Claude Mills, Rural News Coordinator
IT IS a rare thing when the worlds of spirituality and soccer, that male dominated sport frequently full of violence and testosterone overdrive, collide. However, such a collision took place yesterday when members of the Arnett Gardens Football Club showed up for the morning service at the Family Church on the Rock in St. Andrew.
The team's performance had been floundering in recent times, especially with the bloody internecine gang violence happening in the Jones Town/ Craig Town areas of the community. Marlon Benbow, the captain of the youth team, made an overture to the pastor Franz Fletcher of the Family Church on the Rock to pray for the team.
"Marlon took the initiative; he saw that the ongoing violence in the community had traumatised them. In the history of the football team, I have never seen the club like this, so downhearted and depressed, like they were searching for something. A few weeks ago, they played gospel songs on the bus all the way to Trelawny and all the way back," Patrick Roberts, president of the Arnett Gardens football club, said.
TOUCHED BY THE SERVICE
"So this was a great thing. Pastor (Franz) Fletcher came by the Havendale house to see the players at eight on Saturday night, and he invited the two squads to church, and when we went there, we were well-received, they formed a barricade around us and they prayed around us."
One player, the tough-tackling right back, Gerald Neil, said he was touched by the service that morning.
"The violence affect the man dem bad; remember, dem don't come from the ghetto, and when dem come here, and hear so much shot, it get dem discouraged, so it was good for us to do this as a team. Mi tell yu, water come ah mi eye when mi go the church and me see how the people welcome we like dem know we long time and mi just feel great with the prayer, and see, I had a good game," he said.
The team earned a 1-1 draw with the Rivoli United Football Club yesterday, when they were able to convert a penalty awarded by the referee in the 88th minute - an 'immaculate decision' if you ask Rivoli fans because the team had been staring defeat in the face.
A CHANGE IN FORTUNES
Still, Marlon Benbow, who hails from the tough 'Brooklyn' community in Arnett Gardens, believes that this event could signal a change in fortunes for the team.
"The word of God and gospel music are very powerful. If we can use 'Passa Passa' to unite people, we can use gospel music and God," Marlon said.
Pastor Fletcher, who watched the game from the stands, also believes that the team has turned the corner.
"All of them made a commit-ment to God; they said the sinner's prayer and asked God to take control of their lives, families and communities, and our church is willing to assist these young men in whatever way possible," he said.
