UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA FCA NEWSLETTER September 11, 2002

ALAN WARD, FORMER BAMA KICKER, NOW FCA STAFF

IS TONIGHT’S FCA SPEAKER AT 9 O’CLOCK

Alan Ward was an All-American place kicker at Escambia High School in Pensacola and the team’s star running back was Emmitt Smith of Dallas Cowboys fame.

Alan came to Alabama in 1986 and lettered three seasons ending his career in 1991. Alabama teams played in the Hall of Fame, Sugar and Fiesta Bowls while he gave his services to the specialty teams.

Perhaps his finest contribution was his Christian leadership and his strong convictions that shown in his life on a daily basis. In 1990, his teammates voted him the Charlie Compton Award for outstanding Christian leadership and service. Alan was a strong FCA leader as a student, yielding his reign to Jay Barker who followed him.

This month, Alan celebrates his 10^th year as a full time FCA staff member. He is Area Representative for five counties, which includes 143 schools in north central Alabama. He has served admirably and has touched hundreds of lives through his ministry. Alan and his wife Karey, a former Samford golfer, have two small children. They live in Birmingham.

Tonight, we will also remember the day a year ago when the terrorists attacked America. Alan will make reference to that day in his message and we will pledge allegiance to the flag and have a stirring rendition of our national anthem.

Come and worship tonight at 9 at the College Annex across from Calvary Church.

THOUGHTS

“A year ago terror showed up unannounced. It didn’t call ahead. And because it didn’t, when we opened the door to see who was there we discovered three thousand were dead. Instead of business as usual, Wall Street closed. A street without walls took stock in what really matters. Precious metals lacked their normal luster when compared to precious lives. When the Big Apple was shaken to the core by jet-size bullets, the entire nation quaked. Caught off guard, Americans didn’t fake courage. Patriotic hearts beat as one but raced in fear. Seizing whatever faith we had, we fell to our knees. We could tell that pledging allegiance to the flag could not take the place of calling out to God.

“It was a day that proved that those who live in the land of the free and the home of the brave know how to behave when push comes to shove and terror comes to stay. We pray. But only then? The 11^th of September calls us to remember (and understand) that a nation can only be indivisible under God. We can’t just fly a flag. We have to fold our hands. Suffice it to say, we’ve been called to pray. Not just when terror rings the bell. But every single day.”…Prayer by Rev. Greg Asimakoupoulos