Football | 10/30/2014 11:42:00 AM

Stanfield, N.C.----Five Wingate University student-athletes volunteered with the WU Fellowship of Christian Athletes chapter at the West Stanly Christian Ministries (WSCM) facility Monday night. The evening was part of the chapter's FCA Operation Big Heart, emphasizing the service component of the organization's core values: Integrity, Serving, Teamwork and Excellence.
 
The Wingate FCA males worked in the basement of the ministry, assembling Christmas trees that will be either sold at the WSCM Thrift Store or donated to families in need of a tree this holiday season. The group assembled 18 Christmas trees in an hour.
 
The Wingate FCA females worked upstairs on the Thrift Store sales floor, organizing racks of clothing which will be either sold to benefit the ministry or donated to families in need of clothing this season. The two groups joined together for the final 15 minutes (of a 90-minute stay) to finish clothing operation on main floor.
 
The evening concluded with a facility tour from director Robert Britt. The group completed its evening at WSCM by gathering the ministry staff as the FCA Huddle members circled them, laid hands on them and collectedly prayed for God's blessing on them during this upcoming season.
 
Wingate sophomore women's lacrosse sophomore midfielder Logan Bounds (Salisbury, Md.), junior football place kicker James Card (Cramlington, Northumberland, United Kingdom), redshirt sophomore football quarterback Kyle Johnson (Hickory, N.C.), junior football linebacker Eric Mapoles (Snellville, Ga.) and sophomore women's tennis student-athlete Layla Tanik (Raleigh, N.C.) accompanied the FCA group to the WSCM facility Monday night. Bounds, Card and Tanik reflect on their time at West Stanly Christian Ministries. A transcript of their reflections follows…
 
How did the WSCM visit impact your life?
 
Bounds:  It was a great experience to travel off campus with my fellow Fellowship of Christian Athletes members and be able to serve the Lord. This visit impacted my life in a very positive way. I felt truly blessed to be able to go out into the community to lend a hand and work alongside such wonderful people at West Stanly Christian Ministry, who have devoted their lives to serving the Lord.
 
Card: First and foremost, it impacted me more than I was expecting. It showed me that something that many people might deem a small or insignificant action can have a huge ripple effect in a positive way that will reach many people. Something as simple as giving up a couple hours on a Monday night…we finished something that the team at West Stanly would have taken a few days to do themselves. It reaffirmed to me just how much a small group of people coming together for a greater purpose can accomplish.
 
Tanik: The visit impacted my life in positive way. It was such a great experience to be able to serve the community and the Lord with the other wonderful members of FCA. It was truly a blessing to have the opportunity to serve alongside them…and the people of the ministry who are so devoted to the cause and to the Lord. 
 
What did you learn?
 
Bounds: Throughout the time there, I learned more about how even the smallest of gestures can leave a lasting impact. While there, the women helped sort and organize clothes. The men worked together to put up Christmas trees. After two hours, we were taken on a tour and I was in awe at how much of a staple this organization is for their community. They are constantly receiving donations that range from clothes and furniture to food. It was such an inspiration to see how selfless everyone working there was and how the needs of others were always put before their own. Everything they were doing was being done to serve the Lord and provide help to those who need it.
 
Card: I'm new to the whole FCA group. After knowing (current teammates) Kyle (Johnson) and Eric (Mapoles) for a few years…and especially after being around them as much as I have been since joining football from soccer…they really are inspiring guys. The willingness that both of them have to help others…people that they don't even know…and the happiness it can bring to them showed me just why I needed to get involved with this. I also learned about just how good and strong the communities are around Wingate…and how lucky I am to still be here and living among some truly great people.
 
Tanik: I learned how much of an impact only a few hours of volunteering could have. The ladies had the job of rearranging the clothing racks so the sizing would be in order. The people at West Stanly Christian Ministry were so thankful and appreciative. They let us know how many families would benefit from the two hours of work we did. I also learned from the people working at West Stanly Christian Ministry how to serve in such a selfless manner in the name of the Lord. 
 
