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Exclusive Interview with Soccer Stars, AJ Francois & Jason Belloli
Interview with AJ Francois:

What does it look like to be an athlete in a secular school?
Being an athlete at a secular school basically means that I must be okay with being different. Here on campus, it's less common to share the same faith or background with as many people on my team and in my community, so I need to be constantly aware and mindful of where some of my peers come from. Also, it takes some more courage and discipline to stay ordained in faith even when it may not be the ‘cool’ thing to do. However, it does create some amazing opportunities to work in people’s lives that maybe have never felt God’s love, or recognized it, before.

What does being a leader mean to you?
Being a leader means going out and doing what others may not be willing to do. It means sacrificing some of the everyday things that I enjoy making sure others are provided with joy, peace, and opportunity. It means being consistent and stable everyday with my habits and energy so I can be approachable and loving to others who may need it. Being a leader is a 24/7 task that takes accountability for every moment of the day, knowing that in any second God could place me in a position to make an impact on someone’s life.

What did your faith look like before coming to DU and what does it look like now?
Before coming to DU, my faith was purely based on a relationship with God that I developed through various life experiences. It was one where I always knew God was there and the things, he wanted me to do and not do, but I didn’t necessarily always lean on him when I should have. However, now my faith is backed by scripture, which is something I didn’t maintain a good habit of engaging in daily. Through scripture, and community, I’ve been able to expand my faith to a constant everyday way of life that involves a new sense of direction oriented towards Christ.

Why did you decide to be a student leader? How has this role impacted your faith?
I decided to become a student leader for two main reasons. The first was that I was just really enjoying FCA and wanted to be involved in more of the behind the scenes work to help reach a larger community. The second reason honestly came from a place where I was kind of scared of the idea to take on that responsibility. I knew my faith and knowledge of the word was a backbone in my life, but I was not living completely for God how I knew I should. So, compared
to some of the other leaders and members of FCA, I was scared to take the role because I didn’t want to mislead others. However, I knew that if I took the role, I’d be forced to live the life God wants for me and therefore I would better my own understanding, while helping others in my path. So, taking on this responsibility has only expanded my faith by making me uncomfortable and seeking comfort and aid from God.

What have been your biggest take-aways from being a student leader?
My biggest take-away so far is just how real and tough the life of a student-athlete is and how the power of prayer really can change the lives of some of the individuals in our community. I have seen God work miracles on some of our community members who struggle with the balance of daily life through persistent prayer. It has really been miraculous and eye-opening to see the power of prayer come to life within a community.

How have you seen God move in your team Bible Study?
God has moved our team bible study by just creating the safest, most vulnerable place where guys who are big characters on the field can come to and find rest in being honest. Being honest with other family members about where they truly struggle, what season of life they are in, how they are happy or unhappy with God now, whatever it may be. Then it just allows God to work through the other members to fill that person with unconditional love, joy, and peace. Furthermore, it transfers into our personal lives to make us better leaders, players, sons, boyfriends, and any other roles we hold in our lives.

How have you been able to influence your team as you have met with them the past academic year?
During this past year, I’ve been able to influence some of the guys on my team by just creating honest, loving, and meaningful relationships with them. Through a consistent weekly platform where we can meet and just talk through life and how we can implement God’s word into our schedules has completely knocked down some walls to allow me and teammates to just be honest with each other. In these moments, I can help influence their daily life and relationship with God by just being encouraging to persist and remain in faith. Amazingly, it has even transferred to our locker room whereas as a team we are able to have open, non-judgmental, hard conversations about religion and spark some curiosity in an environment where religion used to never be a topic of discussion.

Interview with Jason Belloli:

What does it look like to be an athlete in a secular school?
It is challenging being an athlete at a secular school. There are a lot of different temptations and people that discourage my walk of faith. I have learned how important it is to not go through school alone. I have surrounded myself with like-minded people who share the same values that I do. This has made these challenges easier in the fact that I have people who will hold me accountable and be honest with me when I lose sight of God’s vision for myself.

What does being a leader mean to you?
Being a leader means providing a helping hand to my teammates and fellow athletes on campus. My goal is to expand God’s kingdom and cultivate a strong community of Jesus following people. I desire to encourage and be a strong example showing how-to walk-in faith during college and times of change.

What did your faith look like before coming to DU and what does it look like now?
I came to Christ during my Junior year of high school. I really leaned on close friends to learn about Jesus and live out my faith. I was very dependent on others at times which led me to not have a close, personal relationship with Jesus. Now I have made my faith my own and I understand the value in spending time with Jesus alone.

Why did you decide to be a student leader? How has this role impacted your faith?
I decided to be a student-leader because I have always had a desire to lead others and be a vocal person in my community. I was a leader my senior year in high school for my church and have been a part of FCA before so I knew the organization and felt that I would be able to help spread the word of God and the values that FCA instills in athletes. This role has impacted me by furthering my faith exponentially as well as learning how to most effectively spread God’s love to others. I have learned a ton from my fellow leaders and have been so grateful for the leadership group that has pushed me to grow in my faith weekly.

What have been your biggest take-aways from being a student-leader?
Leading and teaching others has made me learn so much about God and how powerful he is. I have been able to see the amazing works the He has done in my team, as well as other athletes at DU.

How have you seen God move in your team bible study?
Our team bible study is small, but I have never had such strong bonds with teammates or friends before. God has allowed the guys that got to our team bible study to have a consistent faith community throughout the week. It has pushed us to be examples for our team and instill great values into our whole team culture.

How have you been able to influence your team as you have met with them the past academic year?
I have been able to support and encourage many teammates through being a leader. In men’s sports it is hard at times to show emotion and be vulnerable with each other, but my vulnerability with guys has led to very open and honest conversations about life on and off the field.

We’re so grateful to have AJ and Jason be a part of DU FCA. These men are committed to following Jesus and humbly living on mission to make Jesus known. It’s exciting to watch God use them as leaders on their team and in DU FCA!

- Sophie Bushong






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