The Most Naturally Gifted Pastoral Leader I Have Seen In The Last 35 Years

I am about to make a very bold statement but one I feel deeply to be true.  I think Derwin Gray, Senior Pastor of Transformation Church in Rock Hill, SC, is the most naturally gifted Christian leader to enter the pastorate since Bill Hybels planted Willow Creek Community Church 37 years ago! 

Pastor Derwin is a GREAT, GREAT Leader!  He is a former professional football player who now leads one of America’s fastest growing churches.  When I think of the people I look to for personal coaching, two names come to mind – my boss and friend Joe Sangl and Pastor Derwin.

I have had the privilege of having him speak into my life previously and have made some changes for the better.  Also, I am currently reading his book Hero which I recommend to all men wanting to become the hero God has called them to be.  Because I know Derwin, he writes like he speaks.  It’s almost like having him sitting beside you cheering you on!

The following are a number of links in which you could, excuse me SHOULD, connect with this incredible man.  He will make you a better leader.

Derwin’s Blog – www.DerwinLGray.com to read Just Marinating

Twitter – www.twitter.com/derwinlgray

Transformation Church – www.TransformationChurch.tc

I am deeply honored to have him as a guest blogger today.  The following is an incredible post he wrote at the time of this year’s NFL Draft entitled “Dear Professional Athlete.”  I know you will love it as much as I did.

“Dear Professional Athlete,

My name is Derwin L. Gray.

I too was once a little boy with the big dream of playing in the NFL.  In 1993, the Indianapolis Colts called me, and with that, the big dream became my reality.  I lived the dream for six seasons, from 1993-1998.  I was even a team captain for the 1995-1996 Indianapolis Colts who played in the 1996 AFC Championship game.

I lived the dream which you are now living.

You need to understand the truth about the dream you are living. One day, it will end. And if you aren’t careful, if you don’t prepare for that day, your dream will turn on you and become a nightmare.

Listen, within three years of retirement, 80% of NFL players will be divorced, addicted to drugs or alcohol, or be financially bankrupt.  I know these statistics are true, not just because it’s what the research reveals, but also because I’ve seen this played out in the lives of my former teammates.

The question is, “Why does this happen?” Here are two reasons why I believe this happens:

1.  Professional athletes often think that their identity is found in what they do. I used to say, “I’m Derwin.  I play football.”

So, here’s a question:  “What happens the day you can’t play football?”  Who are you then?  If what you do is who you are, then when you can’t do what you did, then you are a nobody. And being a nobody crushes the former professional athlete spirit. You go from people worshiping you as god, to a nobody.

At this point, many former professional athletes are lost and in search of a new identity. They search and search and search, looking for something or someone that will make them feel like a god again. They want their past glory, but it is nowhere to be found.

This is where addiction surfaces and destroys their lives.

2.  Professional athletes often don’t prepare for the next chapter of their lives.

Many professional athletes dominate on the field or court, but are dominated by life because they haven’t invested in the development of life skills like marriage enrichment, financial planning, graduating college, or doing internships in the offseason to prepare for life after professional sports.

When I played for the Colts, during the offseason, I finished my degree from Brigham Young University and I did an internship at an investment firm for three years. I wanted to know how to manage my own money (not let someone else), plus I wanted to prepare for the day when I would get fired from the NFL. Besides, I didn’t want my NFL career to be the highlight of my life, but simply a great chapter that led to an even greater chapter in my life.

If you’re a professional athlete and you somehow come across this blog, I’d love to send you my book, “Hero”; it will help you prepare to tackle life.   You can learn about “Hero” by clicking here.

Marinate on that,
Pastor Derwin”

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