Competing for Christ Podcast

Today, we’re talking about staying ready for the moment and being ready to not only perform on the field, but perform off the field when sharing the Gospel with someone. Just like when you’re on the bench or getting ready to go in a game, you have to be ready. Jesus even says that we will not know the day or time when He comes back, so we have to be ready at any point.

Seth Porter is a Kansas State football player that has so much experience in this area. He prioritizes being prepared to show and spread the Gospel through his words and actions. He’s also had to stay ready for the moment for his entire athletic career for a chance to show what he can do as a walk-on athlete. But when he’s gotten those opportunities, he capitalizes, like scoring his first career touchdown just a couple of weeks ago.

Listen to learn more about:

• The most difficult part of his athletic career
• What keeps pushing him to succeed after six years in college
• Being ready for anything, on or off the football field
• What the Bible says about staying prepared
• A special moment following Seth's first touchdown
• How he stays humble and satisfied with Jesus

PODCAST MERCH IS NOW AVAILABLE!! Check out the official podcast store for Competing for Christ hats, shirts, hoodies and more. From every sale that we get, half of that money is going to Christian sports organizations that are making a difference for Christ in the world of sports. Use discount code CFC20 to get 20% off your order TODAY!

Subscribe to the show and share this episode!

https://www.competingforchristpodcast.com/

Need encouragement or want to come on the show?

Text me: (904) 463-5917

Email me: [email protected]

For athletes, working hard is a part of our DNA. It's an essential part if you want to succeed or play to the best of your ability. But what does the Bible say about working hard? How do you know if you're working TOO hard? Is there such thing as working hard for the wrong reasons?

Today, I'm going to be talking about what athletes can learn from studying Colossians 3:23, what hard work should mean to an athlete, and why we are called to not only work hard at everything we do, but dedicate that to the Lord. While we may want to impress coaches, teammates, parents, or scouts, we must remember why we love, why we play, and why we are called to the sports that we love.

Throughout this solo episode, I'll be touching on:

• What Colossians 3:23 should mean to athletes
• How and why we are called to work hard
• Working hard for the wrong reasons
• Playing or practicing for God
• Three practical pieces of advice to rethink how you work

PODCAST MERCH IS NOW AVAILABLE!! Check out the official podcast store for Competing for Christ hats, shirts, hoodies and more. From every sale that we get, half of that money is going to Christian sports organizations that are making a difference for Christ in the world of sports. Use discount code CFC20 to get 20% off your order TODAY!

Subscribe to the show and share this episode!

https://www.competingforchristpodcast.com/

Need encouragement or want to come on the show?

Text me: (904) 463-5917

Email me: [email protected]

Geremy Davis has been sharing the Gospel through sports for years now. While it may be in a variety of different ways and capacities, he continues to put Jesus first in everything that he does. 

Geremy played football at UCONN and went on to play in the NFL for three different teams. As someone who had one of the most prolific careers for a wide receiver at UCONN, he dedicates everything that he has to Christ and has done that since before playing in college. Through injuries, uncertainties, and hardship, there is so much to be said about what God has been able to do through him. 

Now that he has concluded his playing career on the gridiron, Geremy has shifted his mindset to a set of irons! As he is the host of the YouTube channel Golf and Gospel, he interviews athletes and the like about their playing career, what they’ve faced as athletes, and how their faith shapes everything that they do. Geremy is not ashamed of the Gospel and you can sense the passion that he has for Jesus throughout our conversation today.

Listen today and learn more from Geremy about:

• His successes and battles as a UCONN and NFL football star
• The hardest part of living out his faith as a Division 1 athlete and in the NFL
• Making the transition after his career concluded
• The backstory of Golf and Gospel
• Why he's obsessed with golf and sharing the Gospel with others
• Expecting the unexpected when following Jesus

Check out Golf and Gospel here!

PODCAST MERCH IS NOW AVAILABLE!! Check out the official podcast store for Competing for Christ hats, shirts, hoodies and more. From every sale that we get, half of that money is going to Christian sports organizations that are making a difference for Christ in the world of sports. Use discount code CFC20 to get 20% off your order TODAY!

Subscribe to the show and share this episode!

https://www.competingforchristpodcast.com/

Need encouragement or want to come on the show?

