College football has been around as an organized sport since 1869, when Rutgers played what is now Princeton University. It took a while, though, for it to come to its fruition in what we now recognize as the various divisions of the NCAA and all of its conferences. Even those took some time to become what we know today. The SEC, in fact, first included Georgia Tech, Tulane, and Sewanee!
But though organized college football may have begun in 1869, it was November 2, 1898, before the first man climbed a fence, ran onto the field and attempted to rouse the fans with a cheer. His name was Johnny Campbell of the University of Minnesota. Before long, others joined him, and yes, in the beginning it seems that they were all young men. It was World War II when most of the young men were off fighting a war before young women stepped in as what were first called "yell leaders." We now call them cheerleaders.
It isn't just sports teams who need a cheerleader. I suppose the first true cheerleader for the church might have been Barnabas. Here was a wealthy man, a good man and full of faith, who not only sold a piece of property and gave the money for the aid of needy Christians (translate that to property prices today for an eye opener), but who was so encouraging to others that the apostles nicknamed him, "son of encouragement/exhortation/consolation" whichever your translation chooses. He was a man of patience who gently prodded others to become what he knew they could be—John Mark, for example. He was a man of trust and courage as he introduced the former persecutor Paul to the church in Jerusalem and then went with him to work with the church at Antioch where they received and taught Gentiles. Truly if there was ever a cheerleader in the church it was Barnabas.
We all need a cheerleader sometimes. I remember clearly the many times friends have gone with me when I was asked to speak, especially in the early days. Their friendly faces in the audience spurred me on when the topic became touchy, though necessary. Students in Bible classes can do the same for teachers. Elders need people who encourage the members to follow them, speaking of their wise decisions and the good that can come from their plans, instead of goading them into rebellion. Evangelists need the same. For some reason, we seem far more prone to DIScouraging than ENcouraging, and that simply ought not to be. Imagine a cheerleader screaming, "Lose team! Lose, lose, lose!"
But we beseech you, brethren, to know them that labor among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; and to esteem them exceeding highly in love for their work's sake… 1Thess5:12,13.
But let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teaches in all good things Gal6:6.
God designed the church as a fellowship that helped each other. That is why we cannot be a servant of God without being a part of the people of God. We hold each other up and yes, we cheer each other on, especially when trials abound. Blessed [is] God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and God of all comfort, who is comforting us in all our tribulation, for our being able to comfort those in any tribulation through the comfort with which we are comforted ourselves by God; because, as the sufferings of the Christ abound to us, so through the Christ our comfort also abounds; and whether we be in tribulation, [it is] for your comfort and salvation, that is worked in the enduring of the same sufferings that we also suffer; whether we are comforted, [it is] for your comfort and salvation; and our hope [is] steadfast for you, knowing that even as you are partakers of the sufferings—so also of the comfort 2Cor1:3-7.
You may think you have nothing to offer the "team," but when you do so, you are arguing with the plan of God. When you feel helpless at the plight of others and don't know what to do, you can always cheer.
And the hand of the Lord was with them: and a great number that believed turned unto the Lord. And the report concerning them came to the ears of the church which was in Jerusalem: and they sent forth Barnabas as far as Antioch: who, when he was come, and had seen the grace of God, was glad; and he exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord: for he was a good man, and full of the Holy Spirit and of faith: and much people was added unto the Lord. And he went forth to Tarsus to seek for Saul; and when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that even for a whole year they were gathered together with the church, and taught much people, and that the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch Acts11: 21-26.
Dene Ward
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