Sports columnist and preacher David White, visited FC to speak at chapel, Sept. 18. He spent his whole life aspiring to become a sports writer, which he finally achieved with his highlight being a writer covering the XLIV Super Bowl. After five years he left his NFL beat to become something that was not originally a part of his plan.

White grew up in Selma, CA, and attended Selma High School. There, he was a part of the Clarion newspaper. The two activities which he loved were writing and sports. This strange combination lead him into the field of sports writing for his high school newspaper.

While in high school he achieved a major award in the San Joaquin Valley for his skills as a sports writer. In 1991, White took first place in the San Joaquin Scholastic Press Association Sports Writing Competition. The SJVPA contest is the same competition The Feather competed in when it was a print edition.

After high school, White attended Fresno State where he met his future wife. In order for him to date her, she required him to be a Christian and attend church.

“It was definitely worth going to church in order to date her,” White said. “Yet God found me, even through my bad intentions and pushed upon my heart to drop out of Fresno State and in turn join the Fresno Bee for a full time position covering sports.”

During the next 12 years, David married his wife Maria, and continued on in his job writing for the Fresno Bee. Little did he know that things were about to drastically change.

I remember sitting next to the New York Times Judy Battista and the Legendary Miami Herald writer Edwin Pope up in the press box and I just realized how far God had brought me. I couldn’t have done this on my own even if I tried. In that moment I felt like I could quit tomorrow, go be a missionary in Nigeria, and we are square, I am satisfied with what I have been given. –David White.

“I got a call one day from a man from the San Francisco Chronicle,” White said. “He offered me a job writing as the sports writer. I could barely believe what he said. Instead of an immediate response, I asked to be allowed several days of prayer to see what God had to say about it.”

Much to White’s horror, he heard nothing from God, and to his even greater dislike, he declined the Chronicle’s offer. At the time it was one of the hardest things he had done, but he knew he made the right decision. About a month later he received another call from the Chronicle, asking if he would take the same job with an added salary and bonus. This time, God answered and White joyfully made his way up state to work his dream job, covering sports for the San Francisco Chronicle.

For the next five years, David covered Super Bowls, the San Francisco 49ers, the Oakland Raiders, his favorite teams, baseball and other miscellaneous sports. By the time he covered the Superbowl, White was content with what God had blessed him with and was willing to do whatever God’s future demands might be.

“I remember sitting next to the New York Times Judy Battista and the Legendary Miami Herald writer Edwin Pope up in the press box and I just realized how far God had brought me,” White said. “I couldn’t have done this on my own even if I tried. In that moment I felt like I could quit tomorrow, go be a missionary in Nigeria, and we are square, I am satisfied with what I have been given.”

The environment in the stadium was extraordinary and the chance to be with so many famous people was life fulfilling to White.

“Covering the Super Bowl was a complete Zoo with so many reporters all over the place, ” White said. “I will always remember when I was walking around with Jerry Rice; just me and him, it was soon after he won the Hall of Fame. It was an incredible experience.”

By the end of those five years, God called White to be the Senior pastor at the Porterville Church of God. Like before, he prayed and God answered. White is currently the Senior pastor of the church in Porterville, the State Youth and Discipleship Director at California/Nevada Church of God State Office and lastly the Sunday sports columnist for the Fresno Bee.

White came to FC with his life story and the message from James 1:22: “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” Upon this passage he spoke of his life and how he endeavored to live at all times like this verse. He was a doer by listening to God, and waiting for what his commands were, listening and doing.

White has achieved a great deal, in the short years he has been on the earth. God fulfilled his desires of writing in a big time newspaper, and at the same time taught him to wait upon the Lord in all circumstances. Now God has lead him to be a Pastor and the director of discipleship in California and Nevada, all without finishing college, yet all the while following Gods narrow path.

White left the students with several Bible teachings to walk away with, but what was impressed upon the student body above all else was that, Gods path is something which we cannot even imagine, if only us as his doers and listeners would let him lead us. Then we can truly appreciate His infinite and inconceivable wisdom which he longs to guide us with.

For more features, read Sept. 19 article, Teacher seeks to fufill vision, recieves new job

Follow The Feather via Twitter: @thefeather. This writer can be reached via Twitter: @J0sh_Carter.