My son Rusty is the pastor of the New Day Christian Church in Port Charlotte, Florida. When his son, Tommy, started playing football for the Port Charlotte High School football program nearly ten years ago, Rusty began serving as the team’s chaplain. After Tommy graduated, Rusty continued to serve and is now the player development coach for the team. Coaching has provided numerous opportunities for Rusty to serve the community, witness for Christ, and minister to people in need. Over the years, several coaches and players have been baptized and become involved at New Day Christian. One of those coaches was Jace Norus.
Jace Norus played for Port Charlotte High School as an offensive lineman and returned to his alma mater a few years later to become the special education teacher, assistant athletic director, and assistant football coach. And just a few months ago, Coach Norus married his high school sweetheart. At just 27 years of age, the impact of this big man as a player, educator, mentor, and coach is well-known.
Tragically, two weeks ago, Coach Norus passed away unexpectedly in his sleep. Understandably, the football team, the school, and the community were shocked. Over 600 people filled the auditorium of New Day Christian Church for his funeral service. It was a sad and sobering experience, especially for the young men on the Port Charlotte football team.
Yet, thankfully, Coach Norus’ impact on others was more than just in education and sports. The Daily Sun newspaper obituary reported, “Five years ago, football brought Jace back to Christ as he, alongside a few fellow coaches, renewed his faith and was baptized in the Gulf of Mexico. He attended New Day Church, where his walk with the Lord became an integral part of his life.”
God promises that “…in all things, God works for the good of those who love him…” (Romans 8:28). The tragedy of Coach Norus’ death caused many players on the football team to reflect on the fragility of life and seriously think about their relationship with Christ. In a series of informal support meetings, the players began to ask Rusty about death, God’s judgment, hell, and the hope of Heaven. Rusty said most of the players have grown up in single-parent homes and seldom, if ever, attend church. They have good character and compassionate hearts but are imbued with the post-modern philosophy of our current culture and know very little about the Bible or Jesus Christ.
Yet the unexpected death of their young, beloved coach caused many of them to receive the message of hope in Jesus Christ. They listened attentively as Rusty shared, “Christ died to forgive our sins. Jesus conquered death to show us that through His power, we can do it too.” “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23). “Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned” (Mark 16:16).
Last night Rusty texted us the following message: “Hey, Mom and Dad, I wanted to let you know we had 13 players and one coach get baptized today! The coach was Jace’s brother Brennan Norus. 14 baptisms! And four other players have contacted me to say they couldn’t make it and want to get baptized another time. And one of them said his mom wants to get baptized too! Crazy! And these are the leaders of the team: the two biggest emotional leaders of the defense plus two Luther boys (a large family of brothers, one of whom is in the NFL) plus one who couldn’t make it (our starting quarterback) whose mom wants to get baptized. Jordan (head coach) and Coach Deebs helped me baptize. It was an awesome day!”
His message included an exciting video showing players, coaches, and family members wading in and managing the surf of the Gulf of Mexico while celebrating the many baptisms performed in the same area where Coach Jace Norus was baptized five years earlier. Watch the video and rejoice over the fact that, as the Scripture promises, God would “…comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion—to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise…” (Isaiah 61:2-3).
The death of football coach Jace Norus was an awful tragedy. Indeed, it was a time to weep and mourn. Yet, the response of his team was an amazing victory and most definitely makes for a time to rejoice and be glad.
Would you join the Russell family in praying the Lord will raise up Godly mentors like Jace Norus to become spiritual fathers for young athletes like these, to help them mature in Christ and become faithful believers in a fallen world? “…in all things, God works for the good of those who love him…” (Romans 8:28).
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