By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer
PINEVILLE – Northwestern State men’s head basketball coach Mike McConathy is not just about winning games on the court but also teaching young men off the court how to be effective in life.
“What’s my job as a coach?” McConathy told those attending the recent First@First Business Leaders Lunch at First Baptist Church in Pineville. “To teach young men how to be effective in everything they do.”
Whether in coaching or business, training for life-effectiveness involves two key components, McConathy said. They are communication and paying attention to details.
“If we expect a lot of others we’ve got to give a lot,” said McConathy, who has served as coach of the Demons for 16 years. “And I think that we give and we give unconditionally because Christ gave unconditionally for us.”
McConathy said he doesn’t ask his players to do something he would not do himself.
“My philosophy is if somebody asks me to do it, I’m going to find a way to do it, because they would not ask me to do something if they really didn’t need help,” he said. “A lot of times with God, how frustrating do you think He gets with us because He asks us to study scripture, He asks us to praise Him, He asks us to do all these things. And we do them when it’s convenient for us rather than at times when He really needs us.”
During the first Monday of every month, speakers like McConathy share some wisdom about business from a Christian perspective. Past speakers have included Louisiana College President Rick Brewer, Baptist Message Editor Will Hall, Lessie Moore Elementary Principal Laurie Johnson, author Leo Honeycutt and LSU-Alexandria Professor Sandra Gilliland.
Stewart Holloway, pastor of First Baptist Pineville, said First@First was born out of a desire men in his church had for reaching businessmen and women in the area.
“If we reach the leaders, we reach the business,” Holloway said. “We were looking around and realized this can be an effective way to minister to our community in that way.”
Holloway said First@First has provided not only advice on how to better perform in the business world but networking opportunities as well.
“Anyone wanting to live out their world as a Christian, you need support and encouragement from others,” Holloway said. “You need to know you’re not alone. That’s what First@First helps out with.”
The monthly lunch draws people not just from the Louisiana Baptist churches but those from other denominations as well.
Among those is Rich Dupree, a member of Christian Challenge Worship Center in Pineville.
“There are several reasons why I like to attend First@First each month,” said Dupree, who serves as chief of staff for the Mayor of Pineville. “First is that a majority of the attendees are successful local business people, who I enjoy networking with and it is always a great benefit to my job with the City of Pineville. Second, I know I can always count on an inspiring message from speakers who don’t have to compromise their message – unlike many business luncheons I attend. And I also enjoy supporting a local ministry that is thinking outside the box in reaching our community for Christ.”
Attorney Mike Johnson, who was one of the members of First Baptist Pineville who had the interest in reaching fellow business leaders, said the meetings have been encouraging, educational and spiritually uplifting.
“Based upon the attendance, growth and feedback I believe we have stayed true to that mission and that it’s working,” Johnson said. “I am thankful for Dr. Holloway and First Baptist for supporting the effort and am looking forward to the continued growth of the crowd.”
The next First@First is scheduled for Nov. 2. Anyone interested in attending for the cost of $10, which includes a lunch, may do so by prepaying via credit card at fbcpineville.net or paying at the event. However, an RSVP is requested by Oct. 30 by emailing mlangford@fbcpineville.net.