Stephen Barlow

Nothing has impacted my life more over the past seven years than playing for the Columbus Crusaders. I had the opportunity to start playing in sixth grade, but had been around for several years before that because both of my older brothers played for the Crusaders and my parents volunteered for the program a lot. At that point, I just thought it was great that I was going to get to play football because my school didn’t have a team, but now I understand that this program is so much more than just a football team. It is first and foremost a ministry for teaching young men like me to become Biblical men of Christ. It has been such an honor for me to learn from and play for such great coaches who, not only love football and want to teach us to be the best players we can be, but more importantly teach us how to follow Christ more closely in our daily lives. They understand and have taught us that while football is a great game, there are far more important things in life and that on the field winning and losing isn’t as important as whether we honor Jesus with the way we play. I thank God so much for the opportunity I have had to be a part of the Crusader program and everything it has meant in my life.

Layne Hazlip

The Crusader Football team and Family have meant so much to me this past six years I’ve played. Looking back I remember most of all the friends and connections I have made and what great times I shared with them all. I love the team, but more so I love the Lord, and being Layne Hazlip able to strap on the pads and say we will Honor Jesus! is the ultimate victory win or lose. The coaches are the finest example of true men; they and guest speakers have helped strengthen my faith tremendously.

Remembering all I have taken from this program is what pushes me to give back and be committed to it each year. Two-a-days are long and tough, but have brought me closer to my teammates more than ever. I will never forget the Waffle House dining after a big game or impersonations of coaches we all shared a good laugh in. The big games barely won and the hardest games just lost will forever be remembered. I thank the Lord for this blessing known as the Crusader Football Team and I love my Brothers for being a part of it with me. I lastly want to thank my padres for making all of this possible and sacrificing different things to see my desires and gifts continue on. God Bless, Layne Hazlip

Kevin Shields

I accepted Jesus Christ as my personal Lord and Savior when I was seven. I was at Awana and we were just getting done with a teaching and the leader said .that she was going to pray a prayer and if we prayed that and raised our hand and really meant the prayer that Jesus would come into our lives and forgive us of all our sins and so I raised my hand. I know everyone says this, but it was the best decision of my life! I have so many great memories and friends that I will never forget. If it wasn’t for this program and the coaches, I can honestly say that I would not know where I would be or what I would be doing, I don’t even think that I would be playing football! When I am not sure about something or in a situation and not sure what to do, I think back to all the things I’ve learned from the coaches and the small groups that we have after practices and it has helped me so much with my walk with Jesus Christ and it has truly made me a stronger Christian. This program hasn’t just made me a better football player, it has prepared me for life. The way this program is set up and the way the coaches are, prepares you for life. It teaches you to work hard and persevere through the hard times and then you will be rewarded later, in this case starting under the lights on Friday nights! I love this program! And I want to thank all the coaches, parents, my teammates, and the people behind the scenes that I don’t know for making my six years of football unforgettable! www

Alex Enderle

It was a big change when I stopped playing soccer, and started playing for the Crusaders. But the change was one of the best choices I’ve ever made. Up until the Crusaders, I played for the joy and priase that came with a hard fought game. But at the Crusaders, I learned to play to honor Jesus. The coaches are on fire for the Lord, and have helped me in my walk with Jesus.

While all of the coaches have made a big impact in my life, one coach in particular stands out. Coach Eric Jones. He was coaching when I first started playing, and he is still here at the end. He helped me battle through a season-ending injury. He has been encouraging, and given me a great example of how to handle issues that come up in life. While I respect him as my coach, he is really one of the guys. It seems like he gets yelled at as much as we do. I have enjoyed getting to know him, and giving him a hard time about being a “pipe fitter”. As of now, he is my best friend. The thing that touches me the most is that he will take time out of his day or night to help with a problem.

Because I was home shooled most of my life, the Crusaders was an excellent way to improve my people skills. It also gave me an opportunity to constructively use up extra energy without getting yelled at by Mom. I have loved playing the o-line, and even after the season is over, I will still dream about Coach Dwyer yelling at me to, “Sit in the chair, and to move my feet!”

