Marc Nave hopes his faith can have an impact on kids. (Vicky Graff Photo)
Before Kentucky football opened its preseason camp, freshman offensive lineman Marc Nave of Toledo was baptized at Southland Christian Church in Lexington.
“I had been thinking about it for a very long time and from just being in a Christian faith for a very long time on growing up, this is always something that I thought about but I didn’t really take action on,” said Nave. “So as I got older and started to grow stronger in my faith, I felt like I just wanted to take that next step.
“The church here, they did an amazing job setting me up with good people to help me get connected. It was an amazing experience. I am just blessed.”
The 6-6, 335-pound Nave got help from Aaron Hogue, the multi area director for Central Kentucky Fellowship of Christian Athletes.
“He got me hooked up. I can’t thank him enough for what he did for me,” Nave said
Nave shared news about his baptism on social media and felt it was important to do so.
“Jesus wants us to share the Gospel as much as we can and bring as many people close to God as we can. I am blessed as a Kentucky football player to have a platform to be able to do that,” he said. “I hope it is a message that gets to a lot of kids. Eternal life with Jesus Christ in heaven is the main goal. Everything in this world is going to end at some point so you need that bond with Jesus for the afterlife. I hope people got that message from me.”
Nave chose Kentucky over Auburn, Georgia, Ohio State and others as a three-star recruit. He did not give up a sack or quarterback pressure his senior season when Central Catholic went 16-0 to win its second straight state title. He was also on the basketball and track teams and excelled in the classroom to become a National Honor Society member.
Kentucky recruiting coordinator Vince Marrow noted when Nave signed with Kentucky that he was a “name to remember” because of his potential.
“I got put in a position with a lot of really good people. Coach (Eric) Wolford coming back to coach the offensive line here to go with a lot of other good coaches here,” Nave said. “They will be able to put me in the best position to maximize my ability so I feel like right now I’m in the best spot that I can be in. I got great coaches and teammates around me so the main thing right now is just putting the work in.”
If this turns out to be a redshirt season while he learns from veteran offensive linemen, he’s fine with that. He says if he’s redshirted that will not impact his work mentality.
“The goal is just to get better. Right? You can learn and pick up things from each and every one on this team. Those guys in the (offensive line) room with me are really good, so I’m thankful to be in a room like that,” he said.
3 Responses
Baptism is very significant declaration to the universe, to the Lord Jesus, to his friends, to the good angels and to the devil &!fallen angels that he has chosen to “cross the River” (via baptism as a symbol) to leave any and all ungodly things behind as he pursues the goal ("I pursue toward the goal for the prize to which God in Christ Jesus has called me upward." – Philippians 3:14) Recovery Version
This is much greater in eternity than the games played. Although I get overly excited wanted my Cats to win, this act by a young man is a sober reminder of what Carrie’s eternal weight in our lives.
May the Lord Jesus keep Marc Nave in his watch over the nations!
Thanks, Larry for boldly and graciously sharing such a marvelous testimony on VV.
I agree. Seek you first the kingdom of God. All of BBN had better be praying for a better Kentucky performance against Georgia. A win will take nothing less than a miracle. Frankly, I am just hoping it will be respectable…God’s will be done.
It’s a delicate balance sometimes between our exuberance for UK sports without burdening our seeking first the Kingdom of God, whereby all else will be taken care of.
A forfeit (everyone calls in sick since they will probably feel ill knowing what they will face when UGA sets foot on the field) may be the best idea.
Through the years, there are games where UK FB would be better off to forfeit. Use that weekend to better prepare for the next opponent instead of getting beat mentally AND physically, losing some to injury.