Dayspring Church, Santa Fe TX

I love this Church and coming from me, that is a huge compliment because I didn’t go to church before I came here because I never enjoyed going. From day one Dayspring welcomed me with open arms and made me feel like family. They are such a blessing to this community. I remember how much they helped during Harvey, they were literally donating the pews to families that needed furniture. This church feels like my second home and does an exceptional job of bringing the community of Santa Fe together.

This place is Amazing. A great place to bring your family on Sundays that also offer Connect Groups during the week, ladies Bible study on Tuesday evenings, active youth group, 3rd Thursday meal and ladies meet together and men meet together. I invite you to come hear the word of God and worship together on Sunday morning 10: 45.

We have a wonderful group of people that are driven to serve our community and beyond. I love our Pastors and leadership team. We’d love to see you 1045am Sunday Mornings, Connect Groups for all ages throughout the week.

They welcomed me when I came to visit, and even called me to invite me to the small groups. Nice people and a thriving youth group. I noticed they had been there for decades, and the parking lot was packed for their anniversary celebration. It seems like the church has done a lot of things right to still be going strong after all these years. The people have hospitality, which is great to find and a sign of real Christianity.

Dayspring Church-Santa Fe, TX - as a Youth Soccer Coach, I have witnessed what I never thought I would witness from adults to children today. I have learned that you don’t just put your child in a church that offers free events because you want to teach them about God, you stick to the one you’ve always went to even if they don’t offer that at your own church that you love going to. I have never been to this church but I thought to give it a try because it was closer and they offered a sports camp for youth Soccer, baseball, basketball, cheer & football.

I have learned from being a coach that all, ALL children have a different talent. For some, it’s their first time trying that sport and for some, they have had some experience in that sport. At youth ages, it’s harder for children to understand what extra “MVP” awards go to because that concept is not yet understood in their mind, feelings and emotional psychology.

All I witnessed tonight at the last day is a lot of sad faces and youth children holding in their tears because they did not receive an MVP award that was announced at the alter. Given, they had already received medals for participation. Crowds cheered for those who received it and the ones that didn’t get called were just looking back hoping they got called.

I was a coach to FOUR kids ages to 7-9 that were in my previous soccer team at this event. ALL OF THEM RECEIVED A MEDAL AND AWARD in my soccer team I coached for SFYS. Every child had an amazing talent that was not the same as one another.

Some may say I am not pleased and upset because my daughter didn’t receive an MVP award. That is not the case. I witnessed sexism at this church. About 40 kids were enrolled in basketball including my daughter, 15-20 MVP awards were handed out to boys and only ONE to a girl. Some boys were also handed 2-3 mvp awards for one child.

To the coach I approached for the basketball team, I meant what I said. I witnessed sexism at this church. “You picked all boys and one girl. That’s SEXISM. I’m not coming back. ” I’ve seen enough to know not to come back.

There was also Football.only 6 boys were in that sport at church. Only 3 boys were picked as MVP and some even received 2 awards. Again, only six boys and they could have counted all of them to receive an MVP.

To my relief, my daughter had no feelings toward it because she has not yet been exposed to this type of scenario. Although, she said it was “her first time and she tried really hard and all the girls did too. They could have called some girls too, but they only called one. ” It is my job as a parent to stand up for her and others because she still does not understand and she looks up to me.

This isn’t about fairness, it’s about not leaving one child behind. Each child is capable and deserves to not feel like they are not good enough to receive an award. I spoke to my other soccer kid I coached just this past May and she was in cheer at this church. I could see her holding back tears. I know she gave her best. This was her first time trying cheer.

For some of these kids, this was their first time trying a sport and we as adults should have been better at showing them sportsmanship and making them ALL feel MVP. NOT JUST THOSE WHO WERE REALLY GOOD AT THE SPORT.

Enclosing this open comment, I am really proud of my coaching and Coach Perry for teaching our SANTA FE YOUTH SOCCER TEAM that the world may not be like the one we coach. Some places may make you uncomfortable in a loss and some may reward other children more than you because they (adults) are not taught the values as our own. We value each individual player as an MVP. Because every single child strives to be the best with what God created you to be.