Sixteen-year-old Neal Simpson and his “Basketball Buddies” sing in a gospel quartet at Highland Baptist Church. While practicing last month, Neal had an idea: “Why not invite Coach Bud Farley, Highland High’s basketball guru, to come hear the quartet sing at Highland Baptist?”
Acting quickly, Neal dropped by the athletic office and personally invited Coach Farley to come to Highland Baptist next Sunday at 10 am for the opening music. Coach acknowledged the invite with a quick “Thanks Neal,” and then swiftly changed subjects to Neal’s abysmal 65 percent free throw percentage, “Gotta move up toward 80 percent kid,” he complained. Neal agreed and shuffled off, thinking he had not gotten through to Coach with his invitation.
The following Sunday, 9:55 am, Neal and “the Buddies” were checking sound on stage at Highland Church when Coach Farley, his wife and two kids found their seats into the back row pew. Neal was not ready for the whole family, but he flashed a big smile at them. Coach Farley smiled back as the Buddies belted out the opening lines of “In Christ Alone.” The invitation had worked!
We don’t know if Coach Farley heard the salvation message through either the Buddies’ songs or the pastor’s sermon invitat ...
