First Baptist Church, Jasper
I met Geoff Perdue through our Upward basketball ministry here at First Baptist Church, Jasper. Geoff loved to coach and share his faith with the young boys and girls on his team. He worked all year on being a better coach, took the game of basketball seriously and desired to be the best coach he could be. He worked hard and expected his team to do the same. Yet he was always fair and a good Christian witness to his young team.
In talking to Geoff, I learned that the main reason he loved this game and coaching was that he was introduced to Jesus through a Christian basketball coach when he was a young person. It changed his life forever, and he wanted to make sure that other young people had the same opportunity. If he could make an eternal difference in one child’s life, then it was worth the time and energy he put into coaching.
It’s been about 10 months now since I preached Geoff’s funeral. This young 43-year-old was cut down in the prime of life by a pulmonary embolism that resulted from an auto accident. He left behind his loving wife and two wonderful children. He left behind a loving set of parents who never dreamed that they would bury one of their children. He left behind a grieving church and basketball team. But he left with us a legacy of being a Christian witness as a coach. He left behind a legacy in the hearts of the young men and women who had the privilege to play on his team. Who knows how many hearts have been changed because of the witness of this young coach?
Several months later, we instituted an annual award to be given to the coach who exemplifies a strong Christian witness in our Upward program. It is the Geoff Perdue award.
Geoff Perdue’s life is an example of how a person can make an eternal difference in others’ lives through his or her witness of the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. You don’t have to be a preacher or evangelist to lead someone to Jesus. Use the opportunities that come your way. You never know what a difference you can make in someone’s life.
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