A football coach featured in a new Fox Nation sports documentary says he teaches his players to prioritize faith and family over football and to trust in Christ in every aspect of their lives. Denny Duron is the president and head football coach at Evangel Christian Academy in Louisiana. This private school is in the spotlight with its team in a new documentary. God. family. football.streaming on Fox Nation. The school is well known to many football fans, winning 14 state championships and producing numerous college players. Seven players on the NFL's active roster played for Evangel.
“The message we give these young people every day is: [that] God comes into your world,” Duron said. fox news In a preview of the series.
“There are many [players] I feel like God is fragmented. [and that] “He belongs in the sanctuary on Sunday mornings and never leaves,” Duron added, “but we teach these kids the truth; There is a wonderful God who is active in every area and aspect of our lives. He comes into your world. So every day, right before practice, we say, “Everyone get ready.'' Start by saying, “I'm going to get organized and start practicing now.'' “May God bless our worship in the name of Jesus.” Praising God becomes an act of worship. ”
Duron said the school values sports as the third most important sport after faith and family. he pointed to Matthew 6:33: “Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”
“We have kids coming from everywhere, and although this is a Christian school, you don't have to be Christian to come here,” he said. “You don't have to sign anything to show that you have a pastor or that you've had some kind of experience with God. We want kids from everywhere because the gospel message changes the way they think and the way they think. God has to draw them here, and that's what we've been doing for over 35 years. We can't adopt them. It has changed. ”
Duron came out of retirement in 2020 to coach Evangel. The school has always valued faith, he said.
“We were very active during the Katrina crisis, standing in front of buses coming in from New Orleans and seeing loved ones undressing, still drenched from walking through floodwaters. “I remember the 2005 crisis,” he said of the 2005 crisis. The hurricane that forced countless families from New Orleans. “And as soon as they arrived, we gave them three things. We gave them a big hug, gave them a blanket, and while we took them to their quarters. , we gave them a moment of prayer. And when people turned around, what they said more than anything was prayer. It was when we took a moment to summon our very presence and let them know that there is a God who cares for us in our tragedies.
“When the storms come, we must connect with a God who truly cares. In times of tragedy and good, God will see us through to the end.”
Photo courtesy: ©Facebook/Evangelical Christian Academy
michael faust has covered the intersection of faith and news for 20 years. His articles have appeared in Baptist Press, Christianity Today, Christian Post, Leaf Chronicle, Toronto Star, and Knoxville News Sentinel.
