Faith, Football, and Fellowship in Eastern NC

By Whitley Andrews, Shield Editor 

This summer, the varsity football team traded their shoulder pads for work gloves, spending four days in Eastern North Carolina serving homeowners in need. The preseason mission trip became just as much a blessing to the team as to the community. 

Charity Mission Camp in Rose Hill, NC, is run by Baptists on Mission with the goal of meeting community needs in Jesus’ name. Inspired by past mission trips, Head Coach Chris Rivera worked with Camp Director Richard Weeks to coordinate the team’s mission trip. 

Players, coaches, and staff spent four days and three nights at Charity, where they landscaped and even helped restore a storm-damaged home. The idea for the trip stemmed from a past summer mission trip to Charity, where Rivera saw firsthand the impact of serving families in Rose Hill. “The blessings we thought we were bringing to hurting people of Eastern NC were equally a blessing to us,” Rivera reflected.  

This mutual impact was echoed by senior linebacker, Jaden Brinkley, who said, “The gospel can be preached to people in a multitude of ways whether it be on the field, with actions, or by service.” Shared meals, games, and the challenge of working in the summer heat strengthened team bonds that carried into the season.  

Looking back, Rivera said, “We were able to contribute to the difference-making ministry at Charity with [Baptists on Mission], and that made the trip worth it both in the near-term regarding football and in the Kingdom as we attempted to be the hands and feet of Christ.”