Would you go back?
 
Bounds: Absolutely! It was a great experience to take the life God has given us and serve him alongside some of the most amazing people who are living out their lives serving Him every day.
 
Card: Without any hesitation…Kyle, Eric and I already spoke about going back to look around and see what we could find. In terms of volunteering again and helping out, I would jump at the chance. The people down there are good, hard-working, committed people. They want to help the people in need in the community in any way that they can. It was such a privilege to be a part of that for only a couple hours that I would love to get involved again.
 
Tanik: I would absolutely return! The people working there were absolutely delightful to be around…and the thrift store was mind-blowingly big with so many piles of donated clothes and items that were begging to be organized. The small amount of work we did made such an impact I can only imagine how much we could accomplish together if we went more frequently. 
 
WEST STANLY CHRISTIAN MINISTRIES
 
"I'm so grateful for the help FCA Wingate was able to give to us at West Stanly Christian Ministries," WSCM Managing Director/Chaplain Robert Britt says. Prior to his call into ministry at WSCM, Britt worked for many years as a Sam's Club manager and a real estate broker. 
 
Approximately 18 months ago, God called him to come to work at West Stanly Christian Ministries. The WSCM organization has been in existence for 18 years. For Britt, the transition both inside and outside the ministry has been difficult, but very rewarding. 
 
The WSCM is a true crisis assistance ministry. WSCM strives to provide both spiritual and physical intervention when folks experience particular hardships. They help financially with utility bills, rental assistance, medical assistance, transportation and other areas as needs arise.  They also have a food pantry and a clothing closet as well as emergency housing for those in crisis. 
 
"We feel called to reflect the love and sacrifice Christ has made for us through service and sacrifice to the community," Britt says. "We accept people for who they are and where they are and ask them to join God in the work He is doing in their lives. We try to balance showing grace, but also accountability and work to assist folks in getting from where they are to where they need to be."
 
Britt acknowledges the importance of volunteers. "Without volunteers like the ones from Wingate, we couldn't do this," Britt says. "I feel especially compelled to say that my staff and I spoke after this visit and mean it sincerely when we say of all the volunteers we've had the privilege of working with, we haven't had anyone impact us quite like the folks we had here from Wingate."
 
"(We hope) God richly blesses each of you, your lives and futures for the way you are putting your faith into action," Britt says. "Truly, FCA Wingate is full of those who are living out James 1:22: But don't just listen to God's word. You must do what it says."
 
WINGATE UNIVERSITY
 
Wingate University, ranked as the 8th "best value" in the South by U.S. News & World Report, serves more than 3,000 students on three campuses in Wingate, Charlotte and Hendersonville, N.C. Founded in 1896, the University offers 35 undergraduate majors, 37 minors and career concentrations, numerous pre-professional programs, graduate degrees in business, accounting, education, physician assistant studies and sport administration, and doctorates in pharmacy, physical therapy and education.
 
With a 14 to 1 student/teacher ratio, Wingate students gain the tools and support needed to excel in academics and apply that learning toward an extraordinary career and life. To view current news, video and story ideas, visit www.youtube.com/wingateuniversity. 
 
In addition to a robust intramural athletics program, Wingate student athletes compete in 22 NCAA Division II sports. The University has won the South Atlantic Conference Echols Athletic Excellence Award for the past eight years. For more information, go to www.wingate.edu.
 
Wingate is first among NCAA Division II Academic All-America®-producing colleges in the 2000's with 67 selections. Among North Carolina's colleges and universities, Wingate's 67 Academic All-America® honorees are number one during this millennium. Wingate's 76 lifetime Academic All-America® picks are tops among all SAC schools. For more information on WU athletics, go to www.wingatebulldogs.com.
 
(Area Director and Life Coach for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes at Wingate University Shannon Powell contributed background information for this article. For more information about FCA at Wingate University, follow them on Twitter (@fcawingate) and like them on Facebook (fcawingate).