Endorsements...What Ed Gomes has meant to others

 

Student-Athlete Endorsements

Testimonies from Liberty University football players who have been discipled by Ed Gomes using the “Leaving a Legacy” discipleship manual

“I am in grateful debt to the leadership and intentional relationship that Ed Gomes built with me as a student-athlete at Liberty University. Our weekly meetings were catalytic in my life and sharpened me to become a more godly man, leader, and servant. With relentless persistence he cared for me, prayed for me, instructed me, opened doors for my life, lead me, and believed in me. He ultimately put the wind in my sails to reproduce the same kind of leaders he is producing; and what better way to pay my debt than leave that same kind of legacy wherever I may go.”

-Zack Duke   Receiver; Luke 2:52 Award recipient and Rock Royer / Mac Riveria Award

“The weekly one on one meeting that I had with Dr. Gomes was the highlight of my week. It was something I always looked forward to. Not only was he a mentor to me but he was also a friend. He was always looking out for me and looking out for my best interest. He was honest when I was wrong about something and an encouragement to me in my spiritual walk. I could not ask for a better mentor in my life during my college years. He is a prayer warrior and I knew he was praying for me every day. He gave me great advice about relationships, my spiritual walk, and family and trained me how to lead my future wife and family. Not only was the meeting once a week but it carried over into my everyday life. He would continue to ask me how I was doing, tell me he was praying for me and even make sure I was doing well in class. I can say I could honestly feel the love that Ed Gomes had for me and the rest of the players. At the end of every meeting he made it a point to pray for the team and for me personally. I cannot put into words how much Ed Gomes means to me. He was and still is a man I can go to for anything. I only hope that I can one day have an impact in a man’s life like the impact he has had on mine. I love you, thank you for everything you have done for me.”          

-Kyle DeArmon             Receiver

“To be honest, I have looked forward to just about every meeting with Ed Gomes since we started. When we meet, I just feel like I'm in the right place and God definitely wants me there. I'm able to just talk as a friend with Ed Gomes while gaining wisdom.  His words are extremely encouraging and his way of putting things really allows you to take it all in.”             

-Leo Cardenas   Running back                                                                                                                 

“I got a lot out of our one on one meeting.  He helped me plan and organize my life in ways that I did realize I could.  Establishing a relationship helped me open up, and I felt like I could talk to him about anything.”       

-Kirby Anderson  Defensive Back 

“The weekly meeting has changed my life from the very start as a freshman seeking to find my role on the football field and discipline in the classroom to being a senior and leaving a legacy for the younger players.  It has helped me to realize the big picture in life and to learn that it is not about me but it is about the glorification of Jesus Christ who died for all. It has meant a lot to me and I pray that others take part in this wonderful process of becoming a better person and having a better relationship with Christ.”           

-Aaron Brown              Offensive Lineman

“The weekly one on one meeting with Ed Gomes was a blessing to my collegiate career. The fellowship and building of a Christ centered relationship played an important role in getting me through low and highs that occurred on a daily basis. The weekly meetings were a blessing during my time college career.”          

-Matt Bevins                All-American Kicker

“The meetings have really been a life changer for me on helping me prepare for life as a man and become more of a man of Christ. And I have been coming out of the meetings stronger and knowing that I'm blessed.”

Malcolm Boyd Offensive Lineman

“The meetings that we have over the past three years have made me the man that I am today.” 

-Aaron Lundy                Offensive lineman, Captain

“Meeting with Ed Gomes has meant the world to me. It has given me an opportunity to gain incredible wisdom and insight from a great source. He has poured into me in a very stressful time, and for that I am forever grateful.”         

-Brandon Robinson     Defensive Back, Captain

“Meeting with Ed Gomes has been a consistent source of joy and encouragement in my life.  Gomes has both challenged me when I needed spurring along, while encouraging me in the midst of a long year-cycle that student athletes go through.  I have benefited greatly from Ed Gomes being an accountability partner and spiritual mentor in my life.”      

-Brandon Apon            Tight End

“I truly have enjoyed meeting every week because whenever we met we both ALWAYS got blessed. It was something that I looked forward to whenever we got the chance to do so. You are definitely someone I look up to have my back and someone I can always come to. I truly appreciate you in all that you do.”      

-Kevin Fogg                Defensive Back / All-American Punt and Kick Returner         

“It meant accountability. It was good to be able to meet with someone who is spiritual who will help you stay on track as a Christ follower. It was something to help me continue growing as a young man.”     

