When asked about which is the greatest commandment, Jesus said that loving God is the first and that loving your neighbor as yourself is the second (Matthew 22:36-40). Jesus also repeatedly stressed the selflessness that people need to have in helping others.
Over the last week, the Union athletic department has been a model of these teachings of Christ.
In the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey, millions of people are in need of clothing, food and other equipment. Most of the national attention has shifted to Florida, but it could still take years for Houston to fully recover. The city desperately needs help from the outside to help with the recovery process. With the athletic department leading the charge, Union University is doing its part to aid the people of Houston.
It all began with the efforts of Jonathan Allen, Assistant Professor of Athletic Training, and Clay Mallard, the head coach of both the Bulldog and Lady Bulldog’s golf teams. Kelvin Sampson, the head basketball coach of the University of Houston, has asked for coaches around the country to send in clothes and shoes to help the people of Houston. When Allen and Mallard heard about it, they immediately began emailing other coaches on campus to participate with their players. It really was a case of great minds thinking alike.
“I got involved on a whim,” Allen said. “I thought Coach Mallard had the same idea, so we just thought that we would piggyback it together. It really is amazing of how much participation we have had so far.”
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Players from many Union sports teams soon started bringing huge amounts of clothes, shoes, and other supplies in the small gym. McKenna Montgomery, a sophomore on the women’s basketball team, is proud of the work that other Union student-athletes have done.
“It’s really good to see the whole athletic department come together to support the people in Houston,” Montgomery said. “It’s a great practical way to make a difference.”
When times of adversity and sorrow come, God calls His people to be a light that points to Him. Through the charity of the Union athletic department, Union University is fulfilling that specific task.
