“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds…” -Hebrews 10:24

As the US Men’s Soccer team advances into the knockout stage of the World Cup, there is a lot of conversation about the early rounds’ surprising upsets, fulfilled hopes, and dashed dreams. The soccer pundits – some of whom are eating their previous words regarding the US’ chances to make it out of the dreaded “group of death” – are speculating now about what it will take for any team to be crowned World Cup champion.

What is being proved out in this World Cup tournament is this:
Superstars do not a great team make

Yes, players with great flare do make an impression. Last minute heroics and moments of remarkable skill by the game’s greats notwithstanding, the team that will likely win it all will be the one placing team success over individual achievement. Reports of in-fighting and division all but ruined Ghana’s high hopes of moving into the round of 16 (two players were suspended by the team prior to their match against Portugal). Spain, the team loaded with the world’s best players, and dubbed by many: “the greatest team ever” imploded spectacularly on the globe’s biggest stage. Individual players sell jerseys. Teams win championships.

Last Sunday, as a team of nearly 1,000 volunteers from Mariners MV joined to support a local elementary school in a massive community service effort, the aim, clearly in focus, was about helping the school win. Some people painted. Some dug holes. Some served lunch. Some pulled weeds. Some watered plants. A pregnant woman stapled workbooks together. While I heard a lot of enthusiasm about how we were living out our oft-quoted mantra of being “in the community, for the community” and the mutual admiration for what were able to accomplish with this kind of partnership, not a single person said anything about how much more important their role or their work was than someone else’s work. In so doing, everyone was “spurred on toward love and good deeds.”

We (the school, the community, Mariners MV, the neighborhood, the teachers, the students, and the faculty) won. We all won. Take a look at some of the event photos on our facebook page.

Join us this Sunday as we share photos and stories from the SERVE DAY event. We’ll hear from Kenny Luck, long-time men’s pastor in South Orange County and founder of Everyman Ministries. This Sunday is a great one for inviting people – guys, in particular – who are looking for a fresh start with God.

See you Sunday,

Jeff