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April 07, 2026
American Christianity and Big-Time Sports
When you watch a sports game, you see players give very clear displays of faith. How did religion become so entwined with big-time sports in America? On this edition of Equipped with Chris Brooks, Paul Putz will tell the story of how this thriving religious subculture came to be. Whether you’re a sports fan or not, don’t miss the next Equipped.
Featured resource:
The Spirit of the Game: American Christianity and Big-Time Sports by Paul Putz
April thank you gift:
Equipped for Life: A 30-Day Devotional for Living with Courage and Compassion by Chris Brooks
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IN THIS EPISODE
Paul Putz
Paul Emory Putz is Assistant Director of Truett Seminary's Faith & Sports Institute at Baylor University. He specializes in the study of sports, Christianity, and American culture. His writing and research has been featured in Christianity Today, Slate, and Religion & Politics, and he has been interviewed as an expert on sports and Christianity by the New York Times, Sports Illustrated, Associated Press, National Public Radio, and more.
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Chris Brooks
Chris Brooks is the senior pastor of Woodside Bible Church, a multisite congregation across the Detroit metropolitan area. Chris served for 20 years as the senior pastor of Evangel Ministries, a thriving 1,600-member church in the heart of Detroit. He also served as the campus dean of Moody Theological Seminary in Plymouth, Michigan. A popular Detroit radio host since 2005, Chris is the author of Kingdom Dreaming and Urban Apologetics. He graduated from Michigan State University with a BA in Finance, completed his MA in Christian Apologetics at Biola University, and graduated from the Oxford Centre for Christian Apologetics. He is currently pursuing a Doctor of Ministry degree at Asbury Theological Seminary. He and his wife, Yodit, are the proud parents of six children: Christopher, Zewditu, Cameron, Judah, Sophia, and Christyana.
Equipped with Chris Brooks
Equipped with Chris Brooks encourages you to grow spiritually, think critically, and live compassionately in your community. Interact with Chris as he empowers you to live out the gospel in a rapidly changing culture. This live, one-hour program, airing weekdays at noon CT, features special guests and welcomes your participation by calling in and by plugging in through social media.