Bucks' Redd Keeps Priorities in Proper Biblical Perspective
by Jim Brown
November 17, 2006
(AgapePress) - - For one professional basketball star, the goal of winning an NBA championship fades in comparison to winning a teammate to Jesus Christ. Win or lose, Milwaukee Bucks All-Star guard Michael Redd and two other teammates gather at the center of the court after each game to give thanks to God. Redd says although there are no born-again believers on the team, he keeps "planting the seed" because he knows God will one day "give the increase."
The Ohio State standout, who is averaging a league-leading 31.3 points a game through the first nine games of the season, says his faith in God sustains him through the rigors of an 82-game season and the long trips that come with it.
"When you become a believer, the temptations and challenges don't stop. In fact, they come harder," the six-year pro testifies. "So you have to be prayerful, you have to be strong spiritually, you have to be held accountable by your friends, teammates -- and, you know ... married."
Shortly after signing a six-year, $91-million contract last year, Redd purchased a church building for his father, who is a pastor in his hometown of Columbus, Ohio. The six-foot-six ballhandler explains how he stays in fellowship during such a demanding schedule as a professional athlete.
"It's so difficult for us to get to church with our schedule sometimes," he says. "So we have about four or five guys in a Bible study the day of the game, who come in and teach about Jesus and what it's like to be saved and whatnot. Then we go to shoot around."
And chapel services are included in the mix, he says. "We come to the arena when it's time to play the game, for chapel -- we usually have chapel services before each game," he shares. "So we go there, and [then] we go to the game. I believe it's good to start your day off with prayer and meditation on the Word of God."
This past summer was a busy one for Redd. According to NBA.com, he began the "Now or Never Conference," an evangelistic crusade for the purpose of winning lost souls to Christ. On top of that, he got married. His wife's name is Achea.
Redd recently scored 57 points in a game against the Utah Jazz -- the most any player has scored in an NBA game so far this year. In that game he shot 6-for-12 from beyond the three-point arc and 15-of -17 at the free-throw stripe.
Jim Brown, a regular contributor to AgapePress, is a reporter for American Family Radio News, which can be heard online.
