A simple request

Throughout life, most of us have the incredible privilege of coming in contact with certain people who live exceptionally and set inspiring examples in every day life. My life is one that has been greatly impacted by many exceptional people but there has been one young man who made such an impact on my life that God compelled me to write a book sharing his story.

Justin Sullivan was a giant of the faith who grew up at Council Road and made a difference in the lives of many people. I had the awesome privilege of serving as Justin’s youth pastor from the time he entered the Student ministry as a seventh grader up to the time of his death immediately following his graduation from High School. On the day I preached Justin’s funeral, God revealed to me that his story must be written down and told in a way that points others to a deeper walk with Jesus Christ. Justin grew to become a spiritual giant of the faith. It is my deepest prayer that his example will impact countless lives through this written record. I have committed to the Lord to not only personally learn from Justin’s life example but to also faithfully and effectively tell his story to others.

Justin graduated third in his class at Yukon High School, where he was not only an honor student, but also an honor athlete. Justin had a strong desire to bring glory to the Lord in every aspect of his life. He was named Baseball Player of the Year for the State of Oklahoma by the Daily Oklahoman on June 2, 2002. The following day he was tragically killed in a random car accident on his way home from work. Even though his life was short, Justin taught people what it meant to walk with God and lived a life that was worth following.

The prophet Micah wrote a great description of a godly life which Justin lived out on a daily basis. Micah 6:8 says:
“He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” Micah 6:8

Justin Sullivan was an exceptional athlete, an exceptional student and an exceptional competitor. Though these qualities enabled him to stand out, the thing that made Justin’s life worth following was his exceptional walk with Jesus Christ.

The target audience of this journal is athletes. Though others would benefit from this forty day experience, this journal is designed to capture the eye and the heart of the athlete. The contents will lead participants to embrace six disciplines that were observed in Justin’s life. The establishment of these disciplines will guide participants down the road to building a life that is worth following. This forty-day experience will not be easy or convenient. It will require thought, time and discipline but will most definitely result in supernatural benefits for all those who choose to walk this road.

This forty day journal is laid out over eight weeks with the intention of each participant spending five days a week significantly engaging the Lord. Though individuals could effectively go through this journal, it is the intention that individuals go through this experience with someone else so that there will be the benefits of discussion and accountability. My prayer is that God will use this book to impact groups like sports teams, FCA Huddle groups and community groups. In addition to this, I see the Lord using this book to help fathers disciple their sons and coaches impact their players.

Each journal comes with a bracelet made from the seam of a baseball modeled after a gift that Justin’s grandfather, Benny Bechtol gave to me following Justin’s death. This bracelet will serve as an accountability reminder to follow through with the eight week commitment.

The following is the breakdown of the journal.

o Twelve of the forty days will be spent studying the entire Sermon on the Mount.
o Five of the forty days will be spent walking through an exercise in prayer.
o Five of the forty days will be spent engaging in a meditation and journaling exercise.
o Six of the forty days will be spent in a section entitled, “Time with a Giant”. In this section, participants will walk through character lessons lived out by Justin.
o Seven of the forty days will be spent memorizing Ephesians 3:14-21.
o Five of the forty days will be spent learning to serve someone else in practical ways.

I am asking our church family to pray that the Lord would use this journal to make a real difference in the lives of other people. In addition to this, I am asking that each of you pray about utilizing this journal in your own life as well as in the life of someone who needs to deepen their walk with God. The journals should be available for sale some time in January.

Justin was an eighteen year old man whose everyday life made an unforgettable and undeniable contribution to the Kingdom of God. Unfortunately in our day, many people choose to count the days of their lives rather than making their days count. In only eighteen years Justin made his life count. His example and his writings will inspire you to use all your gifts for eternal trophies, rather than those which collect dust on a mantle and truly build a life that is worth following.