Text me: (904) 463-5917

Email me: [email protected]

Something that is so important for every person that follows Jesus is putting people around you that love you, want to see you succeed, and most importantly speak God’s truth into your life. As an athlete, the teammates and friends that are around you will most likely influence how you live and how you act.

On today's episode, Braxston Cave, former Notre Dame and NFL offensive lineman joins the show to discuss his incredible athletic journey, his experience with God surrounding him with the right people, and more. He had an outstanding career as a football player, was one of the highest ranked recruits coming out of high school, and most importantly has a passion for following Jesus. Listen for more, including:

• His experience playing in the 2012 national championship game
• Repping Christ on the Notre Dame campus and in an NFL locker room
• What he's learned about surrounding himself with the right people vs. the wrong crowd
• Showing Christ to those around you that don't know Christ
• “As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend.”

PODCAST MERCH IS NOW AVAILABLE!! Check out the official podcast store for Competing for Christ hats, shirts, hoodies and more. From every sale that we get, half of that money is going to Christian sports organizations that are making a difference for Christ in the world of sports. Use discount code CFC20 to get 20% off your order TODAY!

Subscribe to the show and share this episode!

https://www.competingforchristpodcast.com/

Need encouragement or want to come on the show?

Text me: (904) 463-5917

Email me: [email protected]

Joseph Mwaura is the Founder and Director of New Hope Sport Centre in Naivasha, Kenya. Not only does this organization give opportunities to children in Africa through sports, they also share the Gospel with athletes that otherwise may never hear about Jesus. 

Today, I sit down with Joseph to discuss how New Hope Sport Centre gives opportunities through sports to children. Joseph gets to be a father figure to hundreds of children, some of whom do not have fathers or have been neglected in their lives.

Listen to hear more about:

• Trials and battles that Joseph has faced in his life
• How he used difficult situations to promote Jesus to hundreds
• Why it's important to reach out to our special needs communities to make them feel included and loved
• Why sports are a great way to spread the Gospel
• The most impactful story of a child that he has helped through sports

Check out New Hope Sport Centre here!

PODCAST MERCH IS NOW AVAILABLE!! Check out the official podcast store for Competing for Christ hats, shirts, hoodies and more. From every sale that we get, half of that money is going to Christian sports organizations that are making a difference for Christ in the world of sports. Use discount code CFC20 to get 20% off your order TODAY!

Subscribe to the show and share this episode!

https://www.competingforchristpodcast.com/

Need encouragement or want to come on the show?

Text me: (904) 463-5917

Email me: [email protected]

Success for Christian athletes may look different than others. Although we may want to succeed by performing well, winning, or even earning a scholarship or going pro, success for someone that loves Jesus means trusting His plan, sharing His word, and showing Christ through our actions. 

Author, podcast host of The Success Chronicles, motivational speaker, and former football player Chip Baker joins us today to talk about what success should mean, and what it should look like for a Christian athlete. Chip is surrounded with success and has literally written books, gave hundreds of talks, and has spent eight years podcasting about this topic. 

Throughout the conversation, we talk about:

• How failing can contribute to your success
• What Jesus says about success
• How to not make your achievements and victories an idol in your life.
• Reminding yourself that success as a Christ follower is bigger than what this world has to offer
• What to do if you're feeling discouraged from lack of success

PODCAST MERCH IS NOW AVAILABLE!! Check out the official podcast store for Competing for Christ hats, shirts, hoodies and more. From every sale that we get, half of that money is going to Christian sports organizations that are making a difference for Christ in the world of sports. Use discount code CFC20 to get 20% off your order TODAY!

Subscribe to the show and share this episode!

https://www.competingforchristpodcast.com/

Need encouragement or want to come on the show?

Text me: (904) 463-5917

Email me: [email protected]

Chris Elliott, Athletic Trainer at Grand Canyon University and former collegiate basketball player, joins the show to discuss what it means to play "beyond the game". The thoughts and wisdom that he brings to this conversation really shows how you can make an impact on athletes in a variety of different ways. 

Throughout this episode you will hear a lot about Chris’ background as an athlete and his battle through injuries in his career. You will also hear about a special project that he is working on with athletes ranging from the high school level up to professional athletes. This project, a daily devotional called “Beyond the Game”, has 365 entries from 365 different athletes.

