HSU & OBU Fellowship of Christian Athletes

The Battle of the Ravine describes the rivalry between two colleges in a small town in Arkansas called Arkadelphia. The rivalry began in 1895 between Arkadelphia Methodist College (now Henderson State University) and Ouachita College (now Ouachita Baptist University). The reddies of HSU and the tigers of OBU both compete in the Gulf South Conference of the NCAA Division II. It is a fierce rivalry with rich history to this day; however, the Fellowship of Christian Athletes has made them a little closer.

This past February the two schools were united in Christ through the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.

As the spring semester of 2010 started Henderson State University had a solid FCA huddle on campus up and running. Current HSU volleyball coach Rhonda Thigpen along with help from FCA president Michelle Long led the group for the most part. Numbers at the FCA meeting were good but not great, however the Holy Spirit was definitely present.

It was around the end of February when the uniting of schools began. It all started at an FCA retreat, which was hosted by South Central Arkansas FCA area representative, Stan May and family. The retreat was for both HSU and OBU students to get an opportunity to fellowship and grow closer, or start a walk with Jesus Christ.

Robert Upshaw speaking at the FCA retreat

It was expected for some 50 plus students from both colleges to attend, but what was unexpected was for everyone to leave as one. One body of students brought together by faith as brothers and sisters in Christ.

The retreat was an event packed weekend that included: worship, games, great food and most of all fellowship among students.

“You can’t create this,” South Central Arkansas FCA area representative Micah May said about the retreat. “Everyone was open, and it wasn’t about where you were from, but where you are in Christ. It was a dream come true.”  May said.

It really was a dream come true because it seemed so surreal. As rivals schools it is almost ingrained in your head the OBU is the enemy if you go to HSU and visa versa. As athletes we put so much pride in our sport that our behavior is affected off the playing field. We learn to despise the opposition in order to bring out the best competitive sprit in ourselves and become accustomed to it. Although we are still rivals on the playing venue, the time spent together at the FCA retreat in February made many realize how connected we are to each other regardless of what school we attend.

The FCA retreat was about putting grudges from past games aside and coming together as people, specifically people with one thing in common above all else: becoming a Christian first, and Athlete second.

Micah May was not the only one who felt the Holy Spirit during the retreat. Many students poured their heart out about their walk with Christ during an open-mic section of the retreat.

HSU FCA president Michelle Long is ecstatic about the past semester spent with ‘rival’ school OBU and looks forward to the future with the schools joined through FCA.

“I love that we came together,” Long said in regards to the two bodies of students. “It was motivational to see such large numbers together and I made a lot of new friends. I just loved the fact that we could get together even if we are from different schools. The fellowship was awesome, I love it!” Long stated.

A group of students-athletes praying together at the FCA retreat

That motivation turned into action after the retreat. Many contacts were formed during that weekend and the idea of combining HSU’s FCA, which had already been started; with OBU, which was in the process of developing, a huddle was proposed by many.

That next week Rhonda Thigpen made the connection with OBU’s FCA president John Johnson and invited OBU to come to a FCA meeting and Henderson’s campus.

In general, going from campus to campus is not something that many students do because of the rivalry in Arkadelphia. The two schools are literally across the street, but location usually doesn’t bring the students together in any way, but God can.

And God did, as OBU brought about 40 students to the HSU basketball gym where the FCA meeting was being held. It was a shock but not a surprise for many too see such large numbers of about 60 total students.

The FCA meeting picked up where the retreat left off, as it was a great time of fellowship between the students from different schools.

“Even though we compete against each other, we serve one God,” OBU FCA President John Johnson said. “ We are rivals but we came together in Christ. Our kids got to know each other better and fellowship in Jesus’ name. The retreat really kicked things off for both of us (HSU & OBU) to begin to have a joint FCA.”

After the first meeting the two schools continued to combine FCA meetings. Sometimes meetings were held at HSU and sometimes at OBU. And as the semester progressed the connection between FCA groups grew stronger.

