I am the son of a pastor, so naturally, I grew up in and around the church. My Sundays were spent going to the kids’ service, then the big service, and hanging out waiting for my dad to wrap up while I tossed paper airplanes across the sanctuary. Being the pastor’s kid quickly became the most important and formative piece of my identity.
When I was around seven years old, I felt the pull of Jesus on my own heart. It was then that I made the decision to accept Him as my Lord and Savior. I let go of the things that were keeping me from a real relationship with Jesus, recognizing my need for His grace and surrendering control of my life to Him. My faith became personal and authentic, more than just a role assigned to me because of my dad’s position. I had the blessing of being baptized by my father, just as my two older brothers had been before me.
As I got older, I was driven by a strong moral compass. Everything was black and white, by the book. What I did or didn’t do was guided by my identity and reputation as a pastor’s kid rather than an internal desire to obey God out of love for Him. As I leaned into Christian community in high school and college, God continued to work on my heart. I became more sure of my identity not just as the pastor’s kid but as a child of God. I grew more confident in speaking about my faith, and I took on leadership roles in my community in high school and college. It was through this community that I met my now wife, Sally.
After a college career at Furman University, I landed with FC Dallas, a professional soccer club. Immediately, Sally and I intentionally sought out a church in our new home. With the unpredictability and movement that happens in professional sports, our first focus whenever we find ourselves somewhere new is to seek and become embedded in a local Christian community. It is a pillar in our walk with the Lord, keeping us grounded in faith and accountable in our walk.
My faith and the believers who have walked alongside me have been a stabilizing force in my soccer career. My first few years as a professional were plagued with injuries, and as a result, I carried a lot of confusion, resentment, and anger with me. As I talked through my frustration with my mom and brothers, I was able to see the adversity I faced early in my career as a journey to enduring faith. It helped me reframe my mind to trust that I was being forged through the fire, not destroyed by it.
My consistent commitment to my church community, attending men’s bible studies, helping lead small groups, and serving where and when I could, holds me accountable to stay on the path that God had laid out for me. It shifted my perspective away from soccer and onto my heart and the life I was living off the field.
I have come to know that I am more than my performance. A bad game, a bad practice, doesn’t define me, God does. And He calls me His beloved.
Challenge
Have you accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior? If not, what is holding you back?
If you have, take a moment to think about how you have invested in or sought out Christian community. How or where can you seek like-minded believers to challenge you in your walk with the Lord and strengthen your faith?
Who We Are
If you’re wondering how to grow in your relationship with Jesus and find a community that strengthens your faith, we at Athletes in Action would love to help you take that next step. Click here to begin your journey of discovering who Jesus is and how you can have a relationship with Him.