.