Fall with the Eagles!
Hello all! This fall has flown by, and it has been a season of such joy. I am constantly grateful for the chance to witness the Gospel moving forward. Here are some highlights of the past few months here at the Charlotte Eagles!
Fall Rec Season!
I had the amazing opportunity to be a Campus Coordinator for one of our Rec League locations for the fall season! In this role, I was responsible for overseeing all operations at the Matthews location of our youngest soccer program; which included the discipleship and leadership of our coaches and delivering a Gospel presentation to over 200 players and parents each week at our practices. Getting to work with our Early Development department to make their planning and preparation a reality was such a blessing. Throughout the season our theme was that Jesus is better than what the world has to offer, pulling from John 6:68 and Simon Peter’s heart — “Lord, to whom else shall we turn? You have the words of eternal life.” And what an ever-needed message that is! How often do we profess Christ and then turn towards a life that is so concerned with the world, and neglect to cling to the One in whom we find abundant life! (John 10:10). It is easy to just get used to the culture that has been paved through the Eagles organization, but seeing the excitement on kids’ faces when they come to me to recite their memory verses is something that I never want to take for granted. What a special thing that these young players (4 to 10 years old) are heeding Paul’s charge for them to be transformed by the renewal of their minds (Romans 12:2), and imprinting on their hearts that our salvation comes through faith alone (Ephesians 2:8–9)! They get to receive the prize of a pied-in-the-face coach for their diligence, but it is our hope and prayer that they recognize the eternal prize that is offered to them.
Urban Eagles
Our Urban department has had a season full of exciting events and programs! Both our East and North neighborhoods put on a fall festival for the community, offering an opportunity to have families come and gather for food and fellowship. Our ministry in these neighborhoods has been a hallmark of the Eagles mission since its beginning, and it involves a lot of relationship-building that comes through living in these marginalized communities in our backyard.
In East Charlotte, a team of High School and Middle School girls has been playing together in a league to great success! Our staff has come alongside to help coach and cheer on this team and provide a space for these young women to not only improve their skills and enjoy the team camaraderie but also be poured into spiritually. While their season is wrapping up, a boys team is just beginning now and will be continuing into the Spring, offering a similar experience.
Meanwhile, down at our South BLVD neighborhood, we were able to be part of a field inauguration event this fall. Through the generosity of Charlotte FC and the surrounding community, a brand-new futsal court was built and dedicated in an apartment complex we do ministry in. Our staff was able to help with the dedication ceremony, and look forward to the continued ministry that can take place in this new space!
I have been blessed to have the opportunity to live in our East CLT neighborhood for the past few months, and as I transition into a new living situation in the new year I am so grateful to have witnessed firsthand the heart my colleagues have for their neighbors. Through all of the car rides, the late-night conversations and QT trips, these members of our staff pour out their hearts and time for these kids that often need a shoulder to lean on, a friend to vent to, but even more so a Savior to lead their lives. I am incredibly proud to know them, and cannot champion them enough.
Club Soccer Kicks Off!
As the boys high school season wraps up, the club season kicks into high gear. The Charlotte Eagles operate a full youth soccer club, ranging from younger teams just progressing into the travel space up through a USL Academy program that sends high-level players to all collegiate divisions annually. As someone who grew up playing soccer in this world, I have a sense of the dark world that is competitive youth sports. And amid this brokenness and ugliness, our programs are unlike anything I have been a part of. From the top down, our club staff have created an environment that does not compromise the Gospel for excellent soccer; rather, the Gospel is the fuel and foundation by which excellence is built. As I listen in on practice plans being made, Christ is not a late addition but the aim; the entirety of the session is concerned with training our players to be both improved players and men of God simultaneously. While many players are worried about what their future playing prospects entail, we seek for our players to tend to their eternal future, recognizing that their identity lies not in their performance but in the person who died for their sins so that they might receive life (Philippians 2:5–11). While we are not perfect, our desire is to be a light in a space that often feels hopeless — and day by day our hope is that others see something different in our programs and ultimately Someone that is the reason for that.
In Conclusion
In my role with the Eagles, the temptation can be to feel like it is unglamorous. As the Operations Manager, my job entails a lot of behind-the-scenes work: managing budgets and financial statements, coordinating resources between departments, and strategizing future operations and ideas within the organization. I absolutely love my job, don’t get me wrong (I am a numbers man through and through, and my work on Excel brings me joy in a way that most people would find strange!) — but as I sit down to write updates on what my ministry looks like, it can feel like it lacks the visible fruit that other programs get to display out on a field or on an apartment curb. However, the Lord has continued to impress on me the nature of His body and our roles within it. My mind has been drawn to passages like Ephesians 4 and 1 Corinthians 12:12–26, and the importance of a people of diverse skills and gifts within the Kingdom of God. My role in the office is no less crucial than an academy coach or a neighborhood leader; in fact, they complement each other perfectly. My gifts allow me to serve the members of the office by handling tasks that would hamstring their bandwidth, and through their ministry I am continuously growing in my ability to display Jesus’ love to players, coaches, and families that need to hear of His love for them. As I continue in this role, it is my prayer that we can continue to be the hands and feet of Christ.
This work that I do is impossible without your generous support, and for that I am forever grateful! As we approach the end of the calendar year, I am still looking to reach my annual support goal. If you feel led, please use the link below to help support my ability to be part of this ministry.
Thank you so much for reading this! As always, it is a great day to be an Eagle!
Soli Deo Gloria,
Nathan Talesnick
