Tebow to Speak to Thousands at Calif. Church Event on Father's Day
New York Jets quarterback Tim Tebow is among the speakers for a Father's Day event to be held at a large stadium in San Diego, Calif., on Sunday.
The outspoken Christian athlete will be the special guest for a ceremony titled "Father's Day 2012: Encouraging Men To Live, Love & Lead," at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, where he led the Denver Broncos, his former team, to victory against the San Diego Chargers last season.
Tebow and Pastor David Jeremiah of Shadow Mountain Community Church will speak for 50 minutes at the event that is free and open to public, according to North County Times.
Get Our Latest News for FREE
Tens of thousands are expected to come to listen to Tebow, who was traded from the Denver Broncos to the Jets in March. "Originally, this was planned for our campus, and we went from too many people and not enough seats, to plenty of seats and room for all the people who want to come," the host church's spokesman, David St. John, was quoted as saying.
"Tim recognizes that the real game changer is Jesus Christ, and he passionately lives out his faith every day, both publicly and privately," Pastor Jeremiah said in a statement. "Tim gives Christ the glory and honor at every turn and he embraces the label 'role model' in this time when most athletes shun the title."
John said Tebow best illustrates "what it means to live with passion and break the mold, and to rise above what everybody says are your limitations."
"He did that as a quarterback in Florida, he did that in the NFL with the Denver Broncos, and I certainly wouldn't want to be in the camp that bets against him as he continues his career with the Jets," John stated, according to the Times. "There are a lot of folks who will be sitting in the bleachers on Sunday who have been given the same kind of message – either, 'You're not talented enough' or 'You're not capable of leading.'"
Tebow drew a crowd of more than 15,000 people when he spoke at a nondenominational, outdoor Easter service of Celebration Church in Georgetown, Texas, on April 8.
The quarterback told the audience America's culture should get back to "what this country was based on: one nation under God." He also said he saw no problem in openly talking about his Christian faith, and welcomed the attention his convictions and the "Tebowing" prayer pose draw. "It's being talked about," he said. "That's exciting … It's OK to be outspoken about your faith."
