A former college All-American brings his ministry to basketball camp in Wesley Chapel

WESLEY CHAPEL — On a hot day after a round of basketball, nothing tastes better than a bottle of cold water or Gatorade.

With that in mind, Gian Paul Gonzalez — a 2006 NCAA All-American who finished third in the nation in scoring during his senior season at Montclair (N.J.) State College — hands out free refreshments at neighborhood courts and recruits players for another round: God's game plan.

Next week Gonzalez and his 4-One ministry will host a sports camp and open court night at Wesley Chapel District Park for a couple of hours of playing and praying.

The sports camp runs from 9 to 11 a.m. Aug. 3-7. Children entering grades 1-5 can choose among basketball, soccer and cheerleading; the kids also will listen to music, hear Bible lessons and sports stories and eat snacks. Advance registration is required; sign up at www.exploregrace.com.

The open court event from 7 to 9:30 p.m. Aug. 6 is for teens only. They will participate in pickup games and a 3-point shootout; the best players will be picked for an All-Star game. No registration is required, and spectators are welcome.

Jeff Olsen, pastor of Grace Community of Wesley Chapel, is thrilled that Gonzalez and his ministry are returning for a second year.

"We were encouraged last summer (with the camps) and have been in touch will him," said Olsen. "He has a great testimony and his interaction with the kids is wonderful."

Olsen said there was a tremendous response to the sports and the Gospel at last year's camp.

"When he invited them to pray it was amazing," said Olsen, 33. "Gian said last year's camp was the first annual, so I guess this is the second annual one."

Gonzalez chose his ministry over a pro basketball career two years ago. Although he had an agent vying for a contract, Gonzalez said, he decided to minister full time when he found out a professional basketball career would restrict his community service.

"I wanted to use my talent when I had the ability and the time," Gonzalez said in a telephone interview last week from his home in New Jersey.

At age 16, Gonzalez made Jesus the primary focus of his life. He was homeschooled, but after moving and discovering basketball at a local camp, he decided to attend a public high school so he could play on the team.

"I felt like I was a missionary to the school, as it was located in a rough part of town," the 6-foot-6 Gonzalez said. "The decision was tough, but I felt like I was to be a light."

During his junior year of college, he started the 4-One ministry and visited jails to set up games with the inmates and guards. "We also shared the Gospel," he said.

Now his ministry has nine athletes and a few interns committed to preaching. The roster includes Carlos Perez, who played wide receiver at the University of Florida and was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in 2004.

Grace Community of Wesley Chapel is paying for Gonzalez's travel expenses, but the athlete donates his time.