Rod Hairston has a unique preaching assignment. During the NFL season he gets to preach every week to the Baltimore Ravens' players and coaching staff. It may not seem like your typical Sunday morning crowd, but check out the article and you might be surprised. Rod told us that it's a misconception that pro athletes "have it all." As Rod says, "They've got challenges as fathers or husbands or sons and brothers. So they have the same needs that you and I have. As a result, they just want somebody who can speak to them as men and who will give them the truth of the gospel and not some watered-down version." That's why even pro athletes need the message of Christ crucified.

Check out the article and pass it along to your friends. It's free. Rod offers some valuable lessons about preaching and pastoring that apply to all of us.

This week we also feature:

• Sermon: Wisdom in the Cross, by Lee Eclov
• Illustration: Father Motivated by Love and Justice
• Video: All About Him

In Christ,

Matt Woodley
Managing Editor, PreachingToday.com
mwoodley@christianitytoday.com

Matt Woodley is the pastor of compassion ministries at Church of the Resurrection in Wheaton, Illinois.