Ralph Fisher and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes
Six years ago, Ralph Fisher was a self-proclaimed agnostic, not knowing or caring if God existed–until God began calling him. “I was not going to come easy to Him, so He came to me,” Ralph recalled. After years of struggling with sleep apnea, he finally found relief and recognized God's hand in his healing. Shortly afterwards, he witnessed his father's faith in a diagnosis of cancer, and realized that he did not know the Savior that sustained his dad. “I asked Jesus to change me,” Ralph said, “and the results were explosive. I immediately felt the desire to witness to others, and began searching for ways to serve Him.”
Feeling rather “green”, Ralph's faith grew as he went door-to-door witnessing, attended classes on how to evangelize, and went on a mission trip with his son. He crossed paths with a mature Christian friend involved with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, who had been praying for God to send someone to help him out. “You're it!” he told Ralph–and Ralph's “proper time” with the FCA began.
Ralph now serves at Oakhaven High School during football season with Bob Earwood. The players have come to count on a hearty pre-game meal, provided by our church, and served by Ralph and Bob. The players can bow their heads in prayer as others bless them and call for their protection. Ralph knows the importance of the meal and the devotion time, but most importantly, he knows the impact of just being there for the team, a simple blessing that was tested this year. Though his heart is mighty for the Lord, even a heart like his can become physically weakened, and Ralph was hospitalized for a heart condition near the end of the season. “I just knew I had to be at the game, regardless–it was the first round of playoffs,” said Ralph. “I talked my doctors and my wife into letting me get out in time to be on the sidelines.” The Oakhaven players dedicated that game to “Fish,” and won big.
The FCA puts on special services with invitations to accept Christ. In his four years of volunteering, Ralph has seen more than 100 kids come forward. FCA volunteers will tell of getting texts and emails from former students, telling them of the powerful work God is doing in their lives. Mostly, though, the volunteers must be content with planting the seeds and trusting for the rest. “Football is a fall sport, played during the harvest time of year,” reflected Ralph. “I know God can use us to impact lives and change hearts. But most of the work we do, we won't see the harvest till we get to heaven. But if we're not out there for the harvest, we're not out there for the right reason.”