The Phoenix