UK coach Will Stein needs church faith for football season

UK coach Will Stein needs church faith for football season | Opinion Coach, fear runs through the faithful on Saturday at Kroger Field. The congregation Sunday 'ain't skeered.' Show Caption Hide Caption Will Stein sees progress as Kentucky wraps second scrimmage Kentucky football coach Will Stein says the Wildcats got better as a whole playing in their final scrimmage game compared to their first scrimmage. A pastor responds to a viral quote from University of Kentucky football coach Will Stein. Churchgoers are courageous, not frightened, as the coach's quote implied. The fear of UK football fans is contrasted with the faith of church congregations. The new football coach at the University of Kentucky, Will Stein, made memes a few months back by telling fans, 'If you're scared, go to church, bro.' He was responding to questions about the daunting schedule that UK football faces this fall. As a UK football fan, I love the confidence. As a pastor, I think Coach Stein should go to church. He will find the faithful, not the frightened. The crowd gathered on Sunday morning is different from the crowd gathered on Saturday at Kroger Field. Even with a stadium name and coaching change, the enthusiastic Saturday crowd still remembers: Chris Doering's game-winning catch. Marty Moore not falling down. Guy Morriss' Gatorade bath 13 seconds before the 'Bluegrass Miracle.' Jared Lorenzen up 21 against Florida starting the fourth quarter. WKU in overtime at Commonwealth. Denzil Ware and a trash can. 28-0, insert Lamar Jackson. The clock running out in The Swamp. Not covering the receivers … twice. The punt that led to a 13-12 Georgia victory. God forbid … the running quarterback! Coach, fear runs through the faithful on Saturday at Kroger Field. The congregation Sunday "ain't skeered." Church is for the courageous On Sunday, you will find a couple in their 90s facing life's challenges together. A wife in her 80s who cares for her dying husband. A retired accountant in her 70s managing church finances while caring for grandkids. A pastor in her 60s retiring after a career in which every church questioned her right and ability to lead. A son in his 50s who cares for his elderly parents while working and making sure his kids can graduate. A teacher in her 40s who stepped up to lead the children's and youth ministry when no one else volunteered. A couple in their 30s fostering three children. A single person in his 20s discerning God's plan for his life. A teenager leading a Bible study with his football team. A middle schooler deciding to follow Christ. A kid learning that with faith she can defeat any giant standing in the way. An immigrant trying to better his circumstances. People of all ages in recovery being strong and courageous one day at a time. Opinion: I know how violent a World Cup loss can be. I lived it. Coach, you've got Alabama week 2. Go to church. Surround yourself with faithful people who will help you kick, pass and run 'til life's battles are won. They aren't scared. They are faithful. Their faith makes them strong and courageous through life's battles that are not games. They do not remember the ball being dropped. Like the heroes before, they fix their eyes on the perfector of their faith and run the race set before them while singing 'Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father.' Through the power of the Holy Spirit, they face life's challenges as a team even when they don't understand where the coach is going. Coach, go to church. Fans, put your hope in the One who loves you, desires a relationship with you and has a great plan for your life. The One with a plan consisting of multiple plays when it is first-, second-, third-, fourth-and-goal from the 1 against Texas. The One who, for the love of God, would throw the ball or at least run a sweep against the best defensive line in the country. Tough schedule ahead? Surround yourself with the strong and courageous saints this Sunday at a church in your community. And on, on U of K ... Tell us what you think. Submit your letter to the editor. Rev. Derek Robinette is senior pastor at Crestwood United Methodist Church. He can be reached at: derek@crestwoodmethodist.com.