Fans of the Winnipeg Jets get to cheer on the NHL-leading club each game, and Lorne Korol serves as the chaplain to the team and cheers them on and off the ice as well.
"I come alongside them and support them," says Korol. "I'll be there to support the guys via text and maybe see them around the rink. Just trying to come alongside them and be a calming voice in their lives because there is a lot of pressure on them."
While thousands of eyes are on the players each game, Korol says it's important for them to stick together and remember Who they're playing for. "They try to stay within themselves and among each other. We encourage them, and they're doing it for an audience of one; they're playing for God. That certainly is a source of encouragement for them, and also a source of comfort that they know that they're leaving it all on the ice for Him."
Playing for an audience of One is one of the cornerstones of Athletes in Action, where Korol is a missionary. "They're playing for God. Every time I text them, when they're on a road trip, I say, 'Leave it on the ice for an audience.' With that audience being God. I find that it's one of our cornerstones of Athletes in Action. We do with all of our teams that we work with. It's one of those staples in ministry that allows the players to understand that when I say the bigger picture, I mean the bigger picture is that God's involved and He's got them for the right here, right now. He's got them in this place."
Through the chapel program, Korol says there have been six players going consistently. "They've been really digging into God's Word. It's been a good opportunity to see them grow in their faith, and it prepares them and sets them up."
Korol says having a front row seat to see the players grow has been a blessing. "It's an honour and a blessing to be able to serve them and to have a front row seat to watch them grow in their faith. Even though it's been an amazing season there. There are still ups and downs. There's things that go on off the ice. I always say that pro athletes have real-life issues just like the rest of us. People are sick, families, and different things that we need prayer for. And then there's those fun things too, like Eric Comrie's wife had a baby last week. We were able to pray for that as well. It's a blessing to be there, to walk alongside him, but see them grow absolutely."
As the Jets head into the postseason, Korol asks CHVN listeners to keep the team in prayer. "I would pray for the players to focus and also understand that it's a bigger picture, that the platform that they've been blessed with is amazing. The further they go in the playoffs, the bigger the platform, because the more eyes are on them. And so for them to be able to focus, but also to be able to be at peace, understanding that they're playing for God. And that they're playing for an audience of One. And that they see the bigger picture, and it can take pressure off them."
The Stanley Cup Playoffs kick off this weekend, and Korol is confident the Jets have what it takes to win. "We're predicting we're going to go all the way. We trust that, and if we think anything else, then we're not giving ourselves a chance. At the same time, just take it game by game and series by series. You have to be positive as you go into it."