Athletes In Christ


J.R. House Sport: Baseball Team: Pittsburgh Pirates
J.R. House Reports to Training Camp, Spiritual Training Camp! J.R. in the House, the House of God. This young athletes accomplishments on the playing field reads like his life has been destined for greatness. His own understanding of this greatness changed this past off-season. J.R. may certainly rank as one of the most prolific high school quarterbacks of all time, owning numerous national records. He may also be one of professional baseballs hottest rising stars and the Pittsburgh Pirates top big league prospect, but he has now taken on a much greater assignment. Like many, J.R. went to church with his family because that is what he was supposed to do. Not wanting to not be able to understand what the pastor was talking about, J.R. began reading the Bible. J.R. will tell you that this was merely for informational purposes. As he learned more, J.R. became more involved in the church but he still didnt understand that he was lacking the personal relationship with Jesus Christ. At a young age playing little league baseball in Daytona Beach, FL, J.R. met Chase Tramont. Their childhood friendship was put on hold as they went to separate high schools. As J.R. excelled on the baseball and football fields racking up championships, Chase was across town leading Mainland H.S. on the basketball court to a state championship of his own. The two were reunited in the fall of 2002 and it certainly wasnt by coincidence. God brought Chase back into J.R.s life in His perfect timing. Chase, a youth pastor at Daytona Beach First Baptist, invited J.R. to an event at their church that featured Frank Reicht as the guest speaker. Reicht is a former NFL quarterback with a tremendous testimony of how Christ worked in his life. J.R.s life changed that evening as he began to understand that he was chosen before the creation of the world. Destined for greatness!!!! A higher calling than he could even imagine as a great athlete. J.R. freely accepted this calling when he accepted Jesus Christ into his heart as his personal savior on October 13, 2002. As he began to get his life in order, he started by getting baptized at the very church in Daytona where he accepted his calling. To see the joy on his face as he tells this story, it is evident that this event in his life far outweighs any other. His records may stand, or they may fall but his salvation can never be taken away. It is a record of eternity, a lasting record of his name placed prominently in the Book of Life never to be blotted out. J.R. is truly in the House! Welcome home J.R. J.R. now has the kind of joy that will never go away. As he struggles through some injuries of recent that have been compounded by being away from home and in some cases being around others that cant yet understand this joy that is upon his life, he is learning that God will never leave him or forsake him. I now understand what its all about and who I am playing for. This spring has been a Spiritual Training Camp for J.R. and God is at work in his life preparing him for true greatness. J.R. has time with God each day, seeking Him out for guidance and direction. God is bringing other athletes into J.R.s life who shares his love for Christ and they are encouraging each other daily. There is a great awaking today in professional sports and God is using athletes in a great and mighty way. Each of us should use whatever gifts and resources God has made available to us to serve others, faithfully administering Gods grace in its various forms. (I Peter 4:10). As J.R. continues to take baby steps (reading and praying daily and only listening to Christian music), God is preparing him for greater things. While he has been humbled by injury, God has shown him that there is more to life than baseball. He has been set free and his destiny can not be altered. As an athlete, you definitely want J.R. on your team. How much greater it is to have J.R. on Christs team!!! Previous Athlete Spotlights Jacob Duncan - Baseball: Baltimore Orioles J.R. House - Football / Baseball: West Virginia University Danny Wuerffel - Football: Desire Street Ministries HOUSE STILL ATTRACTING NEW FANS - Baseball: Pittsburgh Pirates House Sponsors Camp - Baseball: Pittsburgh Pirates Rod Harper - Football: Southeast Seminoles Jennifer Magley - Tennis: Florida Gators Scott McGregor - Baseball: Aberdeen Ironbirds (Baltimore Orioles) William Morland - Football: Western Kentucky University Chris Rix - Football: Florida State Seminoles Todd Williams - Football: Florida State Seminoles Jon Kessick - Baseball: Baltimore Orioles Paul McCord - Football: Baltimore Ravens