Listen and learn about:

• How an injury in his athletic career changed the trajectory of his life and career
• What one athletic trainer meant to him as a player
• Being a witness for Christ to athletes on a daily basis
• How to perform "beyond the game"
• Reminding ourselves that we perform, compete, and live for a higher purpose
• Where/When/How everyone can get the devotional

Follow the Beyond the Game Instagram and X pages for updates on when this devotional will launch!

PODCAST MERCH IS NOW AVAILABLE!! Check out the official podcast store for Competing for Christ hats, shirts, hoodies and more. From every sale that we get, half of that money is going to Christian sports organizations that are making a difference for Christ in the world of sports. Use discount code CFC20 to get 20% off your order TODAY!

Subscribe to the show and share this episode!

https://www.competingforchristpodcast.com/

Need encouragement or want to come on the show?

Text me: (904) 463-5917

Email me: [email protected]

For athletes, it’s so difficult to feel content when everyone and everything around you is striving to be better and wanting the next best thing. We have to ask ourselves where that line is, that fine balance between feeling like you have it all covered yet still push yourself to be the best person, the best Christ follower you can be.

Joining the show to talk about this important issue is collegiate football player Keegan McCormack-Reamer. Keegan brings a great perspective to this episode, as he struggles with finding that balance as well, yet relies on the Lord through this process in his football career. Through injuries, scholarship losses, and more trials, he hasn’t lost his faith and that is shown by his humility, determination, and grit.

Talking points for today:

• Keegan's unique upbringing with 14 siblings
• Chasing his dream of playing professional football
• Difficulty finding the balance between being satisfied and wanting more
• The unhealthy nature of athletes pushing their body too far
• What God has taught him about trusting in His plan
• The glorification of wanting more and more as an athlete

Subscribe to the show and share this episode!

https://www.competingforchristpodcast.com/

Need encouragement or want to come on the show?

Text me: (904) 463-5917

Email me: [email protected]

According to the Pew Research Center, about half of Americans believe that God determines what happens to them most or all of the time. Nearly eight-in-ten US adults think God or a higher power has protected them, and two-thirds of Americans say they have been rewarded by the Almighty.

For us as athletes, we have to ask ourselves if we believe that God has put us where we are right now for a particular purpose. God does give us opportunities as athletes to use our talents and abilities, and more importantly puts us into positions to share the Gospel by our words and actions. 

Brand new head baseball coach at Crown College and former professional baseball player Colt Sedbrook joins us today to discuss his background as a coach, professional athlete, and collegiate athlete. We also go in depth on taking advantage of the opportunities that God puts in front of us and what it takes to use those chances to best serve those around us.

Listen to learn more about:

• The most difficult level of sport for him - playing collegiately, playing professionally, or coaching
• How the transition to a head baseball coach has drawn him closer to God
• Finding a balance of feeling content in Jesus, yet wanting to excel and increase in your career and abilities
• How to take advantage of each situation God puts you in
• Trusting in Jesus through discouraging times
• Advice he got as a player on relying on his abilities and God's plan

Subscribe to the show and share this episode!

https://www.competingforchristpodcast.com/

Need encouragement or want to come on the show?

Text me: (904) 463-5917

Email me: [email protected]

In Matthew 19, Jesus says, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” How can sports be a way of reaching children for the sake of the Gospel? How can you show Jesus to children that may have experienced trauma in their lives?

Joining us today is Jimmy Larche, founder of Breakaway Outreach, an organization founded to empower young people with Gospel transformation and make disciples of Jesus Christ through nurturing communities of faith, hope, and love. What is so unbelievable about Jimmy’s story is that at one point in his life, he found himself in a juvenile detention center and didn’t know what the future held. Flash forward years later, and he helps youth affected by trauma find themselves and find Jesus all over the world through sports. 

There are so many discussion points in today's show, including:

• How someone visiting him in juvie changed the trajectory of his life
• Why he felt called by God to start Breakaway Outreach
• How he has seen sports and other ministries reach youth around the world
• What Jesus meant when He said to have faith like a child
• Steps taken to ensure love and care for children affected by hardship
• Lessons he's learned from working in this ministry for years

Read more about Breakaway Outreach here!

https://www.competingforchristpodcast.com/

Need encouragement or want to come on the show?

Text me: (904) 463-5917

Email me: [email protected]