DEVOTED ON AND O F F T H E TRACK By nuuid Salley Every Wednesday night the Harding track and crosscountry teams came together not to run, but to worship. Their weekly devo became a staple of the program. Coach Bryan Phillips, who provided his home for the group, said it was truly amazing how the fellowship had grown over the years. "It started out as only track guys back in 1991 or 1992," Phillips said. "There were six or eight of them, then it expanded and we added the women, and then it became kind of a 'bring your friends' deal. It's probably split half and half between those on the team and those not nowadays." Phillips, while providing his home as the meeting place of the worship service, said he did not try to take charge of the group. He said one of the reasons the devo had such longevity was because it was primarily student-led. "I've kind of selected a few at the beginning of every year to be leaders," Phillips said. "And over the years we've always had guys who were good leaders, so I think that's helped.'' One of the leaders this year was senior sprinter Kevin Naceanceno, who said being able to get together and fellowship outside of practice and competition helped bring the team together on the track. "I am just thankful for it," Naceanceno said. 'Tm trying to soak up the influence of these people. The church is about living in a community, so we get to push towards heaven, and we're running a bigger race than around a red track." Sophomore member of the track team Hayley Tobias was grateful for Phillips' hospitality and the opportunity to make new friends. "I've gained so much from attending the track devo," Tobias said. "I've gained knowledge about the Bible and some really awesome friendships with people I never would have come in contact with if I had never attended the track devo." The group grew in recent years, averaging around 60 people every Wednesday night. Naceanceno said everyone in the group helped to encourage one another, team member or not. "We have a really good mix of people, not just track athletes," Naceanceno said. "What we all have in common is Jesus, and when we see each other coming together by free choice to worship, we motivate each other." 222 ,\TIILETICS
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