Gabe Hall

I came to the Crusaders in 7th grade because my school didn’t have a football team. and I was too old for the league I had played in for the past 4 years. My plan was to play for the Crusaders in middle school, then go to public school and play for my school. However, after 8th grade, I had fallen in love with the Crusaders and decided to stick with the Crusaders in high school even though my new school had a team. I have never regretted my decision for a moment. At first I didn’t understand why the coaches spent time to pray for us and talk about Jesus when I thought we should be playing football. I soon realized the coaches cared about more than just the game, they cared about me and wanted to insure I heard the good news of Jesus Christ. Once I understood this, I knew I could never go back to a secular program where the coaches only cared about the game. The coaches and players have continuously challenged me to be a man of Christ and have been excellent examples of true men in a culture which seems to have forgotten what a real man is.

David Inboden

I have been part of a lot of sports programs over the years with school and select teams and claiming to put the Lord first. But the Columbus Crusaders are the only team that truly does. I’ve been playing since 4th grade and it has been, “hands down” the best experience of my life. It has been a great place to mature physically and spiritually.

During my time with the Crusaders I have formed friendships that will last a lifetime. Memories of “hey puppy”, “steak sauce”, “push harder” and of course, “hunting bear”, made the long hours on the field bearable.

I would also like to thank Coach Cheeseman and the other men responsible for starting the program and for giving me the opportunity to play football.

Andrew Karst

I’ve really grown a lot in Christ this year. A lot of that is due to the Crusader program! Responsibility, Honor and being a man of Truth are just a few things I’ve learned this year! I’ve made lots of new friends and grown closer to them as brothers in Christ. God has really blessed me with the opportunity to play football and still be in a Godly environment.

I would like to thank all of the coaches for all their time and effort! To my senior brothers, let’s make our last year a legacy! Keep the Faith!

Tom Keith

I started to play for the Crusaders in eighth grade and I have really grown to love the program and the sport. All of the coaches I ever had were all great teachers and strong Christians, and you could tell that they really cared about every single person on the team. I think I have grown more spiritually in the five years I have played for the Crusaders than in the ten years that I attended a Christian school. The Columbus Crusaders have definitely made a life long impression in my life.

Ryan Parsons

I would have never played football if not through the Crusaders. I first heard about them through another senior (Kevin Shields) who convinced me to play. I am still grateful to this day that he did. I not only enjoyed the Crusaders because it was a chance for me to play football, but more importantly because I was surrounded by passionate men of God in the coaches and the players. The Crusaders have been a blessing to me by helping me become a man of God and by preparing me to go out in the world and not be swayed in my beliefs but to hold fast to them and continue towards God. The Crusaders have impacted me in a way I will never forget and that I never want to forget. I have been truly blessed by the amazing atmosphere, coaching staff and friends that I’ve made through this program.

Luke Seiffert

As I look back on my five years as a Columbus Crusader, I will most remember how the focus on knowing and serving our Lord Jesus Christ was woven into the game of football. Realizing a huge difference between the Crusaders and other teams, I am proud to say I am a Crusader. I’d like to thank all of the coaches for their leadership, direction and for the time that they have invested in our lives. I’d also like to thank my teammates for all of the great experiences we’ve shared. Most of all, I’d like to thank the Lord for providing me and all of our players with the opportunity to learn Christ-centered life lessons through Columbus Crusader football.

William White

I came to the Crusaders in 9th grade because my school didn’t have a football team. When I started to play, it was just for football but now I play to honor Jesus because the Crusaders taught me to be a man of God. They taught me lessons that I can take on from here and use in life. The Crusaders have helped me grow in my Christianity and I will always appreciate that. Honor Jesus future Crusaders!

Nathan Wooten

This is my 4th year as a Crusader. As a freshman I came just to play the game of football. But I quickly found out that there’s more to just football with this program. They don’t just teach you about the game, but how to be a man of Christ. I have loved every moment as a Crusader and would like to thank the coaches and players for making this a true blessing in my life.

Sarah Arni

The Crusader program has impacted my life in so many ways Being homeschooled, I thought that my dream of being a cheerleader would never come true. But when I was in 8th grade my Mom heard about the Crusaders, and I have been cheering for them ever since. Not only has the Crusader program given me the chance to cheer, but it has also provided me with the opportunity to fellowship with other Godly young women whose main focus is to serve and glorify the Lord. Cheering for the Crusaders has also helped me to grow spiritually by encouraging me to become a woman of C.H.R.I.S.T. (Contentment, Hospitality, Respect, Inspiration, Selflessness and Truth). I would like to say a huge thank you to all the coaches I have had over the past five years for investing so much of their time and energy into our squad and for being such wonderful exxamples of Godly women. I would also like to thank my parents for all of the time and money that they have sacrificed in order for me to be able to cheer. The Crusader program is a truly amazing ministry and I feel so blessed and thankful to have been able to be a part of it.

