Pro Ministry Provides a Season of Increased Opportunity

Much has changed in the 40 years that Fred Raines has been on staff with Athletes in Action. He has served with the pro ministry in Buffalo for 28 years, currently as the chaplain for the Buffalo Bills.

In spite of all the changes that take place with an NFL team throughout the years, one thing has remained the same – Raines’ passion to see spiritual growth and transformation in players’ lives.

“One of the main things, that motivates me and excites me is to see guys grow in their faith, and disciple other guys,” he says.

This year, for the first time, Raines was invited to travel with the team.

“In the fall I started praying that the Lord would increase our borders,” Raines says. “Beginning to travel with the team, that was a specific answer to prayer. I definitely had more conversations with the guys (while) on the road.”

Raines also relies on a core group of players to help him reach out to the athletes.

“These are the ones who really make Christ an issue in the locker room,” he says. “A lot of ministry is done through them. I encourage them to take someone else under their wing, maybe take someone new to chapel, and disciple them.”

This year seven players met weekly with Raines for Bible study. He challenges them to take tangible actions as leaders, such as teaching one of the team Bible studies, inviting someone to Bible study or talking with teammates about their faith.

These opportunities for spiritual development have a significant impact on the lives of the players, even beyond their football careers. One of the athletes involved in the leadership group a few years ago attended seminary after retiring from football.

“He gave a talk at chapel when the team was in Dallas this year,” Raines adds. “There’s nothing like another player speaking to you, the credibility that comes from that.”

Raines has also seen growth in the coaches’ Bible study this season. There have been 10 coaches involved on a regular basis, an increase compared to prior years.

“There is a commitment to grow in their faith,” Raines says, “The group has never been this consistent before.”

Raines’ wife, Kathy, leads a combined study for the wives and girlfriends of the coaches and players, often encouraging the women to lead portions of the study.

“It really forces them to be in a position to trust God when they are helping to lead. The women have really grown though that,” Fred says, “Especially this year, people who had been involved for a while really made a commitment to Christ. They’ve totally changed.”

The Raines also desire to see the men and women they work with impacting their community.

“Our ministry is not an end in itself,” Raines says, “It is not just to help players and their wives and girlfriends. We want to help them create opportunities to share their faith and to use the platform they have to tell others about the Lord.”

Community outreach largely occurs through two events: The Call to Courage Awards Breakfast, featuring former Bills quarterback Frank Reich, and Night out with the Bills, which gives the players and their wives a chance to speak about the importance of their faith in their daily lives. At this year’s Night Out event, 55 people indicated decisions to receive Christ. There has been tremendous response to the awards breakfast, as well.

“Eight to nine hundred people attend the breakfast every year. Sixty percent of the tickets are gone before we’ve announced who the award winner is. People just want to make sure they’re part of it,” Raines continues, “God has brought people to the Lord through that event.”

All in all, Raines is grateful for God’s faithfulness in allowing him to minister to these athletes, “By God’s grace and favor, I’ve had lots of access to the players. We have to trust God from year to year, knowing circumstances could change at any point.”

By Katie Neff, AIA Communications

Photos: Top, London Fletcher accepts the Call to Courage Award at the Buffalo Bills annual breakfast honoring players. Bottom, former Bills quarterback Frank Reich (left) , an active part in the Call to Courage Awards Breakfast, and award winner London Fletcher (right) flank Bills chaplain Fred Raines, a pro staff member with AIA. by teresa young 15. May 2012 03:58

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