Bathe Me In Your Light featuring Lucy Stimpson-Maynard from the album I Look Up To The Heavens recorded and produced by John Hodgkinson

Of course, there are justified concerns about the World Cup being held in Qatar, but today’s blog focuses on a young and successful professional footballer who seems to be portraying a different image to that often associated with his peers. The following is taken from an article written by Emma Fowler, who is the assistant editor for Premier Christianity.
At Euro 2020, the then-19-year-old Bukayo Saka became the youngest Englishman to ever start a match at the semi-final stage or later of a major tournament. Now 21, he has already put two goals past Iran in England’s opening World Cup match. But as he faces up to the pressure of this, his first world cup, what part will his faith play in helping him navigate his ever-growing fame and the pressures that come with it?
Saka grew up in West London and was raised in a Christian home. He still lives with his parents and brother, and says his family regularly pray for his success. He attended The Edward Betham Church of England Primary School, which has a strong Christian ethos.
In 2020, as part of a Year Five topic ‘Do fame and Christian faith go together?’ Saka wrote to pupils at his old school about the role that faith has played in his life. He said: “I grew up in a Christian family who believe strongly in God. This always made me curious to get to know God more and I have done so by reading my Bible a lot and going to church a lot over the years. My faith is constantly being exercised when I’m put in different situations or I play in big football matches such as my England debut. “I hold onto God’s promises such as the scripture ‘Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours’. So before every game I ask God to help me play well, help my team and try to score a goal or assist a goal and he answers my prayers so this is why I point to the sky to thank him.”
Speaking to Premier Christianity, head teacher Caroline Chamberlain told us that Saka was a “polite, modest and impressive young man” who was conscientious at school and has not been changed by fame. She said that pupils at the school were inspired by Saka’s words because he “has shown that a strong faith is powerful in helping you to achieve in whatever field you work in.”
Saka is one of the new generation of English football stars, praised for their decency, work ethic and talent. Like teammates Marcus Rashford and Raheem Stirling – he has a faith in God that seems to have a positive impact both on and off the pitch. And people are noticing. An article for the Evening Standard comments on the new social consciousness of the young team, many of whom are Christians.
It is something that Chamberlain says is one of the many benefits of a faith-based education. It “gives children far more than just a moral grounding,” she says, providing “pupils with the inspiration, rooted in the biblical truth that all people and all living things are valued by God, to challenge injustice wherever they see it – be it environmental, racial or any form of inequality.” With Christian footballers such as Marcus Rashford more likely to be found making headlines for campaigning on food poverty than brawling in bars, she may be onto something.
The school motto at Edward Betham is 1 Corinthians 13:13: “Faith, hope, and love; these three things will last forever, and the greatest of these is love.” The school says it aims to put “God’s love at the heart of all we do… Rooted in Christian hope, pupils grow academically and, in their faith, equipped to live full and happy lives and care for the people and the world around them.”
Chamberlain adds that Saka once said he hoped he would continue to make her and the children of Edward Betham School proud. The message she has for her ex-student is clear: “You certainly do – your achievements are amazing. Keep giving it your all!”

Quote of the week