From sinner to SAINT :: A Story of Redemption

 
I hope you’ll check out the incredible story of God’s redemption (written by Ericka) below.

 

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This past 4th of July was a little different for us than ever
before. Instead of spending it with family, or at home in Michigan, we
were flown down to Georgia to meet some new friends.

 

Phil Williams
is a sports agent who lives in Peachtree City, GA with his beautiful
wife Meg and his incredible children, Hannah, Luke, Kyle, & Beka.
He heard about Rusty through some mutual AIM friends, and looked him up
online. After all – sports agents and former sports-casters are cut
from very similar cloth… especially if they not only love SPORTS, but
love the Lord.

 

The two immediately hit it off via email and phone call, and
before we knew it we were headed down to hang out for the weekend. Phil
wanted us to meet his family, and his very special ‘third son’… Anthony Hargrove.

 

You may know him as #69, the New Orleans SAINTS Defensive Tackle.

 

Anthony isn’t Phil’s blood, he’s actually one of his clients. He
doesn’t look like Phil’s other kids. His skin is a different color, his
arms are covered in tattoos, he’s 6 foot 3 and weighs 272 pounds. But
he’s FAMILY, through and through.

The Williams have been there for Tony in some of his roughest
times. His story is full of pain – his dad left when he was a small
child, his mom died of AIDS when he was 9. The rest of his life he was
bounced around from relative to relative, and NFL team to NFL team.
Eventually he found himself at his lowest point – out of money,
abandoned by his family, addicted to drugs and alcohol, and suspended
from his team. But Phil never gave up on Tony.

 

At the end of his rope, Tony found the God of redemption, the God of HOPE,
the God of second chances. And he started over with a new outlook on
life, and the desire to do something DIFFERENT with his NFL fame and
money this time around. Instead of getting all the girls, cars, and
clothes, he wants to change the world!

We heard Tony’s story that weekend, and watched as the video below was recorded. (Watch it to hear a first hand account of all he has been through. It’s worth your time!) We
heard about all the horrible things people said about him, and all of
his terrible transgressions. Every detail was unbelievable to me,
especially after watching him put together puzzles and cuddle with
Phil’s youngest daughter, Beka. He’s got a sparkle in his eyes that’s
unmistakable, a spirit that doesn’t quit, and a heart as BIG as he is! (which, let me tell you, is pretty big!)

 

 

 

Just a few days after the Super Bowl, Tony will be following that big heart all the way to Swaziland.
He’s been listening to God about giving back, and he wants to go GIVE
HOPE to the children in Africa. He understands what these kids are
going through – what it’s like to have your dad leave and your mom die
of AIDS. What it’s like to feel unloved and unwanted. But he also
understands what it’s like to LET GOD IN, and to find HOPE when all
seems lost. I can’t wait to see what God will do through Tony there!