Competing for Christ Podcast

Today, we get to hear about Somi Azubike’s testimony, his journey through football, and how he has grown his faith in Christ throughout recent years. Somi plays collegiate football at Kentucky Christian University and you will notice that his testimony is real, and you get a real sense of what it’s like to be a collegiate football player nowadays by his story. 

During our discussion, Somi shares what he has gone through in his personal life and his career as an athlete, and what it means to him to fully rely on God even when the unknown looms ahead. Listen as we talk about some in-depth topics, including:

• Somi's faith journey to get to where he is today
• How Jesus has impacted how Somi plays sports and lives his life
• An unbelievable story on finding Kentucky Christian
• Finding a balance of the emotions that come with sport
• How he would change his journey up until this point
• Reminding yourself what your identity is in

https://www.competingforchristpodcast.com/

Need encouragement or want to come on the show?

Text me: (904) 463-5917

Email me: [email protected]

Today we are talking with Liberty University Track Athlete and Captain Will Jefferson on his journey and how God has guided him to get to where he is today. We dissect how Will has allowed Christ to be at the center of his life, how He has played a huge role in his life, and more on the life of a college recruit/athlete.

No matter what stands in Will's way, there are three things that stuck out throughout our discussion: faith, leadership, and humility. Will possesses all three of these characteristics, which is truly necessary as Christians in sport today. Throughout this conversation, learn more about Will and his journey as we talk about:

• Will's unique path through the recruiting process
• Advice he would give for every athlete that wants to play in college
• Handling the pressure and anxiety that comes with being a Division 1 college athlete
• Managing success
• Prioritizing humility in a sports world that is anything but humble

https://www.competingforchristpodcast.com/

Need encouragement or want to come on the show?

Text me: (904) 463-5917

Email me: [email protected]

Luke Heaton, UNPACKIN’ it Sports Ministries Social Media Director and the Co-Host of The UNPACKIN’ it Podcast, joins the show today to talk about how to have passion for Jesus over the sports that we can be consumed by. UNPACKIN’ it is a sports fan ministry that is such a great resource for anyone and everyone that follows Jesus and loves sport. This organization is one of a kind and helps sports fans all over become passionate for Jesus. 

Our conversation talks a lot about how we as Christians and athletes can keep our love for sports in check, as this is such a hard topic to conquer for us surrounded by athletics. Listen and learn more about:

• The goal of Unpackin’ it
• How Christians can stick out in their fan bases
• Loving sports as fans (or as athletes) and not letting it get in the way of our love for Jesus
• Holding athletes to a higher standard in a bad way
• What athletes can learn about keeping composure when fans may not

https://www.competingforchristpodcast.com/

Need encouragement or want to come on the show?

Text me: (904) 463-5917

Email me: [email protected]

In John 15, Jesus states that if we were of the world, the world would love you as its own. But since Jesus has chosen us to be out of the world, we should be prepared for the world to hate us. Are we ready for those kinds of trials as Christians in sports? Are we prepared to have boos pouring on us just because we wear a cross around our neck or put on eye black that says John 3:16?

Today, we get to talk with Butler University Assistant Women’s Basketball Coach Kristin Wodrich on being in the world, but not being of the world. As Kristin has played Division 1 basketball, coached at a plethora of Division 1 and 2 institutions, she has dedicated her career to helping the next generations of athletes through basketball. It’s apparent that even though she’s been at secular schools, she always portrays the love of Jesus to her players. 

Many topics are discussed today, including:

• College being a make or break time for a lot of people's faith
• Sticking out for Christ even in a fallen world
• Being a Christian at a secular school vs being a secular person at a Christian school
• Setting the example as a coach for athletes
• How Christians are "built different" as leaders

https://www.competingforchristpodcast.com/

Need encouragement or want to come on the show?

Text me: (904) 463-5917

Email me: [email protected]

When Head Basketball Coach John Mosley of East Los Angeles College was invited on the hit Netflix show "Last Chance U", he was hesitant. Although it would be a cool opportunity, it would be an all-access docuseries, filming every move he and his players made. Although he didn't want to, he knew it would be a way of showing people Christ through his life and coaching.

This show is dramatic, it’s inspiring, and it reveals the grittiness that the JUCO basketball life is. It shows the good and difficult moments for a coach and his players that come from different upbringings, most of them living a very hard life or making mistakes before coming to East LA. But Coach Mosley uses this time with them to not only coach them in basketball, but pour into their lives. 

In our conversation today, Coach Mosley gives us a behind the scenes look into his coaching career, his philosophies, more about Last Chance U, and most importantly, his faith in Jesus Christ. He attributes where he’s at and all the success he’s had to Christ, and that is apparent throughout our talk. Listen as we discuss:

• How Coach Mosley has been able to reach athletes through basketball for the sake of Christ
• A mission trip to Brazil that changed the trajectory of his life
• His personal experience as a Netflix star
• Showing emotions as a Christian in sport
• How he hopes "Last Chance U" helps his players and more
• Glorifying God even when the spotlight is on us

https://www.competingforchristpodcast.com/

Need encouragement or want to come on the show?

