Grace and Temple tailgating together?

At the recent Grace/Temple football game another first occurred before the assumed other first happened. It was assumed that Temple would beat Grace outside on the football field to go on to be the first TTA football team in the history of the school to go undefeated. What was not a well known fact was that before that “first” took place another first, perhaps with even greater significance than the former would take place inside the gymnasium on that cold rainy night. That first was an indoor tailgating social organized by the two school’s FCA, Fellowship of Christian Athletes clubs. “The event was a collaborative effort on the part of both Terry Knecht and me with assistance and total support from Les Compton, Grace Academy’s Athletic Director,” said Rob Eldridge, TTA’s Director of Development and Public/Alumni Relations who is also the FCA Huddle Coach at TTA. “Terry and I began talking and praying about doing something like this back in August when we first met at an FCA function. We just “happened” to be in the same group at an event neither of us had planned to attend.” “It was like we had known each other for years,” Terry, Grace’s FCA Huddle coach and the school’s chaplain commented. “We both began sharing our burden to see our schools repair the damage 20 years of unchecked rivalry had created. It’s an example of God’s providence and His desire to see restoration amongst believers. There’s a real proble m when we have referees who don’t want to officiate our matches because of the way our “fans” act,” Terry said. “Once school started we approached both of our Huddles with the idea of working on restoration and the students were up for the idea. It’s obvious that God has been working behind the scenes on this to happen,” Mr. Eldridge commented. Grace, the host for the first tailgate, supplied food and drink for 50 people. What occurred was a little short of a miracle. Over 70 people from Grace and Temple showed up. The Grace FCA praise team, led by Philip on the guitar led the group in singing for over 10 minutes which was followed by a time of prayer led by Dr. Pearson, the Headmaster for TTA. “We look forward to hosting a tailgate for Grace at our gym during basketball season,” said Brandon Harrison, the senior TTA FCA Huddle Captain. “Our FCA huddle has brought new excitement to our school this year and we are so glad Mr. Eldridge is at our school and is our Huddle Coach. He is a dreamer and not afraid of anything. He is always talking to us about Legacy and what are we going to do this year that will make a difference for years to come. We are excited to be a part of the Legacy of Restoration between Temple and Grace. At first we weren’t too sure about the idea but we are glad we decided to do this.” The event was attended by Grace’s Head principal Mark Turner who spoke openly to the crowd of his appreciation for the event and what it represented and of his support in future endeavors involving the two schools. You can view his comments on the event at http://www.gracechatt.org/Default.aspx?tabid=110 in the November issue of Principal Points.