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.

In our newest segment featuring Sports Ministry Leaders, we’re opening up with New York native and soccer fanatic, Travis Carey. Travis leads and oversees one of the largest adult sports ministry programs in the country. From his soccer playing days to his service at Red Rock Church, Travis shares his beliefs and insights on why running adult sports programs at a church is a powerful way to connect with any community. With almost 30 leagues and more than 4,000 participants a year, Red Rock Sports is on the front lines of innovation and leading the charge with adult sports ministry. You can follow Travis and Red Rock Sports at: Travis @tcarey44 RedRockSports @redrockssports Website: www.redrockssports.com [http://www.redrockssports.com/]

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.