-Cory Freeman Defensive Lineman

“The once a week meeting, is probably one of the biggest things I cherish, with being a part of the Liberty University Football program. Ed Gomes is a huge inspiration to my life, and the one- on-one, man to man accountability has taught me how to live my life correct, as a man. It has been something that I will have for the rest of my life.”         

-Richard Wright           All-American Long Snapper

“Meeting with Ed Gomes one on one has provided an opportunity for accountability and a time of spiritual development and growth.  Every Tuesday I look forward to hearing the advice of someone wiser than me, as well as being able to share my own stories with him.  His Leaving a Legacy discipleship has really resounded in me; it is something I want and need to hear as a young man and an athlete.  The material has such a broad spectrum, from how to choose the right person to date, to how to be a leader to my teammates; it is extremely beneficial to get a spiritual foundation on all of these subjects.  Meeting with Ed has been an awesome experience that I have thoroughly enjoyed; he is an awesome mentor and friend.”           

-Andrew Cordasco           Tight End

“My weekly meetings have offered a time of refreshment through discussing of the Word of God. They have been a great time of accountability as well as encouragement. Weekly meetings with Ed Gomes are comfortable and casual; making it easy to share what has been going on in our lives with each other.”  

-Eric Fath        Linebacker

“The weekly meetings with Ed Gomes have been very beneficial not only in learning about God, but also using you as an accountability partner in my walk with Christ. Going through a different lesson each week really enhanced my knowledge and wisdom on different subjects.” 

-Garrett Long              Tight End

“The weekly meetings with Ed Gomes were truly life changing. Utilizing the Leaving a Legacy (Put Leaving a Legacy in italics) discipleship manual he is really putting The Great Commission into action. Not only is Ed Gomes making disciples through the discipleship manual, but is also equipping others to go out and make disciples themselves. He took me under his wing and equipped me with the skills I needed to be a spiritual leader on the football team and for the rest of my life.”

-Brent Vincent,            Defensive Back, Luke 2:52 Recipient Award

“I truly have enjoyed meeting with Ed Gomes, whenever we met we ALWAYS got blessed. It was something that I looked forward to weekly. Ed was definitely someone I looked up to and knew he had my back. I truly appreciate all he did for me.”

-Kevin Fogg,                Defensive Back/All-American Punt-and-Kick Returner

One-on-one meetings with Ed Gomes were always a unique and special opportunity to receive wisdom and guidance. The ability to bring all the avenues of life from sports, academics, relationships, and life in general, and have an open and honest discussion was truly a blessing. Gomes provided a guiding and loving hand which helped shape and mold me into the man I am today. I will always be indebted for him pouring into me during our many many one-on-one meeting:

-Dexter Robbins Linebacker

My weekly meeting with Coach Gomes was a form of accountability. We were able to talk about real life problems and work on developing habits that help me to become a better man. Also, I learn how to take what I am learning through collegiate football and apply that to life, so I can be a leader that models Christ in all stages of life

-Trey Turner         Punter

My time with Ed Gomes was essential to my spiritual growth at Liberty. Ed was a true spiritual father to me, coming from a home where faith was not a priority; he taught me how to become a man of God. Our meetings build character, love, and respect. It didn't matter the situation, Coach was always there to uplift me, guide me, and support me. There were lots of laughs, lots of jokes, and some tears. But through thick and thin, I could, and still can, count on coach to be there for me as my spiritual coach! So, I am extremely grateful for my time with Ed Gomes

-Zack Schreiber          Linebacker

The one on one time meant a lot to me. Especially, during my first semester at Liberty University. That was a time where I was lost, I was not sure who I was, why I was at Liberty and whether or not I wanted to stay. It was during the one on one time with Gomes that I received constant confirmation that I was a child of God and that I was placed at Liberty University with purpose and that God’s plans were great for me. Gomes spoke truth and life into my life and taught me how to be a man of God. Through his words, I was given confidence in what Christ was doing. Through his actions, I learned how to be a servant, especially when no one was watching

-Miles Hunter             Defensive Back

Every week, I would meet with Ed Gomes. I can still remember the “Hammer and Chisel Principle” and the many lessons I learned through our time. Gomes would impart wisdom to me through one-on-one discipleship. It was during his time that I was challenged most to take small steps of obedience to honor the Lord. I am so thankful that the Lord put Ed and his discipleship tool in my life to help guide me through college athletics

-Javen Shashaty       Quarterback:  Luke 2:52 Award recipient and Rock Royer / Mac Rivera Award