Sports Spectrum Podcast

Johnny Agar is an inspiration to so many. He's gained international attention when he walked a mile in his church’s annual 5K. That sounds like an odd reason for fame, except for the reality of Johnny’s severe cerebral palsy. Even with a lifetime of physical therapy before this race, the longest distance he’d ever previously walked was twenty-three steps. Johnny Agar and his mom Becky join the podcast today to share their amazing story and how God has guided them through it all.  --- Looking for a great gift idea? Order our new devotional book: "The Increase 52 Week Devotional: Inspiring Stories of Faith from the World of Pro Sports." 

Today on this "Football Friday" edition of Sports Spectrum podcast, Jade McCarthy talks to former Eagles head coach Doug Pederson about his Super Bowl winning season, the doors that God has opened and closed, living his faith in Jesus out as a head coach and his desire to hopefully coach again in the NFL. --- Looking for a holiday gift idea? Order our new devotional book: "The Increase 52 Week Devotional: Inspiring Stories of Faith from the World of Pro Sports."

Jared Butler is a rookie with the Utah Jazz and a 2021 national champion with the Baylor Bears. He was named the Final Four's Most Outstanding Player and then selected by Utah in the second round of the 2021 NBA Draft.  Jared is also raising awareness on hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM)—a complex type of heart disease. You can learn more at CoultItBeHCM.com.  --- Looking for a holiday gift idea? Order our new devotional book: "The Increase 52 Week Devotional: Inspiring Stories of Faith from the World of Pro Sports."

Trenten Merrill is a member of Team USA's Paralympic team who won Bronze at the 2020 Tokyo Paralympic Games and also represented the U.S. at the 2016 Summer Paralympics as well. In March of 2005, Trenten had his right foot amputated after a dirt bike accident with a friend.  Trenten is currently a public speaker who uses his Paralympic experience to help inspire others to pursue their dreams and goals. In 2021, the Azusa Pacific University grad also started modeling with SLU Agency.  Today on the podcast, we talk to Trenten Merrill about the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics, what the name of Jesus means to him, how his faith was tested after having his foot amputated and why he wants to use his platform to inspire others to follow Christ.  --- Looking for a holiday gift idea? Order our new devotional book: "The Increase 52 Week Devotional: Inspiring Stories of Faith from the World of Pro Sports."

Travis Hearn is the senior pastor at Impact Church in Scottsdale, Arizona. He is also the team pastor for the NBA’s Phoenix Suns, and has served as a chaplain for Major and Minor League Baseball for over a decade. In addition to serving pro athletes in ministry, he has also coached girl’s high school basketball  for Scottsdale Christian Academy.   Today on the podcast, we talk to Travis about pastoring the Phoenix Suns, his role at Transformation Church, his amazing testimony of coming to faith in Christ after being arrested and his desire now to equip athletes and others to being Jesus followers.  --- Looking for a holiday gift idea? Order our new devotional book: "The Increase 52 Week Devotional: Inspiring Stories of Faith from the World of Pro Sports."

Drew Maddux is a basketball coaching legend, having coached high school basketball at Christ Presbyterian Academy for 15 years. His resume has 2 state championships and 10 district titles including an NBA First Round pick.  He played college basketball at Vanderbilt where he was named First-Team All-SEC Academic team and All-SEC Freshman team.  His story was featured on "I AM SECOND."  In 2020, Drew released “Elevated” — a book on being the best version of you. --- Looking for a holiday gift idea? Order our new devotional book: "The Increase 52 Week Devotional: Inspiring Stories of Faith from the World of Pro Sports."

Today on this Football Friday we welcome back Molly McManimie to the podcast. The NFL Player Agent shares how she's grown in her faith in 2021 and why pleasing God is more important than anything else in her vocation.  --- Looking for a holiday gift idea? Order our new devotional book: "The Increase 52 Week Devotional: Inspiring Stories of Faith from the World of Pro Sports."

Rachel-Ruth Lotz Wright is an author, speaker, daughter of Anne Graham Lotz and granddaughter of Billy Graham. Her husband Steven is a high school football coach. She teaches a weekly women's Bible Study for University of North Carolina athletes and has shared God's word at numerous events around the country.  Her passion for leading children to Jesus and getting them into God’s Word compelled her to lead monthly missions’ chapels at her children’s school and teach middle school children at the Fellowship of Christian Athletes Coaches Camp. Her latest book, "Jesus Followers," co-written with her mother Anne, released in October 2021 and is available now.  Today on the podcast, we talk to Rachel-Ruth about growing up the granddaughter of Billy Graham, her life as a coach's wife, her desire to teach God's word to athletes, and the legacy she hopes to pass on to the next generation.  --- Looking for a holiday gift idea? Order our new devotional book: "The Increase 52 Week Devotional: Inspiring Stories of Faith from the World of Pro Sports." 

Dallas Jenkins is a filmmaker and the creator and producer of the hit streaming series The Chosen, the first multi-season series about the life of Christ, and the most successful media crowd-fund of all time. Jenkins began his film career in his early 20's and started his own production company at the age of 25. His feature-length directorial debut came in 2006 with a film called Midnight Clear starring Stephen Baldwin. Since then, he has directed numerous other films including The Resurrection of Gavin Stone, starring D.B. Sweeney and wrestling legend Shawn Michaels. In 2018, Jenkins created The Chosen and since it's release has reached over 300,000,000 views on their app. On December 1, 2021, The Chosen will be seen in theaters for the first time with a holiday event called CHRISTMAS WITH THE CHOSEN: THE MESSENGERS. Today on the podcast, Dallas Jenkins shares about The Chosen, why he doesn't pay attention to the numbers, the excitement of having it in theaters, his love for Chicago sports, and his favorite athlete encounters. --- Looking for a holiday gift idea? Order our new devotional book: "The Increase 52 Week Devotional: Inspiring Stories of Faith from the World of Pro Sports."

Today on the podcast, our Sports Spectrum Managing Editor Jon Ackerman joins host Jason Romano to preview the 2021 Winter edition of the Sports Spectrum Magazine.  --- SIGN UP for Sports Spectrum Magazine (1 year $18 or 2 year $30) here.  --- Looking for a holiday gift idea? Order our new devotional book: "The Increase 52 Week Devotional: Inspiring Stories of Faith from the World of Pro Sports."