More Than Champions

It was early in 1980 when a word from God's Word really rocked my world as I was reading. The scripture was found in Romans 8:34-38 and Tim Miner and I were writing music in our new group Miner & McAfee.  In coming up with song titles, we were drawn toward the book of Romans written by Paul.  The scripture first led us to the story of David and how he slew the Philistine with just a pebble in his hand and then, transitioned into the second verse how the greatest champion ever born to man, gave His life down for you and me.  The chorus brought us to our feet and then on our knees in prayer.  The song said, "We will be champions in the end and one day we'll meet again. Hand in hand, we will walk with Him one day. We will be champions in the end".  

The Latinos recorded it on their album with Word Records and in a few months two young men had sold their first song to a major recording label.  This became a mantra of mine for many years. Romans 8 has always resonated with my heart deeply. 

Now almost forty years later a story has been in my heart for over five years that is coming to life. This would not have happened, without a man of vision, Jag Gholson who came to me in Macon to share his story of a high school named Mark Smith High School and his story of one of the greatest basketball state playoff championships ever played on a Monday night in 1969.  This passion had driven him to create a documentary on one of the first "integrated" teams of blacks and whites during the apex of racism during the Civil Rights Movement. Wow, wow wow.

This story serendipitously intersected with a story of a black man who came to an all white college called Mercer University in 1963. His name was Sam Oni and Coach Bob Hoffman introduced me to Sam years earlier.  He arrived at the college and the same church, who had sent missionaries over 112 years earlier, politely told him that he was the wrong color to worship with the campus congregation at Tattnal Square Baptist Church in 1963.  This was a movie that I had been wanting to make and Jag's story intersected.  Later, Dr. Miller Bargeron was working on a story about Beach High School in 1967 and one thing led to another, and the story tapestry was before us, a new movie. 

Isn't it amazing how far we have come...or have we?

Today, we still have racism.  Churches are still prejudiced.  People still call each other horrible racist names when the world is spinning out of control against Muslims, blacks, hispanics and even more.  Even in the Congo, the Hutu and the Tutsi tribe hate one another, not because of the color of their skin, but out of economic prejudice.  This makes me so very sad when I hear of people not being open to others because of INEQUALITY. This is a global problem and I do believe the Golden Rule is the answer, we must learn to treat others the way we would want to be treated. 

Now, we are making a movie and the website is www.morethanchampions.net and I could not be more excited to share about this amazing story, but if Jag had not come along in my life when he did, this would never have begun.  He is using everything in his arsenal to seek out "financial champions" of only the finest corporations and individuals who would take a brave stand against racism. Don't you think it's time we start rallying together, working on solutions of ridding the world of this horrible sin.  Please pray with us about this. 

Here is the worst part.  As a young man, my grandfather was unfortunately prejudiced due to his own upbringing.  Unfortunately, so was his prejudiced grandfather and so was his grandfather all the way back before the Civil War.  This horrible tradition of racism spilled into our home but early on, there was something wrong in my heart about this.  Fortunately, God placed me around people of different races early on and I found more in common than my own prejudiced racial history.  Plus, I saw how my parents treated others all the same, no matter who they were. 

We made a decision to reject this kind of thinking as a family.  

We MUST not accept the status quo, no matter who says it or why they say it.  Hate speech is HATE SPEECH and when we become prejudiced to others, judge them wrongly then we are violating a fundamental issue that Jesus himself spoke against.  Remember, there are more scriptures that talk about the hatred of judging others, than there are scriptures that bring up the judgement for murder.

Come on V300 family, let's not get wrapped up in racism, but rather let's talk about how we can together make a difference in our worlds when we grab hands, love one another and become friends first, with people who are not like us. I am thankful to be part of the team making MORE THAN CHAMPIONS.  Why don't you join the vision with Jag Gholson as you can give an end of the year donation to Veritas Mission Films Association through our non profit, or you can be part of the opportunity with Jag Gholson, our Executive Producer.

He is using GR PRODUCTIONS to make the film and Miles Hanon at Story Front has joined the team once again so it promises to be a great step of faith.  Another exciting film and episodic series to impact culture with a story we believe will challenge the hearts of many, especially the "local church".  

Dr. Martin Luther King said, "The most segregated time of the week is on Sunday's from 11-Noon."  However, I am so thankful when we get to heaven, it will be amazing saints from every tribe and every race who came to know Christ as Savior.  This is a powerful message of love and of hope.  We are overcoming the adversities and we are more than conquerors to Him that loved us, we are MORE THAN CHAMPIONS!

Love you all,

Dr. Kevin 
(Coach K-Mac)

​PS I am now not on FB publicly due to the identify thefts and people who are using my picture and identity to steal money from others.  If you do see any photographs of me with "different names", please report to FB immediately.  Thank you so very much.