The relationships continued out side the scheduled FCA meetings. Friendships blossomed and many students from both schools started to hang out together in less formal settings during the week and on weekends.

As the semester came to an end the connection between FCA huddles continues and both schools plan to work together again next semester.

“It’s not always about rivalry,” OBU student-athlete Westley Martin said. “You can’t be rivals in heaven. I feel that the joining of schools through FCA happened because we approached it as Christian, not as reddies and tigers. It was great that we could come together and I really hope we continue it to next year.” Martin said.

One aspect used often by people who talked about the combining of FCA’s was unity. ‘I love that we can come together as Christians’. ‘I have made many new friends that I am still in contact with. ‘It really brought the two schools together.’

Anyone who was a part of the joining of HSU and OBU’s FCA will tell you how important to him or her the connection between the schools is. However, what’s more important is to realize where it all started.

Colossians 3:14 in the Holman Christian Standard Bible says, “Above all, [put on] love—the perfect bond of unity.”

With a rivalry dating back over one hundred years between schools across the street, it is obvious that a deep connection like that of FCA is God work.

The Fellowship of Christian Athletes in Arkadelphia, AR has made a stand to be competitors on the field but brothers and sisters in Christ at all times.

Name: Stephanie Batchelder

Hometown: Chico, CA

Sport: Volleyball

Position: Setter

Favorite Bible Verse: Jeremiah 29:13 “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” (NIV)

Despite being a very humble person Stephanie Batchelder has great confidence in her faith in her Lord and savior Jesus Christ. Her favorite bible verse speaks truth in her life as she strives to seek the Lord with her whole heart everyday.

Batchelder grew up in Chico, California where she went to Pleasant Valley High School and played both volleyball and basketball. After high school Batchelder attended College of the Siskiyous where she continued to play both sports.

At COS she was an all-conference selection in volleyball two years in a row. Although she had great success at the junior college level, Batchelder had planned to give up sports after her last season. However her junior college coach pushed her to pursue volleyball in college as she was getting recruited to play by several schools.

Bacthelder accepted a volleyball scholarship to Henderson mainly because she “felt good about this place”.

So far her ‘good feeling’ has led her to success at Henderson. Batchelder really enjoys her time at Henderson and had a very productive season in volleyball in 2009. In her first year at Henderson Batchelder helped the reddies reach the conference tournament and led the team with 672 assists on the season.

Batchelder did not grow up in a Christian home. She wasn’t forced to go to church on Sundays or forced to say grace before meals. She went to church for the first time when she was a teenager and began to get involved in several ministries.

She gave her heart to Christ on a mission trip to Mexico. There she helped local people by building houses along with a church group. Batchelder also volunteered at a Christian camp on weekends during her senior year called Woodlief.

“I can always depend on the Lord, He’s always there for me when I’m low,” Batchelder said. “He gave you the ability to play (sports) so it’s important to recognize him for that.”

Batchelder has become more comfortable sharing her faith with others as she has grown herself in faith.

Batchelder went through some rough times in junior college in which God was not her priority but has made a stand to seek Him with her whole heart and now lives for Him.

“My advice to the upcoming Christian-student-athlete is to be who you are, and don’t be afraid of who you are. Stick to what you believe in regardless of what is happening around you.”

Batchelder is on track to receive her BA in recreation. She then plans to earn a Masters in recreation and become the graduate assistant at HSU. She eventually hopes to coach or become an athletic director but is willing to do “whatever God has planned for me.”

Sport: Basketball

Position: Small Forward

Hometown: Kirby, Arkansas

Favorite Bible Verse: Philippians 4:13 “I am able to do all things through Him who strengthens me.”

Whisenhunt, in white, driving to the lane

Lucas Whisenhunt is a soft-spoken man of god. He is a great athlete but he is very humble and gives glory to God for his accomplishments.

Whisenhunt grew up in Kirby, AR where he went to Kirby High School. He had great success in basketball at Kriby earning all-state honors three years in a row from his sophomore to his senior year.

