The 2017 NFL Super Bowl last Sunday was one of the best comebacks in history. It was a great game to watch. However, what made the Super Bowl so super for 50 guys from the Union Rescue Mission trying to overcome addictions and homelessness was actually not the game itself.
Last Sunday Shoreline Church in San Clemente, along with the Iron Men from Pacific Coast Church, hosted a Super Bowl event that was second to none. The guys came down from the mission in L.A. on a couple buses and enjoyed a pancake breakfast prior to attending the church service at Shoreline Church. One of the church members personally purchased breakfast for all our guys as a fundraiser to send junior high students to camp.
After an inspiring service we drove a mile away to the park to have lunch and play flag football. The guys had a blast encouraging and teasing each other.
Then it was back to the church to watch the game on a GIGANTIC 40’ screen. Including all three groups we had about 175 people in attendance, our largest turnout in our five year history. The ladies prepared an incredible spread at half time and we all had a good time playing some football trivia games.
Oh yea… oh, and the Patriots came back from a 25-point deficit in the second half to win a remarkable come-from-behind victory. That pleased the two Patriot fans in the audience:)
At the conclusion of the game we all rallied at the front for a group prayer time and it was humbling to hear the men pray. Men from San Clemente prayed… Men from Skid Row prayed… and we all prayed to the same Jesus who brought us together as a family.
As the men got on the bus and headed home it was so satisfying to have provided a full day of worship, prayer, food, football, and fellowship. These men who have almost zero functioning relationships made some new friends and as one man put it, “for one day we enjoyed what it feels like to be normal.”
A special thanks to all who participated to help our group of men experience a day away from the chaotic activity surrounding skid row to feel loved and valued.
– Pastor Dan