CTM Director (Continued)

 

It was at that moment when God’s heavy hand of conviction came upon me.  It was as if God were saying, “Why didn’t you tell Marcus that I loved him and that my Son, Jesus, died on the cross for him?  Why didn’t you tell Marcus that I would have forgiven him and granted him the free gift of Eternal Life in Heaven if he would have allowed Me to have a personal relationship with him?”

 

I came to the frightening realization that Marcus was now gone.  I also realized that he was separated from God forever in Hell.  I knew this was true from the limited, yet accurate knowledge I gained as a 9-year old child during a vacation Bible school, when I had asked the Lord Jesus Christ to come into my Life.

 

The conviction I felt from failing to serve God was so great that I knew it was vital for God to change my heart.  I prayed and asked Him to forgive me for failing to tell others how they, too, may come to know Him.  I also thanked Him for using the deep depression to help open my eyes to the spiritual needs of those around me.  I then asked Him to be the sovereign Lord of my life, and to make His desires clearly known to me.

 

At that very moment, God lifted the heavy depression from me.  I also discovered that I had a new perspective toward young people and the potential God desires for them.  Following His plan and direction became –and still remains- to the greatest, most important goal in my life.

 

“Let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”  (HEBREWS 12:1,2)

 

The Lord Jesus Christ has truly become my “Personal Coach”.  I enjoy a full, meaningful relationship with Him, experiencing  peace, joy, and purpose in both the pleasant and difficult circumstances of life.

 

Would you also like to invite Him to become your personal coach?  Please feel free to contact me if I may assist you to begin or strengthen your personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ.

Since its inception in 1970, Coach Vogt has directed the Asics High Altitude Runner's Camp & Clinic (7700 ft. Elevation) at Grouse Ridge, CA, as well as directed the Annual Point Reyes Winter Running Camp in California since it began in 1986.  He authored numerous articles and booklets on track & field technique and training and competition for runners. 

Jesus Christ – The Greatest Coach!

A Personal Life’s Story by Nick Vogt, CTM Executive Director

 

My name is Nick Vogt and I’m the Director of Christian Team Ministries, Inc.  I also coach Cross Country and Track & Field at Yuba College.  Today I’m experiencing a very full and meaningful life; however this hasn’t always been the case:  I would like to tell you about the time I had to find a way to overcome one of greatest hurdles of my lifetime:  That barrier was depression.

 

It was back in 1976, when I was a 25 year-old high school teacher and track coach.  The depression upon me was heavier than anytime before because I had just heard the report about a teenage boy, Marcus, who had died that morning in a single-car accident.  The very day before his death, I kicked Marcus out of my classroom.  He was continually getting into trouble, cutting classes, smoking pot, drinking, and driving carelessly.  When I saw him in the halls at school I avoided him.  I didn’t want to associate with a kid like that - especially when he could have involved my other students in that type of behavior.

 

I began to realize that perhaps it wasn’t so much Marcus’ attitude and behavior that alienated us, but that it was more my attitude toward him that kept us from discussing important issues that could have helped him change.