Tag Archives: Sports

U.S. World Cup Soccer Star Credits Sport For Boosting Faith In God

The American soccer player who set the U.S. World Cup record for fastest goal scored in competition says that the sport has boosted his faith in Christ.

“My parents had started me in the sport to help me learn good people skills,” forward Clint Dempsey told Sports Spectrum. “Little did I know that the sport I loved and the skills I learned would later play a role in my relationship with God.”

Dempsey grew up in a Catholic family and had given up playing soccer because the family was struggling financially and his sister Jennifer was pursuing professional tennis.  Then his sister suddenly died at age 16 from a brain aneurysm and it sent Clint into a spiral.

“I was faced with questions about why things happen and what role God played in it all. For a number of years, I struggled and put distance between God and me,” Dempsey said.

Dempsey returned to playing competitive soccer after his sister’s death and that return led to him coming back to Christ.

“In college, I joined a team Bible study. God’s Word brought me peace and a desire for a relationship with Him,” Dempsey said. “I found that questioning Him and searching for answers through Scripture helped me grow and gave me direction. Now my faith in Christ is what gives me confidence for the future. I know that through both good times and bad, He is faithful and will watch over me.”

Dempsey, now a married father of 3, became the first American to score in three different World Cup tournaments with his goal against Ghana.

NBA Coach Fired Because of Christian Beliefs?

NBA observers were surprised when the Golden State Warriors dismissed coach Mark Jackson despite his very successful run with the team.

Now reports are surfacing that the coach’s strong Christian faith may have played a part in his dismissal from the team.

Mark Jackson, a pastor before being hired to coach the team, was asked on 95.7 FM in the Bay Area about comments Jackson’s strong Christian faith caused problems between himself and ownership that lead to his firing.

“I was hired when I was a pastor. I think it’s unfortunate because if it was true, you don’t encourage media to come do a piece on my church, on my ministry, the work on my faith. Don’t do it when it’s convenient and you’re searching for something. I never went around beating people in the head with a Bible,” said Jackson.

Jackson, the first coach to take the Warriors to the playoffs in consecutive seasons since 1991-1992, said that he is thankful for the opportunity God gave him with Golden State.

“I’m grateful…Maybe that doesn’t sell but I’m grateful for the opportunity and we move on. And God-willing another opportunity will present itself but if not, I’m totally at peace being a husband, a father, a pastor,” Jackson said.

Jackson and his wife Desiree Coleman are co-pastors of the True Love Worship Center International in Reseda, California.

Devout Christian Bubba Watson Wins Masters Championship

Bubba Watson, a dedicated follower of Christ, outclassed the field at Augusta Country Club to win his second Masters championship.

Watson, now a two-time champion, said that two years between wins were a time of significant change in his “attitude toward life.”

“I became a dad,” said Watson. “I see myself as a role model for my son now, not as a golfer but as the man I am. I want to be a role model for him. I don’t want him to look up to anyone else. I want him to look up to me and so I had to change my attitude, had to change my life, the way I was going about it. Not a lot but a little bit, just to get better.”

Watson kept contact through the tournament with his pastor, Judah Smith of City Church in Seattle.  Smith told the golfer to study Philippians 4:11 and to rejoice that God has allowed him to live a dream.

Watson, who says he’s a Christian first, husband and father second and pro golfer third, has been known to organize hour long Bible studies for fellow PGA golfers.

“For me it’s a way to get back connected with the Bible and with God and Jesus. Now you know other people you can talk to, ask questions to, tell them what you’re thinking, tell them what’s going on in your life,” Watson said. “Getting more in the Word and realizing that golf is just an avenue for Jesus to use me to reach as many people as I can.”

“I’ve really got a good team around me trying to help me succeed,” Watson said. “Not just in golf, but off the golf course, to be a light for Jesus.”

Watson celebrated the win with his pastor, his wife and friends at a Waffle House.