Whisenhunt accepted a basketball scholarship to Henderson because it was close to Kirby and he liked the head coach, Sam Weaver. Since he has been at Henderson, Whisenhunt has been a three-year starter and is expected to start next season as a senior.

Whisenhunt was raised in a Christian home as his whole family attended a local Missionary Baptist Church. Although he was baptized at a young age, by the time Whisenhunt was about thirteen or fourteen he felt the need to change in his faith.

“I could just feel something was missing”, Whisenhunt said. “I cried out to the Lord saying, I need you, something’s missing.”

You could say that Whisenhunt’s cry for help was answered. Ever since that day he cried out to God he has had a personal, intimate relationship with Christ.

In high school Whisenhunt was involved in ministries such as FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes). He continues to attend FCA meetings at Henderson.

“My faith helps me to not get so caught up in basketball, it helps me realize that there is more to life than basketball, such as my faith,” Whisenhunt said.

Whisenhunt is a Chemistry major and is undecided about his plans after college. He possibly will attend grad school and when asked about ministry he said that would have to be something he felt called to do so.

Name: Garrett Eller

Hometown: Sherwood, Arkansas

Sport: Baseball

Position: First Base

Favorite Bible Verse: Romans 8: 18 “I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.” (NIV)

Garrett Eller is one of the few, not one of the many. A selfless individual, Eller is more concerned with helping others that himself. He has a deep love for God and pours it into people like the counselor he plans to be in the future.

Eller grew up in Sherwood, Arkansas where he attended Sylvan Hills High School. Because Sylvan Hills is known as a baseball powerhouse, which during the 2009 season finished ranked second in the state of Arkansas, Eller saw limited playing time until his senior year in which he didn’t disappoint.

Eller’s senior year he had a batting average of an impressive .450 with one home run. He was then recruited by Henderson State to come walk on. Since he’s arrived at Henderson State he’s been behind two upper classmen but playing time in the next couple of years looks highly likely Eller said.

“I’m having fun right now” Eller stated in regards to the issue of playing time. Eller has developed a reputation around the team as a man of faith and a go-to-guy when teammates need someone to talk to about their problems.

Eller second from the right, along with some HSU teammates

Eller has a heart for others just as he has a heart for Christ. He is a psychology major and plans to work in counseling after college.

Eller grew up in a Christian home and has worked with kids as a Sunday school teacher at his church home in Little Rock. Eller sees himself possibly working for his church, First Assembly of God in the future as a counselor involved in ministry.

“I love my church. I like helping people and talking to them about their problems,” Eller said in regards to a possible future working for his church.

Eller demonstrated his love for God as well as people in high school by picking up groups of people and taking them t church in his mom’s van. “I used to struggle with forcing faith on my friends,” Eller said. “But one saying an older friend told me helped change that.”

The friend told Eller, “people don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.”

Eller said that it was after this point in his life that he realized that it is not he bringing people to Christ; its Christ bringing people to Christ and Eller is just lending a hand.

Eller claims his faith in Christ helps him tremendously in his everyday life, specifically in athletics. “Being a walk-on, Jesus helps me by encouraging me and reminding me why I am here and what is important.” Although Eller loves baseball it’s obvious that what’s most important to him are his faith as a Christian and his love for others.

Eller second from the right with his high school friends

What’s Garret Eller’s advice to the upcoming Christian-student-athlete striving to live for God?

“Pray for humility, stay in the word, surround yourself with other Christians because accountability is a huge thing. Remember where your talent came from and use your sport as a platform to glorify God. And remember that you are on that platform as an athlete so watch your reputation on and off the field.”

Sport: Volleyball

Hometown: Norco, CA

Position: Middle Blocker

Favorite Bible Verse: 1 Timothy 4:12 NIV “Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.”

Michelle Long is a strong willed individual that is unashamed to look to Christ for her identity in this world. Her trust in the Lord in every way makes her very admirable as a person of faith.

Long grew up in Norco, California where she attended Norco High as a three sport athlete competing in volleyball, basketball and track. After high school she attended Mt SAC, a community college in southern California. At Mt. SAC she was a two time all conference athlete in volleyball as well as the conference leader in blocks as a sophomore. Long was then offered a scholarship by Henderson State and chose to accept the offer.

“I just knew this was the place for me”, Long stated about Henderson State. “God has a plan for me out here, I just don’t know what it is at the moment.

The volleyball coach at Henderson State, Coach Thigpen was also a bigger factor in Long’s decision to leave home. Thigpen is a strong Christian herself and is in charge of the on campus ministry Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA).

Upon arriving at the HSU campus Long excelled in both volleyball as well as ministry. In 2009 Long was #7 in the Gulf South Conference for blocks. She also became involved with FCA with Coach Thigpen in the fall before becoming a leader in the group in the spring semester 2010.

Long will be a senior in the fall of 2010 with high expectations from both herself and Coach Thigpen.

After college Long plans to move back to California, specifically somewhere in the Norco area. “I want to become established and settle down after college.” Long is studying to become a nurse and wants to become more involved in a church when she graduates from school.

Long claims that she will most likely do a little bit of coaching volleyball on the side but does not plan to play or coach full time after the 2010 season.

Q and A with Michelle Long

Nick Johnson: Why is it important to you to have a strong faith?

Michelle Long: “My mom always told me to be one of the few, not one of the many. I grew up in a Christian home and have always gone to church.”

NJ: How has you faith helped you to deal with stressful times as a college student-athlete?

ML: “My faith allows me to take a deep breath and let everything go when time are rough. It’s comfortable to know that you can lean on God for understanding.”

NJ: Why is it important to be outspoken about your faith as an athlete?

ML: “My faith in God keeps me on track. It also gives me purpose. People tend to see the light in you, especially your teammates.”

NJ: What is your advice for the up-coming student athlete that strives to live for God?

ML: “Get involved in a Christian community of some sort. Stay true to your faith and don’t let anything get away from you because in the end its so worth it to live a life of faith.”

Name: Ricky Davis

Sport: Football

Hometown: Los Angeles, CA

Sport: Football

Position: Cornerback

Favorite Bible Verse: Philippians 4:13 “I am able to do all things through Him who strengthens me.”

Ricky Davis is a determined individual that loves to be focused. He loves football but he also loves God and includes him in his everyday life. Davis was brought up going to church with his mom and two sisters. He is a man of faith and loves to read his bible everyday. When asked how he stays in touch with his faith Davis replied, “pray and stay in my word.”

Davis grew up in Los Angeles California where he attended Eaglerock high school. He played football only his senior year, in which he played all over the field at many different positions. It was at that point that Davis realized what his favorite sport was: football. Davis graduated from Eaglerock High in 2005 and enrolled at Glendale Community College in Glendale, CA. In 2007 as a sophomore, Davis ran track and was a part of a 4 by 400 meter relay team that placed 7^th in the state meet making them all-americans.

After being an all-conference selection in football at Glendale Davis signed a football scholarship to Henderson state university. In 2008 at HSU Davis played in all ten games and recorded 31 tackles and 2 pass break ups.

Davis has one more season of eligibility left in college and plans to continue his career into the pros. He hopes to play in the NFL and is willing to work as hard as he possibly can to accomplish that goal.

Davis claims that his faith is very important to him as an athlete because “without God I know I wouldn’t be here, without Him guiding me.”

Davis’s biggest struggle from his faith over the years is “being prideful”, he said. But what keeps him grounded is reading his bible and meditating on his favorite bible verse, Phil 4:13: “I am able to do all things through Him who strengthens me.” “Since I can do anything with him, without him I am nothing,” Davis said when talking about the verse.

At his junior college, Davis said he struggled with partying hard and getting into trouble but his will to seek God’s wisdom through the bible pulled him out of that hole. He is now alcohol and drug free and focused on things that are more important to him such as faith, school and football.

Ricky Davis’s faith has opened up opportunities for himself as well as a testimony to others. “ My best advice for the upcoming student-athlete who is Christian is: keep God first, obey authority and seek wisdom.