Team C4C TestimoniesSample

The old has gone

My father grew up in a small town and fortunately within walking distance of a pool room and a basketball court. So that's what he did and would eventually teach me to do. Sports were something that we could share to keep us close. While pool wasn't my primary obsession in my youth, I would always come back to it – even if I could never beat my old man.

I had just accomplished the most difficult feat of my life at the time. I had graduated Basic Military Training and was given permission to leave base and spend time with my family. Where's the first place we went? You guessed it. A place to play some pool and catch up.

After my military service, I decided to go to college. My college roommates and I decided to go blow off some steam at a local pool hall. It was then that the local pool league owner noticed me playing and invited me to join. I wasn't even aware pool leagues existed! I was thrilled to have this opportunity to be on a team with others that would help to improve my game. Keeping up with expenses is difficult as a college student, however. Once the league owner noticed that I hadn't been showing up to play regularly, he reached out and eventually gave me a job helping to manage the league.

Soon I was graduating. Time to find a job. Wouldn't you know it, the league owner connects me with another pool player that works in the field in which I was studying. He would eventually become my new boss! I would also come to meet another man while hosting a tournament for the league. This pool playing pastor and I became fast friends and I started asking him questions as we took our turn at the table. I joined a Bible study with him and as quick as we became friends, I came to know and love Jesus.

2 Corinthians 5:17 (NIV) says “If anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!”

Jesus used pool to influence me throughout my life. He gave me a stronger relationship with my father. He helped me to stay financially stable through college. He helped me start my career. Jesus helped me find the friends to bring me back to Him. Finally, He called on me to join this ministry, this movement, Cues4Christ, that gives me the opportunity to serve and hopefully help someone else come to know Him. And if you were wondering, yes, I can finally beat my father in pool!

Allen Walters