Jacques Botes - A "Fetcher" for God
Flanker and ‘fetcher’ specialist Jacques Botes is a member of the Sharks’ Christian cell group. Jacques spoke to JOY! about the rough and tumble of being a Christian rugby star.
WHAT IS YOUR CHRISTIAN BACKGROUND?
I’m from a conservative Afrikaans family in Pretoria, went to church all my life and did the Sunday School thing. But there came a stage, just before I came to Durban, when I asked: Why am I doing what I am doing? I then did an Alpha course through our church and that answered a lot of my questions. I got involved with our church and the cell groups at Umhlanga Harvest. Before, I had always tried just to do what I thought was right, but it was very much a religious thing compared to a true relationship with my Saviour Jesus Christ.
I have been lucky to be involved in men’s groups at our church that Peter Pollock (evangelist, Springbok fast bowler and father of Shaun Pollock) and Tich Smith (former Natal rugby and cricket player) spearhead. Walking with people who are mature in their faith has made a huge difference in my life.
THE WORLD OF RUGBY IS CHANGING. NOW YOU HAVE YOUNG PROFESSIONALS STANDING UP ON TV IN FRONT OF THE NATION GIVING GOD THE GLORY. HELP US UNDERSTAND WHAT IS HAPPENING HERE?
Historically, I suppose Christianity and the church have been seen in the rugby world as a Sunday thing. You play your rugby and do your thing during the week and then church comes on Sunday, if at all. Now there are more sportsmen who believe we are all disciples on a daily basis. God wants to be an intimate part of every area of our lives and that very definitely includes rugby. You can’t just box Him in on a Sunday at whatever time you go to church. Once you start involving God daily in your life, everything has more purpose.
HOW DOES BEING A SPORTS CELEBRITY AFFECT YOU AS A CHRISTIAN?
People know who you are and either they support you flat out, or not at all. People often watch your every move. Media exposure can be great but it can be harsh as well. We are God’s children and you just have to know that you are who God says you are. That’s all that matters. It has been a big challenge for me that I have had to overcome with God’s help.
WHAT DO NON-BELIEVERS THINK ABOUT THEIR HEROES STANDING UP ON TV AND PRAISING GOD?
I used to think it was quite strange as well. One of our main focuses is that we have been given this amazing platform. A lot of people would love to be in our shoes; many just hang on what we say, or they look at our lives and want to be part of it. We have this amazing opportunity to be able to testify or just bless people and get the Lord’s Word out there.
The Scripture that always rings true to me is James 4: 8: “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.” When you show your willingness and start reaching out to the Lord, that’s when He will reveal Himself to you in new ways. He always has something new that He is going to show you – and that is what is really exciting! Our lives should be about honouring Him and a testimony to His Grace.
WHAT REACTION HAVE YOU, AS CHRISTIANS, HAD TO DECLARING YOUR FAITH TO THE SOUTH AFRICAN PUBLIC?
The reaction has reflected both sides of the coin. Some think it is a bit over the top. ‘Why involve the Lord?’ they say. On the other hand, people say, ‘Wow, it’s so amazing that you guys stand up for the Lord.’ It has opened a lot of doors for us to share what God is doing in our lives...
IS THERE A DEMAND FOR YOUR TESTIMONY?
Yes, especially when the community knows you are willing. We testify at churches, men’s groups, schools and so on. It’s great reaching young people and, because we are Sharks, it’s also a ‘wow’ for some of the young guys who see us as role models.
SUDDEN CELEBRITY STATUS CAN BE A PITFALL FOR SOME SPORTS STARS. HOW DOES THIS MIX WITH CHRISTIANITY?
If you walk with the Lord, it keeps things in perspective. Many of the pitfalls, and a lot of guys do fall into them, are the things of the world. As a born-again believer, one is aware of these pitfalls because the focus of your life is not just on you. It’s all about living right in God’s eyes. 1 Corinthians 4:7 says: “What do you have that God hasn’t given you. And if all you have is from God, why boast as though you have accomplished something on your own.” This verse has helped me realise how much God has entrusted to me. The question I ask myself is, What do I do with it?
IN TODAY’S WORLD OF HYPER-SPORTS STARS – BECKHAM MANIA, FOR INSTANCE – WHAT ABOUT IDOLATRY?
Sadly, some supporters do live themselves out through a sports team or an individual. They follow the team around and that’s all they live for. People have to ask themselves how much time and effort and emotion they are putting into rugby, a soccer match, or their heroes. If they love it more than the Lord, then it is an idol and that is detestable to God.
ANGUS BUCHAN HAS FILLED STADIUMS ACROSS SA. WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THIS?
Who would have thought this could happen even five years ago? The Spirit of the Lord is becoming a reality to so many more people. When I was growing up you didn’t talk about things of the Spirit - that was a bit weird, you know. The Spirit of the Lord is impressing it on people’s hearts to be bold and share their faith with the friend next door; His Spirit wants them to step out. The end is very near. Many of our family, friends and neighbours, sadly, are going to go the wrong way and if you really want them to go with you, you have to boldly tell them the Truth of the Gospel.
SO DO YOU GUYS HAVE AN EVANGELICAL ROLE?
If sport opens a door, we must take that opportunity. More and more children from underprivileged, difficult backgrounds are being uplifted through sport development programmes, which is great. But there is more to life than sport. All these things are wonderful, but if one comes back to the crux of it - people need Jesus. People, whether young or old, just need Jesus and we must introduce Him to them in any way possible.
ARE YOU GUYS INVOLVED IN PROJECTS AND OUTREACHES?
The Bible says: “To whom much is given, much is expected” (Luke 12:48) and though our cell group is still in the initial stages, it is starting to happen more and more. We have this great platform called the Sharks.
We want to make a difference and jump at opportunities to help. We have just organised an outreach on the flooded township of Louisiana on the South Coast. Henno Mentz was deeply involved and initiated the programme. It’s easy to talk; now we are starting to walk it out.
TELL US ABOUT YOUR CELL GROUP?
In our cell group there were just a few guys when we felt the need to start the group about three and a half years ago. It has grown slowly and there are now about 12 guys at a weekly session. We do not follow a set programme. We have a chat, perhaps on a specific topic if there is something someone has raised, work through a devotional book or have guys share their testimonies. Sometimes these are ex-players, like Jeremy Thompson, who know what we are going through and this encourages us. When we go on tour, such as the Super 14 tour to Australia, someone from one of the churches there links up with us and usually arranges for us to go to one of their churches, like Hillsong.
We have a bigger basis of Christians to work from here in South Africa than in Australia, even though many of the guys still know Christianity as just a religion. We are blessed in this country.
WHAT DO YOU WANT TO SHARE WITH FELLOW CHRISTIANS?
We are all called to make a difference. We are all involved in a certain sphere of influence and no matter how mundane it may seem to you, your everyday life can win people to Him if they start seeing His light shining through you. As a Christian it is your privilege to be able to reflect the Lord’s light towards other people. I am a disciple disguised as a rugby player. I may not necessarily be called as a mainline preacher, but I can preach by the way I live my life on and off the field. A lot of the guys, and I include myself, are not yet where we want to be. However, we are thankful that we are not where we used to be.
What we say about God can actually have a negative impact if we don’t back it up with our actions. If a guy says ‘Hallelujah, praise the Lord,’ but then hits a nightclub, grabs the first girl who comes on to him and goes home at four am, it can be damaging. It is worthless if they can’t see Jesus reflected in your life.
|
