People of TFC: Cleto Lerma

Cleto Lerma has been a smiling, friendly face on campus since his freshman year in 2020. In addition to being one of the captains on the Toccoa Falls College men’s soccer team, Lerma helps lead two B-groups and does his best to stay connected with the campus community. 

When he was thinking about choosing a college, Lerma knew he wanted to play soccer. After coming to a TFC Soccer ID Camp, he was inspired by then-captain Brandon Rockwell and his heart for the Lord. 

In addition to playing soccer at the collegiate level, Lerma felt the Spirit moving him to attend TFC in order to be at a Christian school. 

“I knew God was real,” Lerma says. “But my relationship started here. I came to Christ here.” 

Lerma, who is a junior, was originally a Sports Management major. However, after surrendering his life to Christ, he realized his calling to ministry. He is currently focusing on Youth Ministry and plans to use his gift of speaking Spanish to reach diverse communities or work overseas. 

Growing up in Vienna, Ga., Lerma was raised by a loving and supportive family. His parents are originally from Chihuahua, Mexico, and they immigrated to the United States before Lerma was born. They provided a stable home, and Lerma describes them as givers, which he attempts to reflect while here at TFC. 

Lerma was very involved in high school. He participated in many clubs and worked hard at his academics, but his primary focus was soccer.  It helped him understand the importance of community and striving for something together as a team. By his junior year of high school, Lerma was a captain.

“I was never on a winning team, but I knew what it meant to work hard,” Lerma says.

After coming to TFC, Lerma’s relationship with Christ blossomed. The captain of the soccer team his freshman year, Brandon Rockwell, set a good example for the players. Rockwell encouraged Lerma both on the field and off, helping him to find the importance of seeking opportunities to model Christ and accept the accountability and encouragement that comes with playing soccer at a Christian school. 

Most importantly, Lerma says having a solid group of people was the most important thing for him. Community is key, and Lerma says he has met many people at TFC who have impacted his life for the better and encouraged him in his walk with Christ, including Brandon Rockwell, Brett Warner, Bryce Ginsburg, Jean Marc Ragsdale, Richard Griffith, Rinaldo Bonomi, Caleb Henzmann, Mahima Cooper, John Wood, Josiah Kratz, Ben Oliver, and Grayson Short.

“I encourage [you] to rejoice and know you’re helping people,” says Lerma. “You might not see the fruit, but till the soil.”

Although soccer was initially a fun outlet for Lerma’s dad, the student did not start playing himself until he was in high school. Despite starting later in life, Lerma knew there was more to it than just winning. It was about comradery, teamwork. Once he started attending TFC, Lerma says it became about modeling Christ to his brothers in Christ. 

Rather than focusing on performance, Lerma cares about his teammates on an individual level. By struggling together, the team has found the importance of having each other’s backs. Even though they have struggled this season, trust between the players has grown and they have developed a close sense of community. 

“The guys are a bunch of goofballs,” Lerma says with a laugh. “The team is very close.”

The men participate in a B-group, and they spend quite a bit of time together. This season has been about building the team, and they have been fairly successful in their region. According to Lerma, “a win is coming!”

Lerma’s goals for the rest of the season include being able to compete in the region tournament and making at least the second round. In addition, he hopes to keep the trust between the players beyond the field. Looking toward next year, Lerma’s senior season, he says he would like to continue getting better and not be complacent. He would like to focus next year on setting time apart for team bonding, as well as developing further organization to improve team logistics. 

Give a wave to Lerma next time you see him on campus, and show up to support him and his teammates on the field. Go TFC Screaming Eagles!