Sports Spectrum Podcast

Episode 474 * Interview recorded prior to coronavirus outbreak. Matthew Barnett is the co-founder of the Dream Center in Los Angeles, a 400,000 square-foot hospital-like building that sits next to the Hollywood freeway in Los Angeles, where it houses and helps homeless families, veterans, kids who have aged out of the foster care system and need a place to live, victims of human trafficking, and people who have addictions, all free of charge. Matt is also a pastor and the author of the new book "One Small Step: The Life-Changing Adventure of Following God's Nudges." On this episode of the podcast, we talk to Matthew about his new book, his experience running 7 marathons in 7 days on 7 continents, hearing God's nudge and voice, the importance of forgiveness and how Kobe Bryant's death has brought more people back to church in Los Angeles.  For more stories of sports and faith, check out our website - http://SportsSpectrum.com 

Episode 473 Darryl Strawberry is an 8-time MLB All-Star who played 17 seasons in the big leagues with the Mets, Dodgers, Giants and Yankees. He is a four-time World Series champion, the New York Mets all-time leader in career home runs (252) and was inducted to the team’s hall of fame in 2010.   Nick Ahmed is a two-time Gold Glove winning shortstop with the Arizona Diamondbacks. He was selected by the Atlanta Braves in the second round of the 2011 MLB Amateur Draft, and he was traded after the 2012 season to Arizona in a seven-player deal. He made his MLB debut on June 29, 2014 and has been with Arizona ever since.   Rod Hairston is pastor Messiah Community Church in Maryland and served as  chaplain and life-coach for the NFL’s Baltimore Ravens for more than twelve seasons. He is the author of Cover Her, released in 2013 and Cover Him, released in 2019.    On this episode of the podcast, we talk to Darryl, Nick and Pastor Rod about manhood. What does it look like to be a man of God?  Darryl shares his testimony of growing up without Jesus and his struggles with the world. Nick shares his powerful story of coming to Christ in a minor league game and Pastor Rod talks about why it is so vital to be intentional in how we are as men in influencing our families.    For more stories of sports and faith, check out our website http://SportsSpectrum.com 

BONUS EPISODE Orlando Magic forward Jonathan Isaac joined us LIVE on Facebook on Thursday March 26th to talk about how his recovery to a knee injury is coming, the coronavirus pandemic, the NBA season being suspended, becoming an ordained minister and living a life that glorifies Jesus. You can watch the interview on Facebook here and read more stories of sports and faith on our website - http://SportsSpectrum.com. 

Episode 472 Robert Morris is the founding lead senior pastor of Gateway Church, a multicampus church based out of the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex. Since it began in 2000, the church has grown to more than 71,000 active attendees.  His television program is aired in over 190 countries, and his radio program, Worship & the Word with Pastor Robert, airs in more than 1,800 radio markets across America. He serves as chancellor of The King’s University and is the bestselling author of numerous books, including The Blessed Life, Frequency, Beyond Blessed, and his latest book Take the Day Off. Robert and his wife, Debbie, have been married 39 years and are blessed with one married daughter, two married sons, and nine grandchildren. On this episode of the podcast, we talk to Robert Morris about playing golf with Jack Nicklaus, pastor Cowboys tight end Jason Witten, how he stays connected to God and his awesome story of the great underwear crisis of 2004. This episode is sponsored by Compassion International, the most trusted child development ministry in the world. For more information about you can help sponsor a child and release them from poverty, check out their website - http://Compassion.com/SportsSpectrum For more stories of sports and faith, check out our website - http://SportsSpectrum.com 

BONUS EPISODE Korey Harris is currently an assistant basketball coach for the Chinese Basketball Association's Beijing Royal Fighters under their head coach, former NBA All-Star Stephon Marbury. He came to China in August of 2018 and was hired by Marbury to coach with the Royal Fighters in September of 2019.  Originally from Atlanta, Georgia, Korey has been in quarantine and isolation in his China hotel room since January.  On this episode of the podcast, Korey Harris joins us from China to talk about what the last few months have been like since the Chinese Basketball Association postponed their games in late January. We also hear how Korey has dealt with social distancing, why staying in China instead of returning to America was something he felt led to do and a great word of encouragement for all of us here in America.  For more stories on sports and faith, check out our website http://SportsSpectrum.com 

