Faith Academy’s ‘Know, Grow, Go’ demonstrated in volunteering

CAPTION: Faith Academy of Marble Falls teammates Wade Dillard (left) and Cooper Hansard lift a wooden walkway. Courtesy photo

The Faith Academy of Marble Falls’ campus located on RR 1431 made it an ideal spot for First Responders to set up a Command Center after the flood that hit the Highland Lakes during the Fourth of July holiday. 

As a result, Faith Academy administrators closed the campus for summer activities, including the Flames’ and Lady Flames’ strength and conditioning sessions. 

But that didn’t mean that athletes weren’t working. They simply traded in their cleats and athletic T-shirts and shorts for a pair of work boots to work at Cedar Stays RV Park, located close to the campus, July 8.  

But missing athletic training didn’t bother the 13 athletes, officials said. 

“They’re doing all they need to get done,” football head coach Jay Silvers said. “(Volunteering is) way more important than what we’re doing.”

The debris, including trees, brush and other unneeded items, had to be moved. So strong volunteers and were needed, and the Flames answered the call. 

“Really it was helping them move brush to be picked up by tractors to go to burn piles,” Silvers said.

The Flames spent four hours there. 

The coach noted the players still put into practice what the sport teaches. 

“They’re working together, they have common things we’re trying to do,” he said. “Everybody has that common goal. I think that’s a big thing for them.”

The academy’s motto is “Know, Grow, Go,” which means knowing the Word of God, growing in it and then taking what is taught to them while they’re students to make the world a better place. 

Silvers said he believes the hours his players spent volunteering to help others in a great time of need exemplifies the motto. 

“It’s absolutely going out and showing people there are good people out here,” he said. “They are great kids. They want to do right for the community.

“We play the game – we love playing the game,” he added. “It’s fun. And we also want to help them build character and be Godly examples to others and show them how to go fill that need.”

The team helped one of its own July 9 — the Poage family — that has three Faith graduates: Grayson, Audri and Claire. The family lives close to the campus. “This is a good way for the boys to serve their community and show there are other things more important than sports,” Silvers said. “We lift them up any way we can.”

CAPTION: Zach Houy (front) and Jackson Henry are on their way to get more wood to add to the burn pile. Courtesy photo