Ande Curtis

I’m so sad to be leaving but I had a wonderful experience over the past 4 years here. My mom was the one who signed me up for the Crusaders, I’m so happy she did. I have made so many amazing friends that I love so much! This program has brought me so much closer to God and I am grateful for that. All of my coaches have been a great influence on me. I absolutely loved this program, there is no other like it.

Lili Korcok

Wow! I can’t believe I’m writing my senior testimony....it’s all gone by so fast! This is my fourth year cheerleading for the Crusaders and I am so excited for it! Cheering for the football team and Jesus has been absolutely wonderful! It’s been great getting to know the various people involved with the Crusader program and becoming like a family with the cheerleaders and coaches. Crusaders has taught me to give God the glory in everything I do and encouraged me in my walk with Christ. Thank you to all the cheerleaders, football players, coaches, and Mrs. Cheeseman for being such a blessing to me.

Angie Ricci

This is my first year actually cheering for the Crusaders, but I have been around the program for a couple of years. I really appreciate how much the program has made me grow in Christ and has also pushed me to do my very best athletically. The combination of Jesus and athletics is something rare. I am so thankful that I got to experience it!

Grace Dickerman

Coming into the Crusader football program in my freshman year, I never thought I would enjoy cheerleading. I had been there a few years before, cheering for my brother, Sam. He was the one who really encouraged me to participate in the program and I’m so glad he did. Through this program, I have met some of the most amazing people, who have instantly become my friends, coaches, and above all, role models. Not only have they supported and helped to improve my cheerleading, but they have encouraged me to truly honor God in everything that I do. They’ve taught me to serve others and be that daily witness. And they have taught me that even though playing football and cheering our guys on is important; it doesn’t matter unless we have the right heart. The heart that is willing to serve and honor our Lord Jesus Christ. I’ve cheered for three years now and coming back from a break in my Junior year, I was so excited. I want to thank all the girls in my squad this year and the past years, and all the coaches (including football), my family, friends, and most importantly, my All in All, Jesus Christ. Without all of you, I don’t know where I’d be. Even after I graduate, you better believe that I’ll still be around cheering the guys on!

Tory Wayland

I have been cheering for the Crusaders for 7 years now. My fifth grade year, my friend was a cheerleader, and I had tossed around the idea of joining, so my Mom asked a few questions during a practice. The coach said if I was interested, I had to make a commitment right away. The next thing I knew... a nice girl (who ended up being my best friend), let me borrow a uniform and I got my picture taken to be a part of the squad. I have enjoyed cheering ever since. Cheerleading has been a blessing, and I have made so many great friends. God has a purpose for everything in our life and uses it for our good and His glory. Not only have I learned to cheer, but also I have furthered my relationship with God, thanks to the Godly girls and coaches that are a part of the program. Thank you coaches and volunteers for making my years with the Crusaders such an awesome experience.

Sierra Bush

I’ve been cheering with the Crusader program since my sophomore year of high school. I attend Tree of Life Christian Schools and we do not have a football team, so this program has given me the opportunity to meet new people, including some of my now best friends. Cheering for the Crusaders has shown me how to be an encourager. It isn’t all about us, it is so much bigger. I have enjoyed the caring of the many coaches I have had while in this program. I have grown not only as a cheerleader, but also as a believer. I know that wherever I go I will take with me the faith and strength that I have been taught through being a part of the Columbus Crusaders.
Hebrews 12:1
Therefore, since we have been surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.

Randi Mason

Throughout the eight years I have been cheering, I have had many amazing coaches that taught me not only how to be a cheerleader, but also how to be a young woman whose heart belongs to Jesus. I have also had the privelege of meeting and getting to know new girls every year, including two of my very best friends. Having a group of believers who encourage and support one another not only spiritually but also physically , is such a blessing and I am so grateful to have been a part of the Crusader program.