Text me: (904) 463-5917

Email me: [email protected]

This new segment features Ken and Fabish Mark (guest from Episode 16 and friend of the show!) discussing current and general sports events, topics, and issues. As we come from different countries, backgrounds, and perspectives, our faith and love for sports brings us together to have this unscripted, fun, and hilarious conversation.

In this wild conversation, we discuss:

• What is the hardest sport?
• Why is Saudi Arabia trying to take all athletes?
• Should professional teams scout in East Africa?
• Why do old soccer (football) players come to the US?
• Why did Ken wrestle as a 12 year old?
• How big was the hand that slapped Fabish?

https://www.competingforchristpodcast.com/

Need encouragement or want to come on the show?

Text me: (904) 463-5917

Email me: [email protected]

Mark Otieno Odhiambo is a Kenyan world class track athlete. As a national champion and ranked as one of the fastest people not only in Kenya but in the world, he has a relationship with God that is inspiring and firm. Throughout our conversation today, we talk about a lot of things that will make you think about God’s love, His faith, and how he continues to be with Mark even through difficult circumstances. 

As we discuss what it looks like to show Christ through his performance and how he carries himself, Mark stays humble and gives insight into picking up his cross daily to follow God. Listen and learn more about:

• Keeping Christ at the center of your life and athletic career
• How the sports culture in Kenya shaped the athlete that Mark is today
• Why he chose to compete in track and field professionally
• Making those around you better through your actions and words
• Is it more difficult to spread the Gospel as a professional athlete? 

https://www.competingforchristpodcast.com/

Need encouragement or want to come on the show?

Text me: (904) 463-5917

Email me: [email protected]

On today’s episode, we are talking to Hall of Fame Basketball Coach and Nations of Coaches Director Mike Lightfoot about finding purpose in sports. From 1987 to 2017, he was the head basketball coach at Bethel University, leading the Pilots to 794 wins, 3x NAIA Division II National Championships, 4x NCCAA National Championships, 11x NCCAA Regional Championships, 18x Mid Central Conference/Crossroads League Championships. As a nine-time National Coach of the Year and being inducted into six different Hall of Fames, he is considered one of the greatest basketball coaches of all time.

Coach Lightfoot puts Christ above every single accomplishment that he received as a basketball coach. He is passionate about finding purpose through Christ, rather than in sports. Today, we sit down with him and talk about his journey, how he made his athletes better on and off the court, and much more.

Topics for today's episode:

• How he managed to keep every accomplishment in perspective
• Focusing on the present instead of the future or the past
• How he conveyed to his players that their purpose should be more than basketball in life
• Staying grounded through the highs and lows of life
• How Nation of Coaches makes an impact on coaches throughout the country

https://www.competingforchristpodcast.com/

Need encouragement or want to come on the show?

Text me: (904) 463-5917

Email me: [email protected]

If I asked you if you’ve given God full control over your life, would you be able to say yes?

On this episode of the Competing for Christ Podcast, we are talking with Mark Ridgley, former NFL and collegiate football coach. Mark has coached at a couple of different places, but most recently coached with the Los Angeles Chargers for a number of years. As we talk with Mark about his coaching career and his life as a Christian in sports, we focus today on giving God the reins of our lives. This is difficult for everyone in this world, as most of us like to keep control over what goes on in our world. 

Jesus says in the book of John that he is the vine and we are the branches, meaning that we must give Him control so that we can have life and abide in Him. Here are some topics for our conversation today:

• How Christ has affected Mark's life and his career in sports
• His love for coaching football and what he experienced in the NFL
• What he has learned about giving God the reins
• The struggle between contentment and wanting more
• Prioritizing Christ in a fast-paced world

https://www.competingforchristpodcast.com/

Need encouragement or want to come on the show?

Text me: (904) 463-5917

Email me: [email protected]

Stepping out of our comfort zones is one of the most difficult things to do, not just in sports but in life. However, pushing ourselves to be uncomfortable and be in hard situations proves time and time again that something good usually comes out of them. This doesn’t mean you have to go halfway around the world to get uncomfortable, you can do this right now wherever you find yourself.

Keenan Horne is a South African field hockey player and an attorney. He has competed in the Olympics, numerous championships, and is currently playing professionally in France. Today we get to talk to him about what it means to step out of our comfort zones as Christians in sport, and he gives excellent input into how he has used this topic to get to where he is today as an athlete and in his life. Listen today as we discuss:

• How he stays focused on Jesus while playing professional sports, practicing law, and recently getting engaged
• Staying connected with Christ through busy times
• Being able to take leaps of faith in order to help our walk with Christ and our careers
• The most uncomfortable situation he has found himself in
• His thoughts on if he stayed complacent throughout his life

https://www.competingforchristpodcast.com/

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