ATHLETE TESTIMONY
ATHLETE TESTIMONY
MEB Keflezighi
Angela Hannah
Despite what some thought was a set back, Eritrean marathon champion Meb Keflezighi looked at as an opportunity for God's power to be shown
Olympic kayaker Angela Hannah finds comfort in Christ.
In 2008, Meb Keflezighi couldn't walk. Even moving around in his bed required help from loved ones. His difficulty was the result of a fractured hip at the 2008 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials. A few years later, at the U.S. Marathon Championship, Keflezighi, the Olympic silver medalist in Athens and fourth at the London Olympics, was not expected to perform well. However, 26.2 miles later, he proved all the doubters wrong and crossed the finish line in a personal-best, 2 hours, 9 minutes, 15 seconds, racing away in the last two miles to beat four-time marathon champion Robert Cheruiyot. "Nobody ran their best time but me," says Keflezighi, who spent the last two miles of the race talking to God. "It just showed the power of God was huge on my success and it showed on that day. It's just a testimony of God's work."
Great Britain Olympic kayaker Angela Hannah learned that by placing her trust in God, Jesus would provide peace in her life. “I suppose some people would say, ‘You’ve always been a Christian, so you don’t know anything else,’” Hannah says. “But, you’re definitely a human first, and there’ve been times in my life when I didn’t trust Him, actually been more angry with Him and done everything but spend time with Him.” Hannah reflects on moments in her life where she felt distant from God, and remembers feeling very depressed. Since growing in her walk with Christ, Hannah says that the Lord has given her purpose, which keeps her from focusing on worldly problems that bring negativity to her life. “God gives you the freedom to enjoy that as long as you’re working to the best of your ability for Him,” she says. “That’s always enough. It means I can go on and enjoy myself and not have too much pressure.”
HEART VALUE
HEART VALUE
After overcoming a hip injury, Keflezighi gives all the glory to God for his continued success.
Angela Hannah strives to honor the Lord and the talents God has given her by working her hardest every day.
PROCLAIM THE GOSPEL
Obey the Bible