Chris Borland has retired.

You may wonder why our youth ministry, Greater Canton Youthquake, is starting its blog this way. True, our radio show tries to mention current topics - in fact, this is one thing our blog is helpful for, since we tape shows weeks in advance. But, what has the retirement of a player just after his rookie season got to do with the Bible or ministry? There are several things to consider.

Being an inner-city ministry, one thing we try to do - when we have enough volunteers - is sports ministry through things like flag football and basketball, since young people enjoy sports and through sports we can bring them the Gospel. Tackle football is becoming more of an issue, now that we know so much about concussions. The risk of CTE is greater the more concussions one has. Patrick Willis and quarterback Jake Locker have also retired, and Hall of Famers Troy Aikman and Steve Young retired early because of concussions. Willis is possibly, even probably, a Hall of Famer too.

This is not just about football, however. This is a story about what some people will go through to do what they love.

For some of course, it is more than that. There are some people  in inner cities, and even some rural areas areas, who play sports to escape the mean streets and must excel in their minds, to avoid getting in trouble. Curtis Martin's Hall of Fame speech is an extreme example, but the point is that many young people need someone to be able to mentor them and show them how a relationship with Jesus Christ can give them peace, hope, love, comfort, and so much more despite their circumstances. It's youth like that we yearn to reach. Especially because it is worth noting that only a small percentage of players can make a major college team and get noticed, & a much smaller percentage can reach the pros. This is true no matter what sport.

A personal relationship with Jesus offers so much more than sports, though. Of course, one can play a sport and still be active in ministry. Tim Tebow is a good example, and some say Willis will spend his time working with youth in his native Tennessee now.

However, life is short, eternity is long, siri is great, but grace is greater. The love that Jesus provides needs to be shared throughout the world. And often that sharing needs to begin here in America, in our inner cities. People are still willing to jeopardize their health to play pro football - various ESPn radio personalities have said that when one retires, there are often 10 ready to take his place. But, are we willing to risk anything to spread the Gospel?

We at Quest for Truth are using many different vehicles to spread the Gospel, and becasue of the Internet they can reach quite far. This blog could be read anywhere in the world. Our heart is with the greater Canton area, where so many unchurched youth - as well as those in churches which do not preach the Gospel - need a chance to receive Jesus Christ as Savior and grow in Him. But, you, the reader, might be in a totally different area where there might be youth that you can reach.

We need your help. I know this sounds strange, because you could be on the other side of the world from us. Your prayers are greatly needed, though, as we can't do what we would like without a ministry vehicle.

However we would also like to ask: What are you doing in your community? Is there an area you could serve? If your church does not have one, you could start a ministry for them, such as a "Sidewalk Sunday School" usinga portable sound system. Or, you could go out and distribute Gospel tracts - you can find good ones online at several different places, some of them free. (Note: When you hand out tracts door to door, put them in the door, NEVER in a mailbox, the post office only allows mail to be put in mailboxes) Some people even hand out Bibles - get good KJV New Testaments and pass them out on a corner or something.You could work in a soup kitchen, or just go door to door to door and share God's love and forgiveness. Simply ask the Lord to open doors, open your eyes, and open your heart to those who need God's love.

They may not be able to overcome the streets on their own, but Jesus promises in John 16:33, "I this world you will have tribulation, but be of good cheer, for I have overcome the world." And, if you need specifics on how to do such things, or other ideas, feel free to e-mail us. Because, the harvest is plentious, but the laborers are few. Therefore, wherever you are, there are certainly souls which need to be won to the Lord.