If we have been born again and are followers of Christ, then we have a story - a testimony. Sometimes a testimony can be dramatic, other times someone might think theirs is pretty standard, especially if they grew up in the Church. But, what happens in a human heart with the new birth is simply…astounding. We pass from death to life, from darkness to light. Jesus said to Nicodemus in John 3 (ESV):
3 Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God. ”
4 Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born? ”
5 Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.
6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
7 Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again. ’
As over a hundred thousand people filed into Kyle Field at Texas A&M recently, a man said this on the PA system, according to Movieguide: “…I pray that the people walking in who feel lost and alone, that they might find community and that they might experience for themselves the soul-satisfying peace that only comes through knowing in Jesus Christ.”
No, this was not the opening prayer in a church service or an evangelistic crusade - these were the words of RobertAnthony Cruz, also known as Coach RAC, who is part of the phenomenon known as the Savannah Bananas. His words were recorded in an Instagram video.
You see, prior to Savannah Bananas events, the team has sponsored what are called Sandlot Revival worship nights. As he spoke to the entering crowd, he thanked the Lord for the event that occurred the night before in a local church:
“Lord, thank you so much for last night and the worship night that my teammates and I hosted. There was a moment where we were praying over people at the end, and I was surrounded by like 50 kids, and I got a chance to pray over them and then kneel before the stage and sing the last worship song with them, and it was one of the most beautiful things that I have ever experienced,” Coach RAC prayed. “God, thank you that you’ve given me a platform to be able to speak into the lives of the next generation. I pray that I would just have a positive impact, and then my teammates would do the same, Lord.”
A Sports Spectrum article from last year discussed the role of faith in what is called “Banana Ball,” including the introduction of the Sandlot Revival events. One occurred outside the home stadium of the team.
The article notes: “Team owner Jesse Cole, known for his signature yellow tuxedo and showman persona, has built an organization centered on joy and family-friendly entertainment. And while not explicitly branded as a Christian team, the Bananas have made space for faith to flourish.” The story also noted:
The team has been seen on social media dancing in the clubhouse to worship music and on the field to Forrest Frank’s song, “Your Way’s Better.” Many players post Scripture on social media, and Cruz occasionally posts videos of him praying over the stadium prior to games.
And two seasons ago, some of the players committed to meeting together in Bible study weekly. Coach RAC said on Instagram: “There’s nothing that crazy happening here — we are just broken people who find great joy and peace and rest knowing that our lives are not about us,” adding, “The world doesn’t revolve around us. Speaking for myself, the more the spotlight is put on me, the more I realize the spotlight is meant to be put on the Giver of all things.”
The Bananas, with their outrageous antics and crazy yellow uniforms, have become a sports phenomenon - they even have their own leagues of a variety of teams, including two teams that stopped off in Montgomery earlier this year. But, I also think that there’s something contagious about the joy of the Lord, and these guys have an extra added dimension - of faith.
Jesus said if He is lifted up, He will draw all people to Himself. We just have to let Him do that through us. We must be careful not to quench the Spirit, but to allow the Spirit to give us the words to say; after all, He’s given us a testimony! When you talk about life change, the transformation of a heart, why, that’s what people are looking for.
We should be the most excited people on earth, because we have the answer to what people are seeking. We are the purveyors of hope, and that can be reflected as we testify to the presence of Jesus.