https:\/\/risen.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/02-For-God-so-Loved-the-Word-3.mp3<\/a><\/audio>
\nFor God So Loved The World featuring Lucy Stimpson- Maynard from the album Precious recorded and produced by Ross Gill<\/p>\nWell, since my last blog not only have England beaten the Democratic Republic of Congo but in the most amazing match ever they also beat Mexico. Norway and Erling Haaland are next up on Saturday.
\nThis World Cup seems to have got everyone talking. The wonderful Bishop Jonathan of Portsmouth, who visited my church on Sunday, even referred to it in his sermon.
\nLast week I wrote about the DRC players praying before and after games- I also mentioned that there are a number of Christians in the England team. One, Marc Guehi could be seen on his knees praying after the Mexico game. Here are some facts about him taken from Wikipedia.
\nAddji Keaninkin Marc-Israel Gu\u00e9hi is a professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for Premier League club Manchester City and the England national team.
\nGu\u00e9hi came through the youth system at Chelsea and made his first-team debut in 2019 before spending a season and a half on loan at Swansea City. He joined Crystal Palace in 2021 for \u00a318 million, becoming the club’s third most expensive signing. He went on to make over 180 appearances for the club; appointed club captain in 2024, he led them to win both the FA Cup and Community Shield in 2025.
\nMarc was born on 13 July 2000 in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, and moved with his family to Lewisham, London, England, at the age of one. He attended St George’s Church of England School in Gravesend, Kent. His father was a minister of a local church, meaning his childhood often focused on religion and education over football.] He began playing in the Cray Wanderers youth system aged six and was coached by a scout from Premier League club Chelsea. After two years with the non-League club, he signed for Chelsea and progressed through the academy. He was then signed by Crystal Palace before moving in January 2026, to Manchester City
\nGu\u00e9hi has been described as being defined by his Christian faith and has spoken about how “God first” was the rule in his household. Some of those close to him have described him as “extremely humble” and “low maintenance”. As of August 2025, he still lived at home with his parents and three younger sisters.
\nIn December 2024, the Football Association indicated that they would contact Gu\u00e9hi to remind him religious messaging is banned from equipment, after he played with “I love Jesus” handwritten over the rainbow-coloured captain’s armband as part of Stonewall’s Rainbow Laces campaign to support LGBTQ+ issues. In spite of the warning, Gu\u00e9hi further risked FA charges by writing “Jesus loves you” over his rainbow armband in Palace’s following game.
\nMarc will have to be at his very best to keep his team mate, Erling Haaland from scoring on Saturday. Either way I am sure he will be on his knees, praying at the end of the game. <\/p>\n
Quote of the Week<\/strong><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/risen.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/Guehi.png\")
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![\"\"](\"https:\/\/risen.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/marc-guehi-2.webp\")
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