Crossroads Church guested Evan McPherson, an American football placekicker from Cincinnati Bengals, to its annual "Super Bowl" preaching service on Sunday, Feb. 12.
Super Bowl of Preaching
Crossroads Church has been using football as a way to attract attendees to its services for 21 years, particularly on a day when church attendance is usually low.
According to Crossroads Pastor Chuck Mingo, this approach is an easy way to invite people to the church.
He also stated that many individuals who attend for the first time return and experience positive life changes as a result.
The Super Bowl of Preaching pits pastors against each other, with some messages having football-related themes.
Pastors are also challenged to incorporate surprise phrases into their speeches.
Overall, this approach is considered a fun and effective way to reach out to the community and spread the word of God.
The event has grown significantly over the past 21 years, starting from a simple stage setup with a green AstroTurf carpet to a more elaborate production that includes original commercials and a halftime show.
The event is broadcasted from Oakley to various Crossroads locations throughout the Tri-State.
Like the Super Bowl, the services require a team effort and months of preparation to produce.
How to Perform with a Winning Attitude
McPherson is now a well-known figure in Cincinnati as a result of his impressive performances as a rookie kicker for the Bengals.
He has secured victory for the team in both the AFC Championship and the Super Bowl with his game-winning field goals.
In addition to his position as a rookie kicker for the Bengals, McPherson is also known for his vocal Christian faith, which has endeared him to fellow believers who support him.
According to Metro Voice, McPherson, who was raised in a Christian household in Fort Payne, Alabama, frequently expresses his faith on social media.
He often shares photos on Instagram accompanied by scriptural captions.
After the victory on Saturday, he posted a caption on Instagram with the words "God is good," along with a quote from Psalm 34:8.
When he was named AFC special team player of the month, McPherson wrote: "Glory to God."
He also shared a quote from 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 in his post.
In spring 2021, McPherson also expressed gratitude to God after the Bengals selected him in the fifth round of the NFL draft.
He tweeted at the time Proverbs 16:3.
And so, during his appearance at Crossroad's Super Bowl of Preaching event, McPherson spoke to the audience about how his faith in God supports him on the football field.
According to a report by the Cincinnati Enquirer, he was asked by Pastor Brian Tome how he manages to maintain a "winning attitude," a theme of the sermon.
McPherson responded, saying that it all begins with belief and trust, both in himself and in God.
He explained that he believes in his abilities and trusts that God will not place him in situations that are too difficult to handle.
He added that with God and the support of Cincinnati behind him, he feels confident and motivated to succeed.
More from Crossmap:
