What comes to mind when you think of a hero? Hollywood star? Successful entrepreneur? Professional athlete? Maybe Superman? Rarely is the guy next door viewed as a hero. Derwin Gray is about to change that and how the world defines heroism.
In his book, Hero: Unleashing God's Power in a Man's Heart, former NFL team captain, pastor, and YouTube sensation as the Evangelism Linebacker, Derwin Gray calls men and women to live heroic lives by allowing God to reign and rule in their hearts.
Gray asserts that men and women are made to be heroes. Why is it, then, that many men don't live like it? Often, the pressures of staying afloat in a paycheck-to-paycheck existence eclipse any acts of boldness and valor, relegating heroism to action movies and fantasy worlds. Until now.
More About Hero
In Hero, Gray combines teaching points gleaned from his childhood on the wrong side of the San Antonio tracks to his life now as pastor, speaker, author, husband, father and friend with the truth of Scripture to inspire men to realize the heroism God intends them to exhibit. Men of all ages will be challenged by Hero, which also recounts Gray's time in the NFL and how that dream ended.
In Hero, men and women will relate to topics that Gray covers like: Getting to know the great Hero, living with passion and integrity, leaving a legacy for the people in your life, and embracing the hero within. Written in three sections, Hero challenges readers to look at the upward journey, the inward journey, and the outward journey. Gray's wife, Vicki, also brings her perspective to Hero with insightful notes included throughout the book. Hero is great for individual or group study and each chapter ends with an application section focusing on the head, the heart and the hands, giving men a plan of action for becoming the hero God made them to be.
As a Fire Fighter, I can honestly say I had no idea what being a Hero really meant, until I read this book! It will change your life. God works in many ways, and I believe he worked through Derwin to relay his message and love through this book.
- J. Tack
Derwin Gray not only writes this heroic message - he lives it! For over ten years I have watched his authentic life and passionate Biblical teaching infuse Spiritual courage into the hearts of men who had grown numb in a culture that is filled with disappointment.
- Renee Swope
Best Selling Author, Radio Host and Executive Director of Proverbs of 31 Ministries
Hero is like a shot of adrenaline. It'll get you fired up to step up and assume your God-given responsibilities and opportunities as a man.
- Mark Batterson
Lead Pastor, National Community Church, Washington, D.C.
About Derwin L. Gray
Derwin L. Gray is the Founding and Lead Pastor of Transformation Church, a multi-ethnic, multi-generational, mission-shaped community that focuses on loving God completely (Upward), ourselves correctly (Inward), and our neighbors compassionately (Outward) in Indian Land, South Carolina, just south of Charlotte, North Carolina. Transformation Church was named the 2nd fastest growing church by percentage and the 14th fastest growing church by number of participants in America in 2010, according to Outreach magazine. Derwin and his wife Vicki have been married for 19 years and have two children, Presley and Jeremiah.
After graduating from Brigham Young University, Derwin played professional football in the NFL for five years with the Indianapolis Colts (1993-1997) and one year with the Carolina Panthers (1998). During that time, he and Vicki began their journey with Christ and experienced God's faithfulness and direction as He moved their hearts to know Him and make Him known. Click here to read more about how Derwin went from playing football to pastoring a church and who the "naked preacher" is. Derwin went on to graduate magna cum laude from Southern Evangelical Seminary with a Master of Divinity (M.Div.) degree with a concentration in apologetics. He was and continues to be mentored by renowned theologian and philosopher Dr. Norman Geisler.
In addition to his role at Transformation Church, Pastor Derwin speaks at conferences nationwide through One Heart at a Time Ministries. He is the author of Hero: Unleashing God's Power in a Man's Heart, published in 2010, and is recognized by many as the "Evangelism Linebacker." Derwin also regularly posts strategic thoughts about Gospel-centered living and transformative leadership on his blog, Just Marinating.