Dave Backes has combined both skill and toughness like few players have done in the National Hockey League in the last 10 years. For the first several years of his career he played for the St. Louis Blues. He was their captain in the last few years he played for them. He now plays for the Boston Bruins.
Dave Backes’ Christian Testimony
In his testimony, he wrote the following: “My parents encouraged me to follow Jesus from a young age, but it was the idea of a personal relationship with Christ that inspired me to know Jesus and to live with His grace and by His word every day“.
He also mentions that it is friendship with other Christian athletes, weekly team chapels and occasional sports chapels with other athletes which has helped him to be faithful in his walk with the Lord.
Hockey Ministries International run chapel programs for many Pro and Junior hockey teams. When Rocky Thompson became the coach of the Windsor Spitfires three years ago, he became instrumental in starting a Hockey Chapel program for the Spitfires. Rocky is a committed Christian. He knows the blessing and benefit that these chapels can have in players’ lives. Backes is a case in point.
Chapels and fellowship with Christian teammates have been vital in Backes’ spiritual growth. He writes that: “Making a daily priority of reading the Bible, listening to online sermons, and reading e-books also helps my faith to grow and gives me something to lean on when times are tough.” Backes is very thankful for each day and thankful for the strength the Lord gives him to push through struggles and the lessons learned in each lesson.
He knows it’s easy to drift from God when the going is tough, but Backes has learned to trust the Lord in the struggles, knowing that God is working in his life, especially in tough times. He prays before and after each game. His favorite Scripture verses that guide him and give him strength are Philippians 4:13 – “I can do everything through Him who gives me strength” and Colossians 3:23: – “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord”. Backes’ teammates would testify to his great work ethic who leaves his best effort on the ice every night.
Starting A Personal Relationship With Jesus
Backes encourages people to get a good translation of the Bible and start reading it for yourself, if you want to start a relationship with Jesus and to grow in it. You will be blessed and you will never regret travelling through life with Jesus. He is the Good Shepherd who has laid down his life for his sheep. Those who have trusted him as Saviour know his voice and they follow him in this world, in all of its ups and downs.
This is the Good News of Jesus Christ.
QOTD: Have you trusted Christ as your Saviour and Lord?