ATHLETE TESTIMONY
ATHLETE TESTIMONY
ANTHONY CALVILLO
EUAN MURRAY
Canadian Football League player Anthony Calvillo was challenged to see what was most important, but his faith in Christ made things clear
Scottish rugby star Euan Murray has given up a lot for his convictions, but he's not bothered by the decision to honor God
There were three games left in the Canadian Football League season and one of the best quarterbacks in professional football history, Montreal Alouettes star Anthony Calvillo, was about to be hit with some terrible news. His wife, Alexia, had been diagnosed with cancer – exactly one week after giving birth to their second child, Olivia. Anthony took an indefinite leave from the team to be with his wife, and missed the last three games. He was 35 years old, but very close to achieving many professional football records. It was a clear choice, though. Being with his wife while she went through treatments was more important. "I remember challenging him years ago because he was known as a student of the playbook," team chaplain Tom Paul said. "I said, 'You're known throughout the league for your thorough preparation of the playbook, if God has given us the Bible as His playbook for life, isn't it a lot more important in preparing and studying the Bible?' And Anthony took that challenge. First thing in the morning and at night, he's in the scriptures." Although Anthony missed the last three games that season, he didn't miss a game the following year. "It was good to know my wife was going to be watching," Anthony said. "For me, it was a way to help her get through this whole process."
Euan Murray may be best known for rugby, but his commitment to Christ is more important to a player who has won his share of awards in international competitions. Murray, a Scottish professional rugby player who plays for the Glasgow Warriors and the Scottish national team, has a solid foundation in Christ while also playing at the highest level in his sport. Despite winning two World Cups and numerous major tournaments, he understands what matters. "The most important thing in my life will always be serving Christ," said Murray, who takes worshiping God each week more seriously than playing a game, even though rugby has helped provide him fame and the finances to live a comfortable life. Sunday is "a day where I can enjoy the Lord...ultimately, rugby's not what fuels my happiness in life."
HEART VALUE
HEART VALUE
Calvillo was challenged by his team chaplain to dive into God's word, a decision that helped him through a difficult time.
Euan is passionate to worship God.
MAKE DISCIPLES
OBEY THE BIBLE
where sports and faith connect
HEART VALUES • AS SERVANTS • In Sport And Play • IN EVERY CITY AND EVERY COMMUNITY
In Laos, 80 leaders are serving weekly football academies in two locations with sports life skills.
SPORTS MINISTRY AROUND THE WORLD WESTERN AFRICA • In Liberia, a 2-day sports ministry training for 100 people is being prepared in Montserrado, followed with games and sport for kids later in the year.
• In Ghana, the Ashaiman sports facilitation team took a U17 sports life skill team to Aflao to help begin a new sports facilitation team. The plan is to expand sports facilitation teams in the 6 remaining regions.
• In Mali, 23 people from 9 cities completed 5 days of sports ministry training in Bamako.