Playing For Eternity - with Josh Merrill

As a pastor's kid who grew up in the water, Lara Claydon is now an up-and-coming professional Stand-up Paddleboard Surfer. From California to Maui, God has been a part of Lara’s story as she pursues a sports profession in which she has taken her faith. Lara has seen God work in and through the sports she loves. In this interview, we discuss her faith, family dynamics, and the world shutting down in 2020. Through it all, Lara has a joyful outlook and bright future.

In our second episode featuring Sports Ministry Leadership we talk with Harry Demos from Christ Church of the Valley in Arizona. Harry has been the Sports Pastor of CCV Stars for the last 15 years and his program remains on the cutting edge of running an effective sports ministry program. After a few moments listening to Harry you’ll easily understand why their programs see’s close to 10,000 kids a year through a variety of programs. Harry is the real deal with a real passion for seeing God’s Kingdom played out through sports. Be inspired and know that God is and can work through your sports program.

The Australian native-turned-basketball-pro has travelled the world playing the game he loves. From the Sweet 16 at the University of Richmond in Virginia, Joshua Duinker has played in multiple countries over his seven-year professional career. A member of the Netherlands National Team, Josh retired in 2019 after his two best seasons playing in Japan, turning down multiple contracts to pursue a calling in ministry. In this episode we hear the journey and catch the vision of what God is doing through Joshua and the new sports program he’s launched in Maui called, “Vertical Sports.”

Coming from a rough neighborhood, being locked up and not finishing high school, Kenny Dobbs found a miracle in Jesus. This is Kenny’s amazing story of how God used his ability to dunk a basketball, creating new life and passion for Kenny and his entire family. Kenny speaks truth about life, his God-given talents, and his own struggles as he made a name for himself through dunking. Now Kenny uses his talents to share with and help develop the next generation.

A Welterweight Boxing Champ at age 24 with the world to gain, South African Chris Van Heerden set his dreams big and went after them. Through the valleys and mistakes, Chris is now in the prime of his career and chasing another title. At his home in Los Angeles, Chris sits down with Eternity Sports and shares the struggles and the miracles that tested his faith and made his purpose clear. He fights for his Dad, the people of South Africa, and his Lord, Jesus Christ.

From broken bats and stolen bases, former MLB outfielder Glenn Braggs has lived and seen the world through the game of baseball. A World Series Champion with the Cincinnati Reds and a home run machine while playing in Japan, Glenn has found strength in God through baseball, marriage, and life after sports.

Mike Penberthy has seen it all through basketball, from playing small college ball to the brightest lights in the NBA with the Los Angeles Lakers. Now an assistant coach with the New Orleans Pelicans, Mike opens up about what it was like playing with 4 NBA Hall of Famers, working closely with NBA All-Stars all while striving to live a life that honors God.

The ESPN anchor shares the impact of sports on her life and how God has always been a part of her journey. From UCLA to the tennis channel and now covering today biggest stars, Cari has a unique perspective and platform that she's constantly trying to live for Jesus!

A once teenage prodigy, now out of USC, has set his sights on the PGA tour. After turning pro and missing out on his tour card by one stroke, Jonah Texeira shares the ups down of golf and maintaining a focus on the Lord. Through every shot, his experiences and God always strengthen him. 

With a Olympian father and a Hall of Fame Uncle, Jenny knows sports. Through her own 14 year pro career she has always carried the love of Jesus in everything she tries to do. Triple J shares about her family, her olympic success and failures and how all of it anchors to her faith. 

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🥅 We've set a goal to connect 1 Million athletes and Coaches playing for God's Glory

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In our Pilot Episode we sit down with Streetball Legend - The Professor! Grayson shares his journey within his faith and his rise to popularity and those around him that keep him grounded.