Sports Spectrum Podcast

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."

Today on the podcast, we talk to 3-time Super Bowl Champion Matthew Slater of the New England Patriots. Jade McCarthy talks to Matthew about his 200th career NFL game, gratitude for his time with the Patriots, sharing his faith and his work with Compassion International's FILL THE STADIUM initiative. --- BLACK FRIDAY DEAL!!  For three days only, Nov. 26-28, if you order a Sports Spectrum magazine subscription (1 yr or 2 yr), you will get a copy of our Increase 52-Week Devotional for FREE. Act now as the deal ends Sunday Nov. 28 at 11:59 p.m. ORDER YOUR SUBSCRIPTION HERE. 

Walker Zimmerman is a professional soccer player for the MLS with Nashville FC. He was originally selected in the first round (7th overall) in the 2013 MLS SuperDraft by FC Dallas and played five seasons there before landing in Los Angeles for two season and coming to Nashville in its inaugural campaign of 2020. In February of 2020, he scored the first goal in Nashville FC history and was named as the 2020 MLS Defender of the Year. Today on the podcast, we talk to Walker Zimmerman about his current role with Nashville FC, playing for an audience of one, growing up the son of a pastor, becoming a new dad and what it means to represent his country on the United States National Team.  --- 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."  

Danny Gokey is a singer/songwriter who finished in third place on the eighth season of American Idol in May 2009. Since then, he has released eight albums including his latest "Jesus People."  Gokey is a 2019 K-LOVE Fan Award winner for "Male Artist of the Year" and GMA Dove Award winner in 2016 for Christmas Album of the Year.  Today on the podcast, we talk to Danny Gokey about his American Idol experience, his love for the Green Bay Packers, the heart behind his new album, recording in a pandemic, handling celebrity and why the heart of all his music is found in his relationship with Christ.  --- Looking for a holiday gift idea? Our new devotional book: "The Increase 52 Week Devotional: Inspiring Stories of Faith from the World of Pro Sports." is out now and makes a perfect gift.