Victory Beyond the Cup w/ Jesse Bradley

This episode dives into the powerful intersection of sports and faith through the life of Bukayo Saka, showing how true legacy is shaped not by trophies but by character, Scripture, and the way we make others feel. From cherishing the Bible his father gave him to living out his faith boldly in a secular world, Saka’s nightly rhythms of reading, memorizing, and applying God’s Word reveal a 24/7 wal...

When you look at Messi’s life, it’s clear that influence isn’t just for the famous—God gives every one of us gifts, opportunities, and moments to point back to Him. Even at the height of global success, Messi keeps directing the spotlight upward, acknowledging that every talent, breath, and blessing comes from God’s grace. His humility is a reminder that no matter where we stand, we can choose to...

Alisson’s story is a great reminder that faith shapes the way we show up—not just on a field, but in everyday life. As one of the world’s top goalkeepers, he leans on Scripture as his true playbook, carrying it with him, reading it daily, and letting God’s wisdom guide how he trains, works, loves, and leads. When we root ourselves in God’s Word, we find the courage, clarity, and joy to live for Je...

Jeremy Doku’s story feels surprisingly down‑to‑earth for someone playing on one of the biggest stages in the world, because at the core, he’s just a guy trying to follow Jesus with his whole life.  Whether he’s teaching Scripture online or choosing faith and family over the spotlight, he shows what it looks like to live with courage, purpose, and a God‑centered identity that shines far brighter th...

Baptism isn’t a ritual—it’s a joyful, public way of declaring, “I belong to Jesus,” rooted in grace and the sacrifice of Christ's life on the cross and resurrection.   From Jesse's journey from atheism to faith and Roberto Firmino’s powerful baptism story, we continue to see how God keeps drawing people into bold, beautiful expressions of faith all over the world. Listen to more Victory Beyond the...

While chasing wins, training hard, and striving for excellence matters, our true goal is to glorify God, and love the people He’s placed around us.  Manchester City’s Antoine shares how his walk with Jesus shapes every victory and every setback, seeing his talent as a gift and every moment on the field as worship. When we abide in Christ, even our biggest dreams fall into place with eternal purpos...

When your identity is tied to performance, life can feel like a constant scoreboard — one win away from pride and one setback away from spiraling. But stories like Dewan Jones’s remind us that anchoring ourselves in Christ steadies the heart in ways trophies, titles, and perfect seasons never can. When success, injury, or disappointment shake everything else, Scripture roots us in a God who turns...

In a world overflowing with shifting opinions and “my truth” narratives, this is a grounding reminder that real freedom comes from anchoring our lives to the unchanging truth of God’s Word. Jesse contrasts temporary voices with the reliability of Scripture, and invites you to build a life shaped by biblical truth rather than emotion or culture. It’s a relatable call to return to the Bible as our c...

Real peace isn’t found in trophies or titles but in Jesus, the Prince of Peace who offers wholeness we could never earn on our own. Teal Bunbury’s journey shows how even at the height of athletic success, the heart still longs for the kind of steady, soul-deep peace that only comes from knowing Christ personally. It’s a relatable picture of how choosing to abide in Jesus can quiet fear, reshape id...

Tanner Tessmann’s story is a reminder that faith isn’t something we tuck away for Sundays—it’s a daily anchor that steadies us no matter where life or our careers take us. As he navigates different countries, teams, and pressures, his journey shows how abiding in Christ keeps our identity rooted and our integrity intact. It’s a relatable picture of what it looks like to shine as the light of the w...

Faith has a way of stepping onto the field when life knocks the wind out of us, reminding us that reliance on God is not a crisis‑response strategy but a lifelong posture. As stories like Christian Eriksen’s cardiac collapse and my own heart‑related career ending experience reveal, moments of suffering expose our limits and invite a deeper dependence on the One who holds every heartbeat. In that v...

Mark McKenzie’s testimony takes center stage in this episode, offering a raw and relatable picture of what surrender really looks like in the life of a believer. His journey, from elite soccer success to a breaking point alone in his room, shows how God meets us when our strength runs out and reshapes our identity from the inside out. There is power in sharing our stories, and God uses both triump...

Just like a soccer team thrives when every player leans into their unique role, life opens up in powerful ways when we discover and use the gifts God has placed in us. We’re invited to bring our abilities, passions, and spiritual gifts together for a purpose bigger than ourselves, building unity, strengthening others, and living out a faith that’s active, joyful, and deeply connected. Listen to mo...

High‑pressure moments, whether in sports or everyday life, tend to reveal the kind of preparation we’ve been building in the background. Physical training, emotional resilience, and spiritual dependence on God work together to steady us with courage, humility, and confidence that lasts beyond any single victory. Listen to more Victory Beyond the Cup episodes:  https://purposely.com/podcasts/victor...

Communication can make or break a team, on the field and in everyday relationships, and learning to speak with clarity, confidence, and care changes everything. Discover the deeper practice of communicating with God and others, and find how intentional listening, honest sharing, and prayer can strengthen every part of life. Listen to more Victory Beyond the Cup episodes:  https://purposely.com/pod...

The World Cup has a way of pulling us in...jerseys on our backs, nations on our minds, and teams fighting for something bigger than themselves. But as much as we love watching a coach choose a roster and shape a team, Jesus has been doing that far longer, inviting people to walk with Him, grow t ogether, and be sent out with purpose. Who we “team up” with spiritually shapes our future, our familie...

There’s nothing quite like the home‑field advantage, whether it’s a stadium full of cheering fans or the familiar comfort of walking through your own front door. In the same way athletes thrive when they’re supported and surrounded, our faith grows strongest when our homes become places where God is welcomed, honored, and experienced daily. Take a look at the “spiritual temperature” of your home a...

We all know what it’s like to chase improvement—whether it’s on a field, in a classroom, or just trying to get through the week without falling apart. Just like an athlete trains with intention, we can form spiritual habits that actually strengthen us. It starts with something as simple—and powerful—as opening the Bible and letting God speak into our everyday moments. Listen to more Victory Beyond...

The World Cup brings the world together, but Victory Beyond the Cup takes that and turns it into something even bigger. This global outreach is using the excitement of 104 matches to spark conversations about hope, faith, and the life‑changing love of Jesus; from living rooms hosting watch parties to churches mobilizing entire communities. With daily devotions, multicultural connection, and a mess...

When my soccer career came crashing down after a sudden illness in Africa, I thought I’d lost everything that made me… me. For years, my identity was built on performance — wins, grades, achievements, the next big goal — until God used my lowest moment to show me a better way. It became all about moving from pressure to peace, from earning to receiving, and how discovering my identity in Jesus bro...

Follow Victory Beyond the Cup with Jesse Bradley to get new episodes as they're released. About the show: God is the source of all victories. The world’s biggest sporting event is coming—and God is on the move. This summer, as millions gather for the global tournament across North America, Jesus is changing lives. In this podcast, Jesse Bradley—former pro soccer player, pastor, and chaplain to the...