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Flames Football alumni join virtual reunion, prayer meeting ahead of bowl game

Guests on Saturday morning’s Zoom session, moderated by Brad Butler (top left), included Rick Kreider (clockwise from top center), Jon McClure, Steve Kearns, David Caudle, Roger Mackey, Brandon Apon, Ed Gomes, and Marty Martin (center).

Before the Liberty University Football team’s showdown with Eastern Michigan in Saturday’s LendingTree Bowl in Mobile, Ala., several former Flames players and other alumni joined a video conference call orchestrated by Liberty Development & Alumni Affairs Officer Brad Butler (’84), a former player. For those who couldn’t make it to the game in-person, it was a way to use technology to connect, share testimonies, and pray for the team gearing up for its third consecutive bowl game appearance.

Former Liberty Baptist College (LBC) tight end Steve Kearns (’80), the first Flames Football player drafted professionally — as a slot-back receiver for the Canadian Football League’s BC Lions and Hamilton Tiger-Cats — was an active voice on the call, encouraging his peers and more recent alumni to carry on the vision of Liberty’s founder, Dr. Jerry Falwell.

After retiring as a player, Kearns has served as a chaplain for several professional teams through Athletes in Action, including the CFL’s Tiger-Cats and Toronto Argonauts, NBA’s Toronto Raptors, and Major League Soccer’s Toronto FC.

“Over the last 35-36 years, I’ve had the opportunity to work with the football, basketball, soccer guys, to build into their lives and let them know that God is (in control),” Kearns said. “One thing I wish I knew when I was at Liberty, and what I try to pass onto the guys I pastor, is to compete from acceptance and not for acceptance (because) we’re already accepted by the Lord of the universe. It frees you up to be the kind of person He created you to be.”

Kearns also exhorts athletes to live from the eternal victory that Christ has already won, through His death and resurrection, and not for the temporary victory on their respective playing fields.

When he was at LBC, which became Liberty University soon after he graduated, many of Kearns’ teammates did not have a saving relationship with the Lord upon joining the Flames.

“The goal (was) that they would leave knowing Christ,” he said.

Flames Football’s Director of Spiritual Development Ed Gomes (’76), who played a major part on the call and said the closing prayer, testified that the team still has that same goal today.

“This year, we’ve had a number of guys get saved, and we’ve had a number of guys get off the fence and become more intentional about their relationship with God,” he said. “(Senior) Malik (Willis) was the spiritual leader of the quarterbacks, and I can tell you Malik is the real deal. He lives out his relationship with God every day. It’s not about him; it’s about others.”

Gomes expressed his appreciation to the founding players such as Kearns and Rodney Gladfelter (’80), as well as more recent graduates who were on the video call, including Brandon Apon (’14), for building strong roots for the team’s spiritual growth, which has led to continued success on the scoreboard and beyond.

“My heart is full of gratitude for the value you have brought to the program, and there’s no way I can express that,” he said. “When I listen to you guys, I feel like I’m representing you guys. You guys were a part of the foundation and my desire is to hold those things that were important to you guys up. Every chance I get, I try to tell these young guys about you guys, and the commitment that you guys made — when you didn’t have anything (in the way of facilities), you guys gave everything.”

>> Read complete Flames Football and LendingTree Bowl coverage on the Liberty Athletics website. Watch Saturday’s showdown on ESPN or listen to the LFSN radio broadcast on The Journey 88.3-FM.

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