April 7, 2023: After profitable a championship within the USHL, Ryan Johnson started to reside his whole life by means of Jesus Christ. He’ll proceed to take action tomorrow when the Gophers play for the nationwide championship.
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Tampa, FL – In his sales space after the Gophers beat the Boston School Terriers, Ryan Johnson mentioned he grew up listening to about God, however solely went to Easter on occasion on Sunday. He and his household had good values, however Johnson says he didn't have an actual relationship with God.
However that every one modified in 2019 when Johnson performed for the Sioux Falls Stampede. It was through the USHL playoffs that Johnson picked up his Bible and commenced studying it.
“I discovered this peace and pleasure within the phrase that I had by no means felt earlier than in my whole life,” Johnson informed Gopherhole. “God helps me by giving me items to play hockey. I felt my response to him serving to us win the championship that yr was to comply with God. I wish to lay down my life for you, God.”
However Johnson didn't purchase a Bible when he performed in Sioux Falls, he introduced one he obtained when he was simply 13 years outdated.
Rising up in California, Johnson had a buddy who came visiting usually. When he was 13, his buddy gave him a bible and mentioned she was praying for him.
Sitting in Sioux Falls, Johnson thought he was taking part in the very best hockey of his profession, which was through the NHL draft yr. When Johnson performed for Stamede, he considered Raina, who was his girlfriend.
“I had a buddy from Mexico, her identify was Raina,” Johnson mentioned. “After I was 13 years outdated, she gave me a Bible. I attempted studying it in Genesis however it didn't make any sense. However she mentioned she was praying for me. I believe it was the prayers and faithfulness of a Mexican woman who was so humble that basically confirmed me the love of Christ.
Johnson added: “She had a lot pleasure and peace. It's wonderful and it's like, I need this and I discovered precisely that.'
Ever since that realization, Johnson has picked up a Bible to learn the scriptures and say a couple of prayers earlier than each follow and recreation. Studying the Bible has grow to be his life and now his pre-match ritual.
Each Tuesday night time in Dinkytown, an organization known as Jesus Burgers stands exterior the College of Minnesota campus handy out burgers to college students strolling by. The mission of Jesus Burgers is for folks to know and expertise the love, energy, kindness, grace and preeminence of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit every time and wherever they’re.
The senior defender was launched to the same follow by a person named Steve who mentored him.
“I used to be a sheep with none management and a shepherd,” Johnson mentioned. “I've achieved one thing like this earlier than. I’ve informed folks about Jesus earlier than, by myself. I watched guys on YouTube do it and thought I may do it. Steve type of pushed me to make a plan.”
This plan included Ryan internet hosting some buddies and different Gopher sports activities athletes at his condominium for a Bible research and a few worship. Johnson and his buddies spend wherever from ten minutes to an hour worshiping God by singing music and reward, then exit into the condominium and knock on folks's doorways and converse the phrase of God.
“Our job and our duty is to evangelise Jesus to them, to evangelise the cross and the resurrection,” Johnson mentioned. “Then they’ve the power to imagine it and undergo it, they will inherit salvation.” The extra they go to see him, the extra they know him. That is the knowledge that offers you salvation to avoid wasting you out of your sins.”
Johnson added, “Even in our personal hearts there’s a lot darkness that wants sanctification, that wants assist from God, and that’s the work of the Spirit.”
All year long, Johnson appeared at press conferences and even simply in locker rooms carrying a shirt from one in every of his favourite Christian bands, Bethel Music. He did a terrific job of spreading the phrase. Which is a giant cause why he was nominated for the 2023 Hockey Humanitarian Award.
The Hockey Humanitarian Award is an award that must be seen as a real measure of an individual's value, not simply as an athlete, however as somebody who embodies values that deserve our recognition.
By means of all of it, Johnson nonetheless tries to get the whole Gopher crew concerned. A few of them will go to his condominium on Tuesdays for worship or any day of the week for Bible research. Among the Bible research are hosted by Invoice Butters, who used to play and coach for the Gophers.
Earlier than every recreation, a bunch of 10-15 gamers collect in entrance of the locker room and say prayers earlier than every recreation. Every participant prays in a circle whereas everybody listens.
It's one thing Johnson believes has introduced this crew collectively, pushing them to their limits daily and permitting them to be their finest each recreation.
“I believe as Christians we regularly go overboard or overanalyze like, Oh, am I doing it proper? Or we’re certain by legislation,” Johnson mentioned. “Jesus says no, I’ve made you free from the legislation. Enter into freedom within the forgiveness of sins and you’ll not be certain by it.”
Christianity just isn’t about following a listing of guidelines to realize acceptability and price. Following a bunch of guidelines or behavioral modifications just isn’t the gospel, however it’s a life empowered by the cross and resurrection of Jesus that drives the on a regular basis believer's life resulting in transformation.
“Christ has set us free. Don’t be topic to the transition into the yoke of slavery,” Johnson mentioned. “Then be free. Cease placing these chains on, simply let go, that's it. Simply give up.” Romans 10:4 – For Christ is the tip of the legislation and righteousness to everybody who believes.
“It’s he whom you reward; he’s your God who has achieved for you the nice and fantastic wonders that you’ve got seen with your personal eyes.” Deuteronomy 10:21 NIV.
