A few weeks ago I posted an entry for a contest solely for my Twitter followers in celebration of my 1,000th tweet.  I gave my followers a chance to win a $50 American Express Gift Card, but here was the spin, the contestants were to send me their most creative way of using the $50 to meet a need in their area or use it to do something for others (read the originally post here).  The whole idea is to encourage others to live a life of giving.  So the submissions are in and I have chosen the winner!  

Here’s the winner’s submission.  I hope Murna’s story will encourage you as much as it has me. 

Albert Jennings is a walking contradiction. He is a burly dark skinned man with jet black curly hair, loves sports, is a pastor, loves interior design, hates wearing suits, will fight to death for loved ones, and has a heart that passionately beats for the urban youth of today. Albert grew up in a stable home but as a former athlete at the highest level (NFL) he encountered teammates and friends who struggled in life because they had no strong male mentor. He is very involved with the local council meetings and the interests of the players on the high school team he is zoned for. He has five boys and is a huge part of their lives. While The “Home Team” as he refers to his family comes first, Albert always finds time to invest in other boys and young men, especially those without fathers in their lives. Football is the vessel used to accomplish his goals. He stepped up to the plate when a little league team, Rivermont Raiders that was made up of 11-12 year olds had no coach and program. Unable to find a suitable candidate he took the challenge to work and build the team’s program again. But, it’s not just about winning games and the scoreboard. These boys and their parents know that Albert’s drive and motivation is about them winning the game of life. He looks at wins on the field as well as off. If a child is unable to afford the cost to play on the team, Albert either pays out of his own pocket or finds another cheerful giver to provide a scholarship. Despite being talented enough to play on other little league teams; his sons are also on this team. This is on top of being an Athletics campus pastor at Liberty and a pastor of The Wave (no affiliation to other churches), a Coffee House style church that allows him to teach and build people for the Kingdom. Once again, he becomes a coach but from a different angle. In addition, Albert and his wife, Hope take the time to dialogue with many young adults who are dating, engaged or just simply thinking about their future with a spouse. The Jennings asks the hard questions that young adults simply skip over. Albert is a visionary and encourages his mentees/church members to go through life with a vision that has a plan attached to it. They continue to push others towards their desires with P.R.I.D.E.: Passion, Responsibility, Integrity, Determination and Excellence.

So here is the question of the hour? What I’m I going to use the gift certificate for? I would like to use the $50 gift certificate to throw an end of the year appreciation/job well done/ surprise party for the little leaguers and Albert. The party would include hip hop dancers and several football players from Liberty speaking. This would inspire the members of his team to glimpse at their future and for any adult to see the positive impact they can make in someone’s lives. For Albert it will be an affirmation/encouragement to keep doing what he is doing.

-Murna