This book was written to encourage the body of Christ to know that we have biblical models from the Hall of faith that were Champions of Faith. These models will help to inspire each believer to personally live out their fullest potential as Faith Champions. We too like the heroes of yesterday can walk today courageously believing and experiencing the endless posssibilities that comes through faith in God. Let mountain-moving faith arise in you as you journey through the pages of this book.

Through the words of such Catholic athletes as Sammy Sosa, Tara Lipinski, and Dave Wannstedt, this book reveals that heroes still exist. It also reveals that for many of those who take their role-model status seriously, faith plays a major part in their success and their witness.

Having grown up in an impoverished environment, Demario Davis found himself leading a life filled with drugs, alcohol, violence, and eventually, jail. With the odds against him at every turn, he continued to pursue his dream of making a name for himself in the NFL. But when given a divine warning that he was dangerously close to hitting his final strike, he began searching for something greater. Journey with him as he shares his story of finding what it means to become a true champion in the midst of what the world may deem defeat. “If you’ve ever had the chance to meet Demario, you will truly understand the common phrase ‘force of nature.’ This title is normally reserved for athletes who are so powerful and agile that it’s overwhelming; you can’t stop it. Demario is like that on the field, but his joy, character, and passion for life might be his most powerful attributes. This book reminds us all that there’s something greater we live for. This might not always show up on a scoreboard or in a bank account, but our wins and losses do not have to define us. God’s call on our lives is the most important. Demario’s life is evidence of this exact thing. This book will be a blessing to anybody who is trying to make a difference in this world. I highly recommend it.” Carl Lentz, lead pastor of Hillsong East Coast “Demario’s story is one that will inspire, encourage, and challenge anyone who reads it. This book is a powerful story from an incredible man, whose faith in God will impact generations to come.” Drew Brees, New Orleans Saints quarterback “It speaks volumes when people who have money, power, and influence take time out of their busy lives to focus on the things that matter most. I’m looking forward to seeing what Demario creates off the field through his new book and the insights he’s found through his journey.” Andy Mineo, rapper

Champions of Faith: Baseball Edition is a new and groundbreaking book that focuses on the intersection of sports and faith by showcasing how some of Major League Baseball s biggest stars are shaped and uplifted by their religious beliefs. This powerful sports special profiles many of the most accomplished and devout figures in the game, both on and off the field. It features inspiring stories, thrilling game highlights and deeply personal interviews with modern-day heroes whose careers have been strengthened and magnified by their faith in God. Provides some of baseball s best with a unique platform to discuss faith, family, teamwork, sacrifice, leadership, humility and the many virtues and spiritual lessons they have learned from our national pastime. Among the featured players and coaches are Mike Piazza, David Eckstein, Jeff Suppan, Tom Glavine, Mike Sweeney, Sean Casey, Ivan Rodriguez, Rich Donnelly, Jack McKeon, Jim Leyland, Craig Biggio, Juan Pierre, Sandy Alomar Jr., Mike Scioscia, Chris Speier, Carlos Beltran, Lance Berkman, and many others. Champions of Faith redefines the modern-day hero and is sure to thrill and inspire you from beginning to end.

Discover the nearly unbelievable true story of how a goofy catchphrase spoken by a coach's dying daughter inspired the 1992 Pittsburgh Pirates in game seven of the National League Championship Series and later became a sign from heaven to a grieving family at the end of game seven of the 1997 World Series. As a Major League Baseball coach, Rich Donnelly was dedicated, hardworking, and successful. But as a husband and father, he was distant, absent, and a failure. He'd let baseball take over his life, and as a result, his family suffered--that is, until the day he received some harrowing news. "Dad, I have a brain tumor, and I'm sorry." These words from his seventeen-year-old daughter, Amy, turned his world upside down. Now, more than ever, he was determined to put his family first. The time they spent together in the months before Amy's death were moments that Rich and his family will treasure forever, but they'll especially remember the inside joke that became a catchphrase for not only the Donnelly family but also the Pittsburgh Pirates as they played in the National League Championship Series that year: "The chicken runs at midnight." This book shares the heartwarming story behind the odd catchphrase--and how it still lives on as a symbol for never giving up--and proves that God can work in any person's life, even despite their mistakes and failures. As you learn more about Amy's incredible story, you'll discover: The life-changing power of forgiveness How to find peace and joy in the midst of loss The gift of God's grace Weaving baseball history with personal memoir, this book is one that will make you thrill to victory, believe in hope, and stand up to cheer for what is good in people's lives. It reminds us that God can work in our lives even when we think it's too late to change--and sometimes he sends us signs from heaven, if we only have eyes to see. Praise for The Chicken Runs at Midnight: "The Chicken Runs at Midnight is a beautiful story of baseball, family, and faith. Tom Friend does a wonderful job of weaving these three themes together and telling you a story that will give you the chills. You will cry; you will laugh; and you will tell the story over and over again--just as I have." --Craig Counsell, manager of the Milwaukee Brewers "The Chicken Runs at Midnight is the kind of heartwarming story all of us need, not just baseball fans. In our loud, busy world, it's a poignant reminder of what is truly important." --Tom Verducci, bestselling author of The Yankee Years and The Cubs Way

This book ‘Faith Champions’ reveals the faith of God the Creator’s absolute sovereignty and unveils the grace of God’s salvation to God’s created children. Faith in created beings ratified cultural, traditional, and customary actuality. Faith in God the Creator verified holy, sovereign, divine factuality. The good news of God’s redemption evidenced God’s purpose of living and God’s will of life transforming all faithful and faithless people into Faith Champions of God. Faith Champions under God assured God’s promised blessing and God’s everlasting resurrection. Faith Champions in God manifested God’s saving salvation and God’s amazing grace. Faith Champions through God profiled God’s merciful attitude and God’s gracious attribute. Faith Champions for God professed God’s natural suffering and God’s supernatural rejoicing. Faith Champions with God demonstrated God’s sinful forgiveness and God’s genuine giving. Faith Champions about God proclaimed God’s righteous morality and God’s eternal immortality. Faith Champions with God declared God’s divine hope and God’s unconditional love. Faith Champions of God witnessed God’s mysterious existence and testified God’s mighty words plus God’s miraculous deeds to all people in all nations by God’s grace through faith. ‘For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.’ Ephesians 2:8-10 NIV