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Belgian Footballer Proves Where His Priorities Truly Lie

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Faith Facts

  • Belgian footballer Jérémy Doku temporarily left his national team during World Cup to attend the birth of his first child
  • The Christian athlete faced harsh public criticism for prioritizing family over professional sports
  • His decision reflected biblical values of family stewardship and demonstrated faith-driven priorities in a secular culture

When Belgian international footballer Jérémy Doku made the decision to step away from his national team during World Cup competition to be present for the birth of his first child, the response from media and critics was swift and harsh. One television presenter expressed “outrage” at the 22-year-old Manchester City winger’s choice to put family before the world’s most prestigious football tournament.

But for those who understand Christian values, Doku’s decision was not only understandable—it was commendable.

The criticism Doku faced reveals a troubling cultural priority that places professional achievement and entertainment above the sacred bonds of family. In a world that increasingly devalues fatherhood and traditional family structures, Doku’s choice to be present for one of life’s most significant moments stands as a counter-cultural witness to biblical truth.

The Bible is clear about a man’s responsibility to his family. Scripture teaches that a man who does not provide for his own household has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. While this passage primarily addresses material provision, the principle extends to emotional and spiritual presence, especially during pivotal family moments.

Doku’s decision also reflects the biblical understanding that our identities are not rooted in our careers or achievements, but in our roles as image-bearers of God and stewards of the families He has entrusted to us. In a culture obsessed with performance and public success, choosing to prioritize an intimate family moment over global recognition demonstrates a proper ordering of values.

The outrage directed at Doku highlights how far modern culture has drifted from traditional Christian understanding of vocation and family. While work is good and God-honoring, it is not ultimate. A football match, no matter how important in the eyes of the world, cannot compare to the miracle of new life and the beginning of fatherhood.

Furthermore, Doku’s choice models healthy masculinity for a generation desperately in need of such examples. In an era when fathers are often portrayed as optional or incompetent, a young man choosing to be present for his child’s birth sends a powerful message about the importance of engaged, committed fatherhood.

The criticism also reveals the idolatry of sports in contemporary culture. When a man is condemned for prioritizing his newborn child over a game, something has gone profoundly wrong with our collective values. Sports can be enjoyable and even character-building, but when they demand total allegiance at the expense of family, they have become false gods.

It’s worth noting that Doku’s temporary absence from the World Cup camp did not demonstrate a lack of commitment to his team or country. Rather, it showed a man with properly ordered priorities who understands that some moments cannot be reclaimed. His child will only be born once; there will be other matches, other tournaments, other opportunities to represent Belgium.

For Christian athletes navigating the intense pressures of professional sports, Doku’s decision offers an important example. The world will always demand total commitment to career success, but believers are called to a different standard—one that recognizes the eternal significance of family relationships and the temporal nature of earthly achievements.

In the broader context of cultural witness, moments like these matter. When a public figure makes a decision that reflects biblical values in the face of criticism, it creates opportunities for conversations about what truly matters in life. Doku’s choice invites reflection on our own priorities and challenges the assumption that professional success should always take precedence over family.

The response to Doku’s decision also serves as a reminder that living according to Christian principles will often bring misunderstanding and criticism from a world that operates by different values. This is not a reason to compromise, but rather confirmation that we are called to be salt and light, even when doing so is countercultural.

As American Christians committed to family values, we should celebrate Doku’s decision and support others who make similar choices. In a culture that increasingly devalues both fatherhood and the sanctity of family, every example of a man prioritizing his wife and child deserves recognition and encouragement.

The birth of a child is not merely a biological event, but a sacred moment when a new soul enters the world and a man becomes a father. Missing such a moment for any professional obligation, no matter how prestigious, represents a fundamental misunderstanding of what matters most in this life and the next.

Jérémy Doku was absolutely right to leave Belgium’s World Cup camp to be present for his child’s birth. His decision reflected biblical priorities, demonstrated Christian character, and provided a much-needed example of faithfulness in an age that desperately needs men willing to put family first.

