For most men, there is a true desire and a need for competition. God designed the human male to be strong, to be a warrior, to face a challenge head on and overcome it. Just as the human female is designed to reflect Gods beauty, the human male is designed to reflect Gods power.

However, in todays society, men are often told that their strength is either too much or not enough. Much of our culture has gradually crept to the point of emasculating men, and taming them to the point where they sit behind a desk all day in order to "prosper" and be "productive."

There are few outlets for adult males to assert their masculine prowess. Yet, for two men in Little Rock, they have created such an outlet. It is called the Christian Flag Football League (CFFL).

The CFFL was founded in 2000 by Tony Garlington a member of Parkway Place Baptist Church. After playing in the Little Rock City League for some years, Tony felt the need for a "less than cut-throat" league that is primarily focused on good Christian fun and fellowship. It was a short season in which only six teams participated.

In 2001, the League was cancelled due to the events on September 11 of that year.

In 2002, the League reconvened, this time with seven teams. One of the new teams that season was led by Jim Knox.

Jim,  having had a similar experience to Tony in the City League that season, Jim and Tony shared the vision of a Christian league that was well run, classy, competitive, and an excellent outreach to non-christians who may not otherwise come to church.

In 2003, the CFFL entered seven teams and the competition was gradually getting stronger. In 2004, interest in the League snowballed to the point of 16 teams entering for that season. In 2005, the CFFL had 13 teams, which was smaller than the year before, but somewhat easier to manage, and the quality of each of the teams continued to improve.

The basic formula for the CFFL has been for 8 on 8 flag football. Games are played on Tuesday nights (and occasionally Monday nights) on a lighted field with two paid referees present. Each team plays 10-12 games in the regular season, and every team makes the playoffs which are held in December. The goal every season is to have a champion crowned by December 15.

The Lord has blessed the CFFL every season by providing places to play. Lighted fields in central Arkansas are at a premium, and Jim has poured over aerial photographs of Little Rock trying to find potential fields.

Most importantly, the Lord has blessed the CFFL by providing an excellent ministry and outreach for men who might not normally come to church. It is not truly a "church league" where everyone (or most everyone) has to be a church member. It is designed to be an environment where good sportsmanship and fellowship can be practiced.

Tony and Jim never thought the League would grow to this level, but it has. There are needs for more fields and more referees for the CFFL to continue to grow. As the CFFL looks to the future, they have faith that the Lord will continue to guide them.

They have faith that this ministry will continue to help build Gods Kingdom in central Arkansas.