Episode 471 Katie Engleson is a reporter covering sports for FOX Sports Southwest. She is a sideline reporter for the WNBA's Dallas Wings, covers the Mavericks, the New Orleans Pelicans and the Texas Rangers. The 2016 Alabama Crimson Tide graduate was a baton twirler in college and served as an Alabama Crimsonette during football games. She is also a part of the Best Buddies Texas Junior Advisory Board.  On this episode of the podcast, we talk to Katie about her role with FOX Sports Southwest, covering the craziness that is high school football in Texas, her testimony of faith, why 1 Peter 4:10 is so important to her, and what it was like on a Saturday afternoon in Tuscaloosa, Alabama during the Fall.  This episode is sponsored by Compassion International, the most trusted child development ministry in the world. Check out http://Compassion.com/SportsSpectrum and pray about sponsoring a child and releasing them from poverty in Jesus' name. For more stories of sports and faith, check out our website: http://SportsSpectrum.com 

BONUS EPISODE Aaron Craft is currently playing professional basketball in Italy for Aquila Basket Trento, and lives in Trento, Italy, with his wife and son. Trento is in northern Italy, a little less than three hours from what Craft described as the “epicenter” of the Coronavirus outbreak. Know for his tenacious defense during his time in college at Ohio State, Aaron was named the 2014 NABC Defensive Player of the Year, the 2013 Big Ten Tournament MVP, and a two-time Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year in 2012 and 2014. On this episode of the podcast, we talk to Aaron about what it is like being in Italy right now during the Coronavirus outbreak and how his faith is helping him and his family stay calm in the midst of a very big storm.

Episode 470 Shane Doan is a former NHL player who played 21 seasons with the Winnipeg Jets/Arizona Coyotes franchise. He was selected in the first round of the 1995 NHL Draft (seventh overall) by the Winnipeg Jets. He was the Jets' final first round pick as the team would relocate to Phoenix the following season.  In 1996, Doan would begin a stretch of 20 straight seasons playing for the Coyotes in a career that saw him make two All-Star teams and in 2012, the winner of the Mark Messier Leadership Award.  In 2017, Doan retired from the NHL as the franchise record holder in career points (972), career goals (402) and games played (1540). In February of 2019, he had his number 19 retired and today he's working with the NHL as a Senior Advisor of Hockey Operations. On this episode of the podcast, we talk to Shane about faith in the NHL, the lessons he's learned from playing hockey, why Jesus is truth, having his number 19 retired and his welcome to the NHL moment with Mark Messier and Wayne Gretzky. This episode is sponsored by IJM, International Justice Mission. To learn more about how you can help join the fight to end slavery in our lifetime, visit http://IJM.org/TF For more stories of sports and faith, visit our website http://SportsSpectrum.com 

*Interview recorded prior to coronavirus outbreak* Episode 469 Anthony Sherman is a fullback for the Kansas City Chiefs. Selected in the fifth round of the 2011 NFL Draft by the Arizona Cardinals, Sherman would play two seasons with the Cardinals before being traded in 2013 to the Chiefs.  In 2019, Sherman helped his Kansas City Chiefs team to an NFL championship, beating the San Francisco 49ers 31-20 in Super Bowl LIV.  In college, Sherman was a standout blocker at the University of Connecticut and served as a team captain for two seasons.  On this episode of the podcast, we talk to Anthony Sherman about his Super Bowl experience, winning the title, the crazy story from the Super Bowl parade, how his faith took shape and why he felt compelled to attend a missions trip with Compassion International.  For more stories on sports and faith, check out http://SportsSpectrum.com 

Episode 468 Craig Denison is the author of First15, a daily devotional guiding over a million believers into a fresh experience with God’s presence. He writes, speaks, and he and his wife, Rachel lead worship to help believers establish a more tangible, meaningful connection with God. Craig graduated from Dallas Baptist University with a bachelor’s degree in Biblical Studies and a minor in Music. He also spent a year in Nashville and San Diego working with award-winning producer Pete Kipley (MercyMe, Phil Wickham, Shane and Shane). If you're looking for a guide to a daily, meaningful time alone with God, go to First15.org, and sign up to receive his daily devotional guide for free.  On this episode of the podcast, we talk to Craig about First15, why he started it, how a ski trip accident changed his life, the importance of getting in God's word each day and the struggle that so many have in staying connected each day with Jesus.  For more stories of sports and faith, check out http://SportsSpectrum.com  * Interview recorded prior to coronavirus outbreak.