COYOTES, ‘ABOVE THE LINE’ RESCUES, REDEEMS, AND TRANSFORMS AT ABUNDANT LIFE MEN’S TRAINING CAMP

(TAMPA BAY) – Men of all ages, all colors, and all walks of life showed up from across the region recently with great expectations August 8-10 to be “rescued, redeemed and transformed” at the first annual ’Above the Line Training Camp’  mens retreat, hosted by Abundant Life Ministries – and featuring the players, staff and ministry outreach of the six-time champion SoCal Coyotes from Palm Desert, California. 

America’s #1 Developmental Pro Football Program™ delivered. The Coyotes equipped, inspired and challenged men to “do your job” – find their calling, be obedient to God, take ownership of their behavior, love their wives, grow their children in the Lord, impact their circle of influence, and be the difference-maker everywhere they place their feet. 

Utilizing their faith-building, award-winning ‘Above the Line’ curriculum, the Coyotes dipped into the New Testament’s Book of Colossians to give participants the foundation of a life lived for Christ, and the tools in which to do it.  

“This was a tremendous success – and ignited a movement,” said Abundant Life Senior Pastor Anthony McDaniel, of the explosive weekend experience. “The Coyotes pierced the darkness, changed hearts and lives, and made a difference in our community. 

“The implementation, execution, steadfastness, and consistency was top quality,” McDaniel said. “The Coyotes have built an impressive culture. Abundant Life and its men are better because of this weekend. 

“We are very excited about our partnership with the Coyotes – after this weekend, we want this to be an annual event that frankly has turned into something way bigger than any of us could have ever imagined.”

The ‘Above the Line’ leadership program is the same curriculum the Coyotes teach annually to more than 50,000 youth through their camps, clinics and symposiums, as well as churches, local businesses, and the at-risk youth of the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department and Riverside County District Attorney’s Office.

The Coyotes were led by two of the best players in franchise history. Defensive end and all-time sack leader Jake Sheffield and record-setting quarterback Michael Karls – team captains – shared touching personal life stories, taught from the Word of God, prayed passionately with attendees, and inspired spirited sessions of flag football. 

So did every Coyote staff member, who opened their hearts to love, learn, listen, and lead. 

Hall of Fame head coach J David Miller, who was joined by Athletic Director Robert L. Cummings, SVP Ron DiGrandi, GM Fred Molo and VP Scott Alvarez delivered powerful messages of faith, hope and redemption, and demonstrated that real men don’t shy away from love, commitment – or their calling in Christ. 

“This weekend was unbelievable,” said assistant pastor Anel Avila, who oversees missions, life groups, outreach and men’s ministries. “Friendship and fellowship defined the event. Our men connected with the Coyotes in ways that made it very real and very personal. We are already looking forward to an even much bigger event next year.”

For the SoCal Coyotes, the weekend was affirmation that their ‘Faith, Family, Football’ message of ‘Better Fathers, Better Husbands, Better Men’ is just as powerful and life-changing anywhere in the country as it is at home.

The spirit and momentum of the training camp swelled into Sunday, when the Coyotes were unexpectedly asked to lead the ‘Above the Line’ program at both Sunday services of Abundant Life. 

The results were palpable. “This whole thing runs on obedience,” Coach Miller said. “There is no limit to what God can do when you just give up, give in, get right, and obey the Lord’s calling on your life, whatever that may be. We’ve learned that the measure of our obedience with God equals the lengths to which He will trust us.” 

“The impact of the Coyotes obedience here will linger long, long after they’re gone,” agreed ALM’s Ken Madray, pointing to one of the many calls, text messages and emails that poured in from attendees in the wake of the retreat. 

“This men’s training camp changed my life,” one text read. “I got home, fell to my knees and just started crying and talking to God. I asked Jesus to come into my heart and to take all the pain, anger and jealousy I had in my heart away. I felt it leave! I will follow God, in my heart and home!”

Those are the only victories that count, noted Coach Miller, adding that “trophies are temporary, but what happened here in Florida is for eternity.” 

ABOUT ABUNDANT LIFE MINISTRIES

Under the direction of Anthony and Kendra McDaniel, Abundant Life Ministries is a life-giving church with purpose. The worship is vibrant, alive and engaging. The preached word is stripped of pretense and formalism but is intelligent, passionate and biblically sound. ALM is a serving church that’s very active in the community and also in the region and the world.  Kids, youth and young adults are a priority with all services staffed with great leaders and vibrant programs and environments for every age. Watch ALM on WCLF Christian Television Network (Channel 22) on Sundays at 10 AM EST. You can also view archived sermons online by clicking here Youtube.

ABOUT THE SOCAL COYOTES

The SoCal Coyotes are the national standard of American developmental football. The Coyotes non-profit organization provides elite athletes a professional environment that refines and showcases their skills through trademarked processes similar to the NBA’s D-league and MLB’s minor-league systems.

NFL executives have named the SoCal Coyotes organization America’s #1 Developmental Football Program™ for its national, scalable brands, community outreach programs, six-year operating track record, verifiable data, youth curriculum, sales, public-private sector alliances, and measured results.