Pray Continually

     Crossfire is a Basketball Ministry team founded by Randy shepherd and Jamie Johnson.  These guys travel the world sharing the gospel through basketball.  The team consists of former all-star college players and even pro players.  If anyone ever has a need for a sports ministry team, I highly recommend Crossfire.  Visit www.crossfireministry.com for more info.  Tell Randy Bill Butcher sent you.

     While I was in Romania, I met the Crossfire team.  Immediately my first impression was, these guys are genuine and real.  Some of the most humble men I have ever met.  Possessing talent way before their years.  I say way before their years because most of them are older men who play like college students much younger. 

     One afternoon, Crossfire was playing an expo game against the Romanian National team in a high school gym.  My first impression of the Romanian players was, these guys are stoic and mean.  I saw no smile and nothing but fight in their eyes.  As the game began, it was obvious that my first impression was right.  They pushed hard, fouled often and showed no mercy.  The crossfire team just kept playing on, pushing hard back, along with showing mercy. 

Here are the Romanian players marching like
Gladiators just prior to the games start. 

     It was half time when Randy signaled over to a couple of us and indicated that we needed to pray and pray for the Romanian players.  We did, we got on our knees on the sidelines and began to pray.  My prayer is that God would break through the hardness of their hearts and reveal the truth of who He was.  I prayed that each of them would discover Christ this day. 

This Randy Sharing the Gospel at Halftime.

     Randy went center court at half time and without any hesitation shared the gospel the way He always does using a basketball, toothbrush, cell phone, and a bible.  Without skipping a beat, he gave an invitation for those who wanted to accept Christ into their hearts for the first time.  As if it were pre planned, every Romanian player including the coaches all raised their hands.  Then, they all got on their knees and prayed to accept Christ into their lives as their Lord and Savior. 

This is the Crossfire men congratulating
the Romania guys for their decision for Christ 

     The second half of the game was a different game altogether.  The Romanian players were smiling, patting crossfire guys on the back for good plays, helping their opponent up off the floor when they fell, and hugs like that of brotherhood ended the game.

Here is a very short verse everyone should memorize:

I Thessalonians 5:17 pray continually

May my life be the proof and evidence of His love!