- Baptist Press - https://www.baptistpress.com -

Christian musicians, athletes share testimonies at hockey game

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NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)–You’ve probably heard the one about a hockey match breaking out at a fight — but how about a spiritual revival breaking out at a hockey game? Only in Nashville, Tenn., says Stu Grimson of the city’s NHL Predators.

Grimson, a born-again believer, along with the Christian music bands 4HIM and downhere, proclaimed the name of Jesus Christ between slap shots during Share Your Faith Night at a Predators-Dallas Stars game Nov. 3.

“I think it’s a great idea to incorporate Christian music and testimonies into NHL hockey,” Grimson told Baptist Press. “There are so many youth playing the game that it makes sense to incorporate your faith into the game.”

Despite the physical nature of the game, the 6-4, 240-pound left wing said he maintains a strong Christian walk.

“It’s what I do,” said Grimson, a native of Kamloops, British Columbia. “I am a physical player and I can tell you that I don’t compromise my beliefs. My message is to share the gospel.

“That’s one reason why the Predators brought me down to Nashville,” he said. “It’s because of my faith.”

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Mark Harris, of 4HIM, thought the idea of incorporating faith and hockey was great.

“We need to be creative in how we reach people,” Harris told Baptist Press. “There are folks here in this arena who would never set foot into a church, but tonight they are going to hear about our faith.”

4HIM performed a concert for hundreds of fans after the game, sponsored by Christian Hit Radio, Way-FM.

Fellow Canadian Glenn Lavender, bass guitar player for downhere, said he was impressed with the Predators’ openness to Share Your Faith Night.

“I thought, only in Nashville could this happen,” Lavender said. “Canada isn’t exactly the Bible belt, so this is a new experience for us.”

downhere played several sets in front of a packed house at Gaylord Entertainment Center during intermissions.

“We couldn’t do our normal show,” Lavender said. “Normally, we like to meet people after we sing, but I think these events expose us to more people.”

Jason Germain, the band’s acoustic guitar player, agreed. “It’s really cool,” he said. “Anytime we can share our God-inspired music, it’s really cool. The music we play is so relevant to our culture.”

And Germain, 24, a self-described hockey fan, said playing during a game was perfect.

“For us, our focus is to encourage the church,” Germain said. “It’s about being down to earth and being willing to serve.”
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