Most of you know John Bostock as a professional football player (or soccer player to Americans). Of course, if you know that much, you also know that he recently went to play for Antwerp, Belgium. This move comes at a time when he is looking to realize his full potential.
John Bostock was hailed as a rising star. In 2008 he became the youngest player ever to play for Tottenham Hotspur Football Club at age 16. In the years following Bostock was on loan to several different football clubs, but he didn’t experience huge success at any of them. After returning from his stint with Toronto FC in 2013, he was released by Tottenham and became a free agent in the premier league.
It was at this time that John Bostock joined Royal Antwerp Football Club, or Antwerp as it is commonly called. His primary motivator in this move was the desire of Royal Antwerp manager Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink to help him realize his full potential. The Telegraph quotes Bostock as saying, “My main goal is to fulfill my potential. I have a lot of work to do, one way of doing that is playing as many games as possible. Here I have a platform to improve and a manager who really believes in me…”
John Bostock Seeks to Fulfill His Potential as a Christian
Less known, and certainly not widely publicized, was John’s desire to realize a different kind of potential. He became a believer at the age of 15, but he feels that there is more that God requires of his life than what he is currently doing. As he begins his journey to fulfill his potential as a professional athlete, John Bostock sought out an opportunity to realize his full potential as a mentor and leader in the kingdom of God as well.
Of course, John’s profession requires him to travel a lot. He doesn’t work on a set schedule like most people, so going to a traditional seminary was out of the question for him. Christian Leaders Institute brings the classes to him wherever he is and whenever he has time for them. Here is the story of his spiritual journey in his own words.
I am John Bostock and I was born and raised in London, England,UK, which is steeped in Christian
history. However, sadly now as a country we have turned away from what formed and made us. People are very cold towards the name Jesus Christ and the Gospel and often regard intellectualism and intelligence greater than faith, and are unable to link the two. By His grace there are still great opportunities to share what God has done and is doing.
I grew up without any spiritual guidance. When I was 15, I witnessed how the Lord could change a sinner and I saw that first hand in the life of my sister. Her life had been radically transformed, she later invited me to church. After declining for a while I decided I should go. That service the pastor gave an alter call and I was immediately convicted of my sin, the power of the Holy Spirit really overwhelmed me to the point where I was weeping over my sin. At that moment there was no doubt that Jesus was real and that He was the only solution to my sin. I walked to the front of the church, fell to my knees and surrendered my life to my Lord and savior Jesus Christ.
I am still trying to figure out exactly what God wants me to do in ministry. As a professional athlete I have a desire to see other athletes come to know Jesus and that Christ would be lifted up in sports. I am also passionate about young people. Growing up in London many young boys grow up without a father figure and the role of being a mentor to these young men is something that I want to fulfill. The Lord has given me a real burden for preaching so I want to use that to share the gospel.
I am an evangelist at heart as I believe I have been entrusted with the gift of evangelism. I have been used to lead people to Christ and I find it quite easy to talk about the gospel and God. I also have the honor of leading regular bible studies which is a blessing as I love to teach Gods word.
There isn’t one key experience that prompted me to pursue ministry. The desire of my heart is to be as fruitful as possible and to be a good steward of what God has given me. People are spiritually dead, Jesus is the only solution and ministry is a great way in sharing that in love.
In Europe, peoples’ hearts are hard towards the Gospel and even the thought of entertaining a conversation about “God”, so already there are challenges.
My pastor and local church have supported me by showing me the love of Christ and displaying what it looks like to live for Jesus.
I travel a lot due to work and having an online bible course really allows me to study and learn as I go. It would be a great achievement to receive a scholarship at CLI. I know that in the process it will equip me to be better prepared for what Gods called me to do.
Please pray that God uses John Bostock for his glory. Athletes like Bostock have unique challenges.
Hello everyone, my name is Francis (Frank) Duarte and I live in a small town south of Albuquerque, NM called Los Lunas. I live here with my wife and kids. When I was very young I attended a Catholic School and church and thus baptized Catholic.
Unfortunately, after leaving the school, I drifted away from the church and God. I grew up and hardly ever went to church. I ended up getting married two other times and never realized that nothing was working out for me. I didn’t have God in my life. This last marriage was a little rocky at first and eventually realized I needed God in my life. In December of 2013 I got my bible out and let God back into my life.
I started going to church every Sunday and have been reading the bible religiously, anywhere from 20 to 30 hours a week. I felt a calling from God telling me to keep on doing what I’m doing and spread his word.
I spent countless hours on the internet trying to find free education to become a pastor at some point and I found CLI. With there help my dreams of becoming a pastor and spreading His word will be realized.
Sometimes Proclaiming Peace is Not Easy
I grew up in church and from the age of seven; I fell in love with Jesus. I wanted to be his helper when people persecuted him. I wanted to fight for him. I was too young to understand how important Jesus was to become in my life and how GOD would become active in my adult life.
My mother and step-dad bought every book they could find on “The Life of Jesus Christ” and “ALL” characters of “The Bible.” I read everything I could get my hands on. Then Mom died, my family broke up and my life went straight downhill. I began to hate myself; because somewhere inside; I “KNEW” GOD was not happy about my lifestyle. And through all my pain, injustices and abuse; I “STILL” talked to GOD. He was with me the whole time.
In the County Jail; Jesus came into my cell. I “KNEW” it was him. The cell got warm and comfortable and I could “ACTUALLY” hear him speaking to me. After that encounter; I sat up on the floor from my prostrate position and began to question my sanity. A guard came to open my door for dinner and she said, “My goodness, there is so much peace in this room. Have you been praying?” I burst into tears and told her the whole thing.
After that “EVERYONE” just wanted to sit outside my door and feel the “PEACE” Christ had left there as I was proclaiming peace to everyone. A few days later; GOD sent me to a convent for treatment and in that “Blessed House”, my Salvation and Deliverance began. GOD picked me up and changed my life. I was being prepared to for my life mission of proclaiming peace in the name of Jesus.
I am an evangelist and ‘Christian Leaders Institute”, is where I was directed. I was so nervous about taking these quizzes because I thought I would disappoint GOD but He held my hand through the first installment of “My CERTIFIED” walk for him. I am still a little nervous but; you know what?…GOD has reassured me that I have “NOTHING” to fear.
You see…I have got to let people know,”What an awesome GOD he is and why it’s so important that everyone form a “REAL” relationship with GOD! I told my family that I was going to become a Doctor of Theology (years ago) and look where GOD has placed me. I look forward to learning more and more and more about “The GOD” I serve. GOD Bless Christian Leaders Institute and everyone who reads this story.
Editors Note: Proclaiming Peace is a might calling. If you are interested in a ministry that specializing in proclaiming peace in the mists of various relationship check out Peacefire.