Call to Commitment

  

God begins to take His rightful place at Enosberg High School

 We present Part II of the story of Coach Matt Luneau, which we published first eight years ago. We re-published the first part last week, May 3^rd, because I think we need to be reminded of it again. It is not really the story of Matt, as much as it is the story of God at work in this 21^st Century…

 You might want to review the February 13 newspaper article (see it in the May 3^rd article) about Matt and emails written by him that we posted here. Matt and his family attend the church in Swanton, where our son, Dan, is pastor. He has found a job, coaching a high school basketball team. Dan received the email from Matt that follows my comments.

 I want to take a paragraph to honor Ilze, Matt’s wife, who has stood beside her husband through thick and thin, while raising three girls. She shares the same raging passion to share the gospel and often they walk together into public parks and begin to talk with anyone, who will listen. Ilze also shares Christ through an unbelievable ability to dribble basketballs… up to six at a time! She uses her opportunities to give her testimony in little talks after she performs. She has even done feats before Jay Leno and at halftime at NBA and college games.

 I thought no one could talk about God in a public school activity, especially in a liberal state like Vermont. I thought there could be no songs that mentioned God or Christ. Apparently, I was wrong. Or maybe I’m right, but here is a Christian that ignores those phony challenges and goes after souls! Dan wrote me that Matt and his wife, Ilze, are doing everything that needs to be done, in order for him to get fired. But so far, nobody’s talking about firing him. In fact, as you have already read, he is making a thrilling impression, not only on the boys he coaches, but on school officials. Go for it, Matt!! Pray for him, people!!

 

Now the Lord spoke to Paul in the night by a vision, "Do not be afraid, but speak, and do not keep silent; for I am with you, and no one will attack you to hurt you; for I have many people in this city.  And he continued there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them.                                   Acts 18:9-11

 The last two nights (Saturday and Sunday) our boys basketball team at Enosburg has been rehearsing together singing "Victory In Jesus" and "Lord I Give You My Heart".  We have been practicing so that we can sing at local churches, as we will be singing at Swanton Christian Church in a couple weeks. I have been watching these guys who have never sung, and now they are singing together Christian songs.  It is something that they have never done.  I have even been a little worried that this is so new for the guys that it might be a distraction from them playing basketball as we play #3 ranked team in the state, Fairfax, tonight.  

 But, here is what happened…

 So tonight we played Fairfax and were down the whole game, and Eric Savoy (whose story was told earlier in the first segment) hit a 3 pointer right at the end of the third quarter to give us our first lead by 1 point.  In between quarters our athletic director Chris Brigham, went into his office and he said he prayed.  He said "Jesus these guys are doing so much for You, they are even singing to You and singing for You.  Jesus just help them win this for You."   We ended up winning the game by 14 points, and now have won 5 games in a row, and playing by far the best ball all year.    Our focus has been Jesus, love and hugs, and saying "I love you".    I just texted one of my players, Brandon Gleason (You will read Brandon’s remarkable story in the next segment.) after the win "Oh Victory!  In JESUS!”  He texted back "MY SAVIOR FOREVER!" 

 Praise the Lord!! 

 Please keep praying for us.

Matt

 Oh victory in Jesus, my Savior forever,

He sought me and bought me, with His redeeming blood;

He love me ere I knew Him, and all my love is due Him,

He plunged me to victory, beneath the cleansing flood.

 For He is able to do exceedingly abundantly more than what we can ask or think!! Ephesians 3:20

 Why does a man leave a job at a university (Syracuse), famous for its sports program, where he received a much better salary and had a much brighter future, to receive much less, training a high school basketball team? It doesn’t seem logical. Matt Luneau answers that question in the following email, received by Dan just yesterday, April 28, 2013:

 Just to share:

 Last Thursday our family took a drive back to Syracuse planning on spending the rest of the week visiting friends.   When we got to Syracuse we first took a drive in front of our old house which is a much bigger house than we are in now, with a lot of great memories back in Syracuse.  It was strange, it brought smiles to our faces, and we talked about the good old times.   Then I texted Dave Southwick letting him know that we were in front of our old house, and I jokingly texted him "Now why did we leave Syracuse?" At 4:05 pm he replied "Young men in Enosburg who need you in their lives."   I replied.  "Praise The Lord! Thanks. Amen."  

 Then Friday I spent the day with Pastor Parker, who just recently had stroke-like symptoms, and retired from the pulpit.  He told how the doctors found something in his brain, and that they want to remove it or it could be fatal if he doesn't.  He told me he's not going to have the surgery, and that he is ready to go to Jesus.  It was strange as he was talking as if he was going to die in the near future, but with great peace.  We talked about death, and how short the time is we have here on earth. He then brought me to his incredible Christian library, and I mean incredible. He said I want you to take all the books you want. I got a huge box of new Christian books. It was great spending time with Pastor Parker and Matt Gantt, and God willing they will be in Enosburg again this summer for the Inner City Christian Basketball Camp. 

 Get ready for unexpected, astounding events in the next segment. I guarantee you, you will not be disappointed! I won’t keep you waiting very long.