Summer Update

First off, I would like to thank everyone who has asked about my journey and who has took time out of there personal life to follow up with these blogs. The numbers on here are huge and I feel beyond blessed! To keep you up to date, many of you know/knew about my visit to Charlotte NC for the professional tryout, well it didnt fully work out the way i had hoped. However, I was later approached by the Eagles organization and they asked me to come along this July for a soccer camp/missions trip to Germany for 3 weeks. Apparently to them I wasn't at the level to join the team yet, however I was good enough to put on the logo and represent them confidently overseas. My only thing was that I did have to come up with some money in order to go.

After tons of prayer and thinking it through (found out in early March about this opportunity) I regretfully had to decline the opportunity. My reasoning was because of few things. 1) i recently started a new job. its full time and they have already promoted me and gave me a pay raise (thank God!) this job will allow me to save money and to get myself financially prepared for the Fall semester, since I will be moving off campus and paying rent every month. Second reason is due to another opportunity. I received a phone call asking if I was interested in coaching/teaching 3rd-5th graders for the end of the summer. I accepted the offer and will be starting here in about a week. I am very excited to be coaching kid who come from the inner city. Soccer is an international language and i plan on using soccer as my platform in order to impact these kids and hopefully teach them something beyond soccer skills.

I really dreaded emailing the Eagles of my decision and It came heavy heartedly but It was something that I had to do. i was amazed with the response I got from Josh Kimble, The leader of the international trip. Josh has been one of the guy who has been an amazing friend to me. Here is the response email i received from him after I "declined" the Germany offer.

"Hayden!

 Man I love hearing from you! Thanks for taking the time to write a thoughtful response. I know it has come with more prayer and I couldn't be more excited for you to step into your calling to coach those kids. I love seeing God enter you into their lives and pray He will open amazing ways for you to speak truth, love and life into them. You know that we are your family here man, so come visit us and be in contact whenever you like. I will just be getting from Germany on August 3rs. So if you come on the 4th, it would be cool as we'll have much to share.

Love you man, proud of you and so encouraged by your awesome heart!

your brother,

Josh"

You can easily tell that the Charlotte Eagles organization is filled with Godly people like Josh. I can't wait to continue my relationship with this family!

Hayden

Col 3:23

LGLBLG

Back at it again.

Hey Everyone,
First I'd like to thank you for the TREMENDOUS support that you gave me and continue to give me on a day to day basis. I am truly blessed to have people in my life who generally care about what goes on in my life and are willing to help by prayer, texts, or even conversations. I cant thank you enough. I wrote a blog every night while i was at the combine and amazingly, I had over 200 people A NIGHT read about that days activities. I am always willing to talk about it if any of you have any questions or things youd like to say. Dont hesitate to ask!!

So I'm writing again with some more great news. I have another opportunity to add another great chapter to my life. In two weeks (Feb. 24th-25th) I will be in Charlotte, North Carolina for a tryout with the professional soccer team there. But there is SO much more and Im going to explain...

Professional soccer clubs unlike football/basketball, are owned by companies or corporations (this explains the weird/confusing logos on the front of jerseys). The Charlotte Eagles are not only owned by a company but a CHRISTIAN organization! The Eagle are the only professional soccer club to be affiliated and labeled as a christian team. They describe themselves as Sport's Ministers and then soccer players. they use their talents for the work of the Lord and are not afraid to proclaim it. For example, in the off season, The team goes on mission trip to foreign lands to spread the good news and to hold soccer camps for kids. They use soccer as their tool to reach the lost. How amazing is that?! Another example and probably my favorite: A small group of players called the "Urban Eagles" actually LIVE in the projects. (for you TNU people think of Napier). Professional athletes live in the rundown streets of Charlotte and are mentors to the children and community. Players help kids with homework, play games, hold bible studies, basically anything to keep the kids off the street. Some of these kids come from broken homes. Some without a father figure. They flock to the Eagle's players for their athletic ability and yet they get So much more, a relationship and a friend.

I have the unique opportunity to become apart of this sports ministry AND to play professional soccer on the side. God has blessed me with way more than i ever deserved but I'm thankful and look forward to showcasing my abilities in his name.

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE continue to pray for me in these next two weeks. I need it now more than ever. This team has truly been on my mind for the past month and i sincerely feel as if God wants me there. Thank you so much for reading, and please dont hesitate to ask me a thing or even send a small message to me. You can find me on facebook, twitter, or email me at jhcoffman@mail.trevecca.edu  The odds are against me, however with God ANYTHING is possible. Love you guys!

                                                                        Hayden Coffman


WATCH THESE!

CNN's article about the team. (Copy and Paste)

http://religion.blogs.cnn.com/2011/08/16/christian-pro-soccer-team-scoring-souls-not-goals/