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Jason Smith Fan Day
18 Nov 2006
The Kings v Dragons game was fantastic...an overtime "nail-biter" that saw the Kings come out on top after an emotional roller-coaster of a ride. The Jason Smith Fan Day immediately after the game was simply "unbelievable". After the game an estimated 2500 people stayed back to hear the team captain share his journey story of faith in Christ.
The programme was introduced by Gary Speckman (AIA) and Daniel Willis (Bible Society of NSW). Jason was introduced by the head coach Brian Goorjian who said that Jason was "not just a great basketball player, but a great person".
Jason then started by saying he had some friends who wanted to say something first. In a semi-circle surrounding him were six other professional and world class athletes. Each of them shared briefly that they "agreed with Jason...the loved the Kings...and the loved the King of Kings. It was powerful to hear from Marty Wilson (NSW Waratahs-rugby union), Jeremy Rolleston (Winter Olympics Australian Bobsledder), Allison Shreeve (World Champion Windsurfer), Steve Meredith (Sydney Roosters-rugby league), Ric Chapman (sports journalist and author), and Debbie King (athletics).
Jason then shared his personal journey story with an emphasis on how he actually placed his faith in Christ by the side of his bed one night at the (then) peak of his basketball career.
He had come to the conclusion that basketball--even at the top of the game--was not enough to give his life real meaning.
While Jason took a breath, one of his teammates (Rodney Elliott) stood to say that he, too, "loved the Kings...and the King of Kings--his King--Jesus. Rodney was joined by Jason's wife, Carla, who shared her heart with the crowd about Jason's faith as the rock she had relied on the last couple of months during a very rough time. Her testimonial was a bit different...she loves "the Kings...the King of Kings...and the captain of the Kings".
Jason returned to the microphone to give a simple and brief explanation of the Gospel and asked for anyone present who wanted to join him in God's family to repeat silently after him as he said a prayer similar to the one he had prayed by his bedside. He prayed as well as he played...and seven people in the audience indicated a decision to enter into a relationship with Christ.
It was especially encourgaging to see the entire Kings team doing their post-game stretches on the floor behind Jason as he spoke from the court. Several of them afterwards told Jason how much they appreciated him and thanked him for standing up publically for his belief. One of Jason's work associates told him after the game that they needed to get together for coffee and talk more about how a person became a Christian.
Jason concluded the programme by autographing several hundred "journey story" cards provided by the Bible Society of NSW. The entire programme was very positive and well received by all attending.
Several articles about the Jason Smith Fan game have appeared on the Kings official website. You may want to link to them...
www.sydneykings.com.au
Or go directly to the articles...
"Smith set to share his journey with fans" (17/11/2006)
Plus a mention in the detailed report on the game...
"Firepower Kings outlast Dragons..." (18/11/2006)
While you are at the website you might also enjoy an article written about Jason on March 8, 2005 entitled "Spiritual leader led by King of Kings".
Servant of Kings (Academy)
 | Gary at the Kings' Academy
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Gary (team chaplain) was asked by the Sydney Kings management to present "his message" to the Kings' Academy last Tuesday. He was introduced by former Kings player Dean Uthoff (The Man Mountain) as "a part of the support team who is a tremendous help to the players...with a lot of positive things to say about life and spirituality".
Using ball games, stories, and quotes from players to add some ""zing" to the 30 minute presentation, the young players (over 40 of them) were encouraged to spend some time working on their spiritual lives in order to improve their game. Gary shared how he had made a commitment (at about their age) to Jesus as both "champion and teammate"...and then encouraged them to give some careful thought making a similiar commitment.
Each of the participants received a colourful booklet (Gospel of Mark) which included the spiritual journey stories of several sportsmen and sportswomen including the Captain of the Sydney Kings (Jason Smith).
There were several enthusiastic responses from the crowd in the cafeteria after the session and a hearty affirmation from the organizers that the input was "Perfect". Gary later received a call from the Kings saying there was some good participant response to that element of the academy and that they would want to involve him more in similiar presentations in the future.
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Commonwealth Games--2006
"Amazing Race"
You may have seen the 1500m final at the games...and if you are an Aussie you were probably crushed that Craig Motram was tripped up and did not medal. But...did you know that Nick Willis (the New Zealand runner) who won the gold, actually beat Motram a few weeks before Games in New Zealand?
And did you know that Nick competes to win BOTH the prize that will not last (a gold medal) and an everlasting crown?
In the lead up to the 1500m Nick was pretty sick and had a sporadic training which was not ideal, bu the Lord graced him with a victory...and upon receiving this blessing, Nick turned it back to praise...
...During the television coverage of the race, whilst the camera was away from Nick, I heard "Praise the Lord" in a very familiar voice and I knew it was Nick yelling out in thanksgiving. To watch him win that race...well, let's just say I had tears streaming down my face. I cannot imagine what he...or his family...
or his Father in heaven were feeling.
Please join us in praying for Nick and his career...and that he would continue to grow in the Lord and use his platform of athletic victory to impact many around him.
by Jessica Blake
 | Jessica Blake
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Check out these web pages for a full story on Nick here and here.
These two web pages I hope will give you insight into a guy I met in 2002 at the University of Michigan. At the time, Nick would not have said he was a Christian but in the following years through the impact of his family in New Zealand and AIA in Michigan, Nick came into a relationship with Jesus. From that initial meeting to now I have seen a somewhat arrogant guy transformed into a humble servant of the Lord who sits at the feet of Jesus. During my time at Michigan I got to know Nick, and as I have mentioned, to see him grow incredibly in his walk with the Lord. Nick has an amazing gift of encouragement . He spoke many times into my life and his words have had lasting effects if he does not know it.
Aust AIA's own Jessica Blake is tearing up the field again...this time at the Uni Games in Coffs Harbour fo the week July 3-7.
Jess is serving as an "official" chaplain at the Games and has already had opportunity to share her faith with some of her hockey team mates. She is working closely with the Games Medical Director (Dr. Bruce Watts) who was formerly discipled (many years ago) by AIA team leader Gary Speckman.
Please pray for Jess as she missions and ministers to others at Coffs Harbour.
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