Behind the face mask and under the helmet
WINNIPEG, MB—American football player Tim Tebow has made headlines in recent years not only for his abilities as a quarterback, but for being outspoken about his faith.
But long before Tebow wrote a biblical message on his eye paint, the people involved with Athletes in Action Canada have been using the language of sport to communicate the gospel message.
Lorne Korol, who has worked with Athletes in Action in Winnipeg for the past four years, says having ChristianWeek's support is invaluable. The publication regularly features profiles of local Christian athletes.
Being able to share their faith stories in ChristianWeek is a great opportunity for local athletes to use the platform of sport to honour and glorify God, says Korol, who works as a chaplain for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, the Winnipeg Goldeyes and the Winnipeg Jets.
"ChristianWeek is a great vehicle to reach the masses, and it's a real encouragement for churches when they see professional athletes that are worshipping God the same way they do," he says.
Korol adds that ChristianWeek has also been a major sponsor of the Blue Bombers' annual Faith Night, where church groups are offered a discounted admission price and players from the team share their testimonies after the game.
"It's been tremendous what [ChristianWeek has] done for us. It's been invaluable, and we greatly appreciate it."
Events like Faith Night are important because they give Christians and non-Christians alike the chance to hear about the faith lives of some of the athletes they cheer for regularly.
"I think it's really enlightening when they hear that the athletes have very similar struggles, challenges and triumphs, just like you and I. What it does is it allows the athlete to become more personal. People can see there's someone behind that face mask or under the helmet."
Korol says the feedback he gets from people who have read about athletes in ChristianWeek is overwhelmingly positive.
"People love to hear the stories of the players, and quite frankly, there aren't a lot of other opportunities for people to hear those stories, to get up close and personal with the players."
Korol says one athlete's life that Athletes in Action has impacted is Blue Bomber punter Mike Renaud's. Renaud has struggled with his position on the team and did not get to play in the Grey Cup last year, which was a difficult challenge for him.
"Through the adversity that he went through, his faith grew so strong," Korol says. "I've seen him grow as a person and as a man of God as a result of his trials, and I've been blessed with the opportunity to walk with him during those trials."
Korol looks forward to seeing more athletes sharing their stories in future issues of ChristianWeek.
"I thank ChristianWeek for its support," he says. "It's been outstanding and it's an absolute blessing."
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