Faith
47-Year-Old Pastor Makes College Football Team After Preaching Men Should ‘Play Big’
Faith Facts
- Justin Buzzard, founder and lead pastor of Garden City Church, made the San Jose City College football team at age 47
- The pastor has long preached that men should ‘play big’ with their lives and live boldly for Christ
- Buzzard’s decision to try out demonstrates his commitment to practicing what he preaches about courage and taking risks
A California pastor who has spent years encouraging men to live courageously and embrace challenges has put his own message to the test in an extraordinary way. Justin Buzzard, the 47-year-old founder and lead pastor of Garden City Church, successfully tried out for and earned a spot on the San Jose City College football team.
Buzzard has built his ministry around calling men to “play big” with their lives—a message that emphasizes living boldly, taking risks, and maximizing the gifts God has given them. Rather than simply preaching this philosophy from the pulpit, the pastor decided to demonstrate it on the football field.
The decision to try out for a college football team at nearly 50 years old represents a significant physical and personal challenge. Most college athletes are in their late teens and early twenties, making Buzzard’s achievement all the more remarkable.
For years, Buzzard has been urging Christian men to break free from comfort zones and mediocrity. His “play big” philosophy encourages believers to pursue excellence in all areas of life while maintaining their faith as the foundation. By joining the football team, he has shown that this message applies to him as much as to those he leads.
The pastor’s accomplishment serves as a powerful illustration of the principles he teaches. In an age when many pastors focus solely on spiritual disciplines, Buzzard’s willingness to embrace physical challenge demonstrates a holistic approach to Christian masculinity that values both spiritual and physical strength.
Garden City Church, which Buzzard founded, has become known for its emphasis on discipleship and calling men to lives of purpose and impact. His personal example of stepping into a demanding new arena at an age when many are settling into comfortable routines reinforces the church’s core message.
The story resonates particularly in a cultural moment when traditional masculinity is often questioned or criticized. Buzzard’s example offers a vision of manhood rooted in courage, discipline, and the willingness to pursue difficult goals—all while maintaining a foundation of faith.
His decision also highlights an important principle in Christian leadership: authenticity. By living out the same challenges he calls others to embrace, Buzzard demonstrates the kind of integrity that builds trust and inspires congregations.
Let us know what you think, please share your thoughts in the comments below.
Faith Facts
- Danica McKellar credits Candace Cameron Bure with leading her to Christ four years ago.
- McKellar now views her acting career through a faith-centered lens.
- She seeks roles that reflect her Christian values and convictions.
Actress Danica McKellar has opened up about the moment she found faith in Christ. She credits longtime friend and fellow former child star Candace Cameron Bure for guiding her on that journey four years ago.
McKellar shared that her new relationship with Jesus has transformed the way she sees her career and the projects she now chooses to pursue. Instead of simply chasing roles for fame or success, she is now more intentional about the stories she tells on screen.
“It’s been Jesus this whole time”
McKellar’s transformation reflects a deeper commitment to living out her faith both on and off the screen. She has expressed gratitude for the spiritual mentorship she received from Bure, whose own public witness as a believer has long been a steady presence in Hollywood.
The actress says her faith has redefined her purpose, helping her to focus on projects that align with her Christian convictions rather than simply accepting work based on popularity or financial gain.
Let us know what you think, please share your thoughts in the comments below.
Faith Facts
- A priest in Ecuador died during a church service when a large crucifix fell from the wall.
- Kenny Kinglesmith addresses unbelieving friends in an open letter about hope in Jesus amid suffering.
- Christian believers continue to place their trust in Christ even when tragedy strikes inside the sanctuary.
The sudden death of a priest while leading worship has shaken believers across Ecuador. Questions about suffering and divine purpose are rising again.
Kenny Kinglesmith has written an open letter to friends who do not believe. He explains why his hope in Jesus remains firm despite the pain.
“In the face of inexplicable suffering, I still choose to place my hope in Jesus.”
Many Christians are wrestling with how a loving God could allow such a loss inside His house. The event has prompted renewed reflection on the mystery of suffering.
Kinglesmith does not offer easy answers. Instead he points to the cross itself, where Christ endured the ultimate injustice yet brought redemption.
“I still choose to place my hope in Jesus.”
The tragedy has become a moment for believers to examine their own trust in God. It is also an opportunity to demonstrate compassion to those who question.
Kinglesmith urges Christians to live out their faith openly. He believes the witness of steadfast hope can speak louder than arguments.
“In the face of inexplicable suffering, I still choose to place my hope in Jesus.”
Let us know what you think, please share your thoughts in the comments below.
Faith Facts
- Franklin Graham was raised in the shadow of his father Billy Graham, one of the most influential Christian leaders of the twentieth century.
- He has publicly stated that he never tried to become Billy Graham and instead sought to follow the distinct path God set before him.
- The younger Graham has carried the Gospel message across the globe through Samaritan’s Purse and the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association while maintaining a clear Christian conservative witness.
Franklin Graham recently opened up about the challenges of growing up in the household of the twentieth century’s most renowned evangelist. He explained that being the son of Billy Graham carried both a tremendous blessing and a heavy weight of expectations.
Despite the public scrutiny and inevitable comparisons, Graham made a deliberate choice early in life. He decided he would not attempt to replicate his father’s ministry or persona in any way.
“I never try to be Billy Graham,”
he said. This statement reflects the conviction that God equips each believer for a unique assignment rather than a copy of someone else’s.
Graham’s own ministry has grown into a powerful force for the Gospel through both the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and the international relief work of Samaritan’s Purse. His approach has been marked by direct, unapologetic proclamation of biblical truth on issues ranging from religious liberty to the sanctity of life and traditional marriage.
“I never try to be Billy Graham,”
he reiterated, underscoring that his calling has always been to serve the Lord faithfully in the time and culture where God has placed him.
Today Franklin Graham continues to lead large-scale evangelistic events across the United States and around the world. He remains a steady voice for Christian values at a time when many pulpits have grown silent on cultural matters.
Let us know what you think, please share your thoughts in the comments below.
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