When the whistle blows on the final Brandon High School football game
and the statistics have recorded the efforts of players, there will be
one stat not written in a book. The leadership, ministry and devotion by quarterbacks Joe Barnes and Caleb Jett will instead leave indelible marks in the lives of those
they influenced both on and off the field.
Both Barnes and Jett said they could never have imagined what God did
this year because they began the year as rivals vying for the starting
quarterback position. The two said they believe God did great work when He broke down the
walls between them and forged them together as best friends and
partners in ministry.
Jett had just moved to Brandon in March because his father David was
appointed senior pastor at Crossgates Baptist Church. Barnes and his
family had attended the church for many years. Both men had heard
rumors of the other but neither wanted a friendship. The transformation happened April 30 while attending a Sunday school cookout."God showed up that day and people were being set free from bondages and sin, and I felt God was pulling at me. I finally broke down in
tears and I knew it was time for me to follow God completely," said Barnes.
"I wasn't supposed to be there that day but I got invited. We were
praying for someone else and I kept getting these looks from Thomas,
the leader. It was like God was looking at me through him. God spoke
to me and it was like I let go of everything," said Jett.
Following the prayer time, the two rivals were left alone to talk it out.
Both Barnes and Jett said they could never have imagined what God did
this year because they began the year as rivals vying for the starting
quarterback position. The two said they believe God did great work when He broke down the
walls between them and forged them together as best friends and
partners in ministry.
Jett had just moved to Brandon in March because his father David was
appointed senior pastor at Crossgates Baptist Church. Barnes and his
family had attended the church for many years. Both men had heard
rumors of the other but neither wanted a friendship. The transformation happened April 30 while attending a Sunday school cookout."God showed up that day and people were being set free from bondages and sin, and I felt God was pulling at me. I finally broke down in
tears and I knew it was time for me to follow God completely," said Barnes.
"I wasn't supposed to be there that day but I got invited. We were
praying for someone else and I kept getting these looks from Thomas,
the leader. It was like God was looking at me through him. God spoke
to me and it was like I let go of everything," said Jett.
Following the prayer time, the two rivals were left alone to talk it out.
"We both knew that God put us together that day and we agreed to
follow whatever God said. That was the day I met my best friend," said
Barnes.
Jett said the two began praying and ministering at church, at school
and in the locker room."When God brings Joe and I together to minister it's like we just
don't even care what happens or what people think, because we just
want people to step up and be warriors for Christ," said Jett.
On the football field, the two friends share the job as quarterback.
Coach Dan Davis said both Barnes and Jett are great competitors who
always put the team first."I am just so impressed with the way they have their priorities lined
up. It has been an honor and privilege to coach them. They have both
talent and character. I believe when you put those traits together
with a strong faith in God, then there is not any obstacle they have
to fear. I love and respect both of them," said Davis.
Fellow player Seth Power admires Barnes and Jett for taking a stand in
a difficult setting like a high school locker room."I think it took a lot of leadership and guts to talk about God in the locker room and at school. It has made a difference in the lives of
several people," said Power. Senior player Kody Johnson noticed the change in Joe's life."It was time for me to change the way I was living. I just neverrealized how many lives we would impact by the way we live," Johnson said.
Barnes and Jett said their friendship has helped weather the losses on
the field. "After we lost a game I wanted to hang my head, but Caleb was there to
encourage me to keep my eyes on Christ and to remember that I have
God's approval and I don't have to have the approval of others," said
Barnes.
The friends lead a Bible study for the football team, but they want to
give words of encouragement to all students."Don't waste your high school years, but get up each day and be ready to do God's will for your life," said Jett. "Being a Christian is about giving up your life to God and then living to seek His will. It is really about dying to self," said Barnes.
follow whatever God said. That was the day I met my best friend," said
Barnes.
Jett said the two began praying and ministering at church, at school
and in the locker room."When God brings Joe and I together to minister it's like we just
don't even care what happens or what people think, because we just
want people to step up and be warriors for Christ," said Jett.
On the football field, the two friends share the job as quarterback.
Coach Dan Davis said both Barnes and Jett are great competitors who
always put the team first."I am just so impressed with the way they have their priorities lined
up. It has been an honor and privilege to coach them. They have both
talent and character. I believe when you put those traits together
with a strong faith in God, then there is not any obstacle they have
to fear. I love and respect both of them," said Davis.
Fellow player Seth Power admires Barnes and Jett for taking a stand in
a difficult setting like a high school locker room."I think it took a lot of leadership and guts to talk about God in the locker room and at school. It has made a difference in the lives of
several people," said Power. Senior player Kody Johnson noticed the change in Joe's life."It was time for me to change the way I was living. I just neverrealized how many lives we would impact by the way we live," Johnson said.
Barnes and Jett said their friendship has helped weather the losses on
the field. "After we lost a game I wanted to hang my head, but Caleb was there to
encourage me to keep my eyes on Christ and to remember that I have
God's approval and I don't have to have the approval of others," said
Barnes.
The friends lead a Bible study for the football team, but they want to
give words of encouragement to all students."Don't waste your high school years, but get up each day and be ready to do God's will for your life," said Jett. "Being a Christian is about giving up your life to God and then living to seek His will. It is really about dying to self," said Barnes.
