Mike Newlin

Former NBA star Mike Newlin talks with Wayne Shepherd about his basketball career and his long commitment to his relationship with Jesus Christ.  (click for more)Background & Basketball CareerMike Newlin was a standout NBA guard, scoring over 12,000 points.Drafted by the San Diego Rockets, who became the Houston Rockets one week later.Known for his discipline—trained 6–8 hours a day in high school.Believes time, not talent, is the key to success.Described his entrance into the NBA as the "easiest thing" he'd ever done because it was the logical result of consistent hard work.Conversion to ChristianityBecame a Christian at age 27, just before an NBA season.Was at the peak of his career, considered a top guard in the league.Transition was costly: after his conversion, a coach benched him for three years, claiming he didn't trust believers.Struggled emotionally and spiritually with the fallout—it took 40 years to fully process the pain of that loss.Spiritual Growth & Life After NBAStudied Bible doctrine daily for nearly 50 years.Learned Greek, Hebrew, and Latin; currently still in seminary.Sees life as preparation for the Judgment Seat of Christ.Believes salvation is by grace through faith alone, distinguishing it from his Catholic upbringing.Core BeliefsOne moment of faith—even the equivalent of a "quark" (billionth of a billionth of a grain of sand)—can determine one's eternal destiny.Feels called to write as a ministry using his background as a hook to reach others.Stresses the importance of nibbling at the Word of God daily.Encourages others to pursue God's plan actively: “Today is what matters.”Life LessonsSuffered in silence under benching but later wished he had confronted the situation more maturely.Believes God tests us in the area we care most about.Thinks Christianity shouldn't make us passive—he had to learn to balance faith and human relationship dynamics.Emphasizes personal study of Scripture over relying on others for spiritual growth.Send your support for FIRST PERSON to the Far East Broadcasting Company:FEBC National Processing Center Far East Broadcasting CompanyP.O. Box 6020 Albert Lea, MN 56007Please mention FIRST PERSON when you give. Thank you!