Let us know what you think, please share your thoughts in the comments below.

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Faith

Presbyterians Reject Women Deacons in Major Denominational Decision

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June 28, 2026

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  • Presbyterian Church in America General Assembly voted against ordaining women as deacons at its annual meeting in Louisville, Kentucky
  • The decision maintains the denomination’s traditional understanding of biblical church leadership and ordained offices
  • The assembly also advanced a report examining Christian nationalism during this week’s proceedings

The Presbyterian Church in America has reaffirmed its commitment to traditional biblical leadership structures. During its General Assembly meeting in Louisville, Kentucky this week, the denomination voted decisively against an overture that would have opened the office of ordained deacon to women.

The decision reflects the PCA’s continued adherence to complementarian theology, which holds that men and women have distinct, God-given roles in the church. This theological position interprets Scripture as reserving ordained church offices for qualified men while honoring the vital contributions women make in other ministry capacities.

For many conservative Presbyterian believers, the vote represents a faithful stand on biblical authority in an era when many mainline denominations have abandoned traditional interpretations of Scripture on leadership and gender roles. The PCA, which separated from the more liberal Presbyterian Church (USA) in 1973, has consistently maintained conservative positions on doctrinal matters.

The assembly’s decision comes as American Christianity faces increasing pressure to conform to cultural trends that often conflict with historic Christian teaching. Denominations that have embraced progressive positions on gender and sexuality have frequently experienced declining membership and theological drift.

In addition to the deacon question, the General Assembly advanced a report addressing Christian nationalism. The examination of this topic reflects ongoing discussions within conservative Christian circles about the proper relationship between faith and civic engagement, particularly as believers seek to maintain religious liberty and biblical values in the public square.

The PCA’s actions this week demonstrate the denomination’s commitment to deliberative decision-making on matters of church practice and doctrine. With approximately 1,500 congregations and 380,000 members, the PCA remains one of the largest conservative Presbyterian bodies in the United States.

As various Christian denominations navigate questions of biblical interpretation and cultural engagement, the PCA’s votes highlight the ongoing importance that many believers place on maintaining theological consistency with Scripture and historic Christian orthodoxy.

Let us know what you think, please share your thoughts in the comments below.

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Faith

When Rome’s Ancient Ceremony Ended Forever

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June 28, 2026

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Faith Facts

  • Pope Paul VI’s coronation in 1963 was the last papal coronation in Catholic Church history, ending a tradition spanning over a millennium
  • Gospel music legend Andraé Crouch was born this week in 1942, going on to shape contemporary Christian worship music for generations
  • Anglican missionaries arrived in Borneo during this week in church history, bringing the Gospel to Southeast Asia

This week marks several pivotal moments in Christian history that continue to shape the faith today. From the end of an ancient papal tradition to the birth of a gospel music pioneer, these events remind us of how God works through both institutional change and individual gifts to advance His kingdom.

On June 30, 1963, Pope Paul VI received the papal tiara in what would become the final coronation ceremony in Roman Catholic history. The elaborate ritual, which had crowned popes for over a thousand years, featured the ornate triple crown symbolizing the pontiff’s authority. Pope Paul VI later chose to set aside the practice, signaling a shift toward humility and simplicity in papal leadership that continues to this day.

In a very different corner of Christendom, July 1, 1942, marked the birth of Andraé Crouch in Los Angeles, California. The son of a pastor, Crouch would grow to become one of the most influential figures in gospel and contemporary Christian music. His songs, including “My Tribute (To God Be the Glory)” and “The Blood Will Never Lose Its Power,” have been sung in churches across denominational lines for decades.

Crouch’s musical ministry broke down barriers between traditional gospel and contemporary worship, helping to usher in a new era of praise music that emphasized both musical excellence and biblical truth. His work earned him seven Grammy Awards and an Academy Award nomination, demonstrating that music rooted in Christian faith could achieve both spiritual impact and artistic recognition.

Also this week in Christian history, Anglican missionaries arrived in Borneo, bringing the message of salvation to indigenous populations in Southeast Asia. Their arrival represented the ongoing fulfillment of the Great Commission, as faithful believers carried the Gospel to distant shores where Christ’s name had not yet been proclaimed.

These diverse events—spanning continents, denominations, and centuries—illustrate the multifaceted nature of Christian witness. Whether through institutional reform, artistic expression, or missionary zeal, believers throughout history have found different ways to honor Christ and spread His truth.

The end of papal coronations reflected a broader movement within Catholicism toward evangelical simplicity. The birth of Andraé Crouch gave the church a voice that would inspire millions to worship with joy and authenticity. And the arrival of missionaries in Borneo demonstrated the enduring call to take the Gospel to every nation.

Each of these moments reminds us that Christian history is not merely a record of the past, but a living testimony to God’s ongoing work in His church. As we remember these events, we are called to consider how we, too, might faithfully serve in our own generation.

Let us know what you think, please share your thoughts in the comments below.

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Faith

This Book Might Be Exactly What Your Spiritual Life Needs Right Now

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June 28, 2026

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  • Christian author Linda Condolora offers practical guidance for believers who feel spiritually stagnant in their walk with Christ
  • “Bold Devotion” uses an acrostic structure to help readers reignite the fervor they experienced at their conversion
  • The book emphasizes sacrificing worldly distractions, diving deeper into Scripture, and living intentionally for the Lord

We all know about the rut — the one that we who have been Christians for quite some time can get into. The one where our spiritual fervor is depleted and our autopilot kicks on to keep us moving forward.

This is where going through the motions becomes our normal, and we don’t even realize we have slipped into the rut until a book like “Bold Devotion” shakes us and pulls us out.

Linda Condolora, a member of the Wetzel Road Church of Christ in Liverpool, N.Y., provides practical advice on how to regain that zeal we had when we first arose from the watery grave of baptism!

Her book invites readers to assess their lives and do some house cleaning where necessary. The chapters revolve around topics that will help us to achieve this by using an acrostic of the book’s title.

She begins with our reflection of Jesus and how we need to refocus our lenses on him, not letting worldly distractions blur our vision. Others are sure to detect whether we have been spending time with the Lord, and how we represent Christ to the world is of utmost importance.

Condolora consistently urges us to sacrifice our wants and desires and to dive deeper into the depth of God’s Word — focusing on the meaty morsels and not simply on the milk.

Next, we are called to not be ignorant of God’s expectations clearly laid out by the measuring stick standard — his Holy Writ. By doing so, we gain a greater understanding of who we once were and where God has brought us through the death of his son.

This helps us with our attitudes toward the lost because we realize we were once in the same situation! Our rut can sometimes look like spending all of our time with the church and not seeing the opportunities that God is setting before us to reach souls.

The remainder of the book centers on aligning with God’s will, living inconveniently and whole-heartedly for the Lord, and tying ourselves to truth as we worship and serve him accordingly.

Condolora’s thoughts on being prepared and intentional about how we can influence others to live the abundant life stuck with me as I earnestly jotted down notes and highlighted passages. A final note on the Holy Spirit and prayer wraps up the book’s desire for us to utilize these powerful tools and gifts in our lives.

One of the things I enjoyed most about this book was how the author incorporated personal stories and experiences that gave real world examples to the messages she was trying to paint in the reader’s mind. I can almost feel her passion flowing from the words, and I love that she has embraced the boldness that she encourages others to share in.

While my views may not align exactly with hers on subjects such as social drinking and the Holy Spirit’s specific role in our lives today, this was certainly a book that sparked my interest and awoke me from somewhat of a spiritual slumber. If you find yourself in the rut, pick up this book and remember what it was like to have that fire burning within you. Then go out and live boldly devoted to the Lord!

Let us know what you think, please share your thoughts in the comments below.

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