Cross the Line: Christian Footballers Talk God, Faith And The Beautiful Game

by Ollie Baines, Liam Flint

Overview

Twenty high-profile footballers share their faith and reveal how it influences their lives, both on and off the pitch.

The book offers a range of information and insights into strictly football matters, while also exploring the way these players have 'crossed the line' into a relationship with Jesus, and showing how God is actively at work in professional football today.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780281076802
Publisher:	SPCK (Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge)
Publication date:	07/21/2016
Pages:	144
Product dimensions:	5.10(w) x 7.70(h) x 0.50(d)

About the Author

Ollie Baines and Liam Flint are co-founders of Cross The Line (http://xtheline.co.uk). Ollie was included in Premier Christian Radio’s recent feature on ‘33 Young Christian Leaders', and both were finalists in the 2015 Football Blog Awards.

Ollie Baines and Liam Flint are co-founders of Cross The Line (http://xtheline.co.uk). Ollie was included in Premier Christian Radio's recent feature on '33 Young Christian Leaders', and both were finalists in the 2015 Football Blog Awards.

Table of Contents

Contents
Acknowledgements ix
Introduction xi
1 Odion Ighalo: 'My God is able' 2
2 John Bostock: 'I am a Christian first and a footballer second' 8
3 Chuba Akpom: 'God gives you the talent and the rest is up to you' 14
4 Victor Wanyama: 'I always put God first' 20
5 Gavin Peacock: 'I had put all my hope in football' 26
6 Benik Afobe: 'God features in my everyday life' 32
7 Christian Atsu: 'I'm inspired by God who gives me strength' 38
8 Paul-Jose M'poku: 'Do everything for the glory of God' 44
9 Darren Moore: 'My performance is unto God because that's who I want to glorify' 50
10 Ricardo Kaka: 'My essence will not change and my essence is Jesus' 58
11 Sammy Ameobi: 'I realize that God gave me this gift' 64
12 Darren Bent: 'I believe in God and that he helps you through' 72
13 Kwadwo Asamoah: 'When you are willing to work hard and pray, anything is possible' 78
14 Leandro Castan: 'All honour and glory to him' 84
15 Saido Berahino: 'Always put God first' 90
16 Linvoy Primus: 'God had a bigger plan for my life' 96
17 Tobi Alabi: 'You need to discover him for yourself' 102
18 Hernanes: 'Put the word of Christ in first place' 108
19 Victor Anichebe: 'It is only God that matters' 114
20 Heurelho Gomes: 'Thanks to God, my life is so different now' 122

What People are Saying About This

The Revd Canon J. John

"I am truly grateful for the revealing insights in this book."

Simon Thomas

"Not just fascinating, but a massive encouragement."

Editorial Reviews

Football, fame, fast living, and faith? Surely they can’t go together? The modern day footballer appears to have everything, but beneath the glamorous surface are people just like you and me with their hopes, fears and frailties. To hear them talking openly and honestly about their faith is not just fascinating, but a massive encouragement.

I am truly grateful for the revealing insights in this book from those who have not just played football well but kept the faith while doing so.

A rare, interesting and encouraging look at how some well-known football players live out their faith on and off the pitch. A great read for football fans like me!

From the Publisher

Refreshing to discover through this book that football, fame and faith can come together. This is a most interesting and encouraging book which will prove a good read for football and non-football fans alike.

Clifford Skillen