Chauncey Franks, the chaplain of Texas Christian University’s football team, looked out into a sea of congregants dressed in various shades of purple and told the audience what he anticipates Fort Worth will look like in the coming weeks.
Just down the street from University Christian Church, where Franks delivered his message Sunday morning, thousands of people will soon pack Amon G. Carter Stadium to watch TCU kick off the 2026 season.
While fans from different walks of life fill the stadium, there’s one thing that brings them together, Franks said.
“Because we’re one. We’re Horned Frogs, and we’re working to cheer each other on,” he said.
TCU players and coaches gathered Aug. 16 at University Christian Church’s Sunday service as the congregation blessed the team before the season begins at the end of August. The Horned Frogs travel to Dublin, Ireland, to open the season Aug. 29 against North Carolina, then face Grambling State University on Sept. 12 for their home opener.
The Rev. Russ Peterman of University Christian Church, left, puts his stole on Chauncey Franks, right, chaplain of Texas Christian University’s football team, as he delivered a message during a Sunday service at University Christian Church on Aug. 16, 2026. (Marissa Greene | Fort Worth Report)
When players step onto the stadium, they represent one team, Franks said. That parallel can also reflect life, he added, referring to Hebrews 12:1-2, which calls believers into spiritual endurance by shedding off hindrances and sins and focusing on Jesus as a source of faith.
“Every last one of us is running a race, and sometimes that race is challenging,” Franks said. “Our heavenly Father is on the finish line, we must encourage each other on our life journey, and as we go through life.”
During the service, the Rev. Russ Peterman, University Christian Church’s senior minister, dove into the Book of John’s early scriptures. He discussed how John’s gospel differs from that of Matthew, Mark and Luke by emphasizing that Christianity requires more than just ethical kindness; it requires heartfelt belief in Jesus Christ.
Texas Christian University football players attend a Sunday service at University Christian Church on Aug. 16, 2026. (Marissa Greene | Fort Worth Report)
To bring home the comparison, Peterman said the players who make a difference are the ones who believe in the team.
“They are the ones that believe in the system, that believe in each other, the ones that play for the guy next to you, not for their own ego,” Peterman said. “They believe in the winning culture that you are created long before the record shows it, and that’s not something that you can fake under the lights, is it?”
The Rev. Russ Peterman, left, receives a signed football from Ansel Din-Mbuh, Chauncey Franks and Hudson Hooper during Texas Christian University’s visit to University Christian Church on Aug. 16, 2026. (Marissa Greene | Fort Worth Report)
Texas Christian University’s football team gives a signed ball to the Rev. Russ Peterman during the team’s visit to University Christian Church on Aug. 16, 2026. (Marissa Greene | Fort Worth Report)
Among the players in attendance was Ansel Din-Mbuh, a senior defensive tackle studying kinesiology and criminal justice. He said the hymns and pastor’s message reminded him of his Presbyterian upbringing in Aledo and struck a tone heading into a new school year and season.
“If there’s no belief behind it, you’re kind of just doing actions that have no purpose,” Din-Mbuh said. “You have to believe in the things that you’re doing, or else why are you doing them?”
Marissa Greene is the faith and fellowships editor at the Fort Worth Report. You can contact her at marissa.greene@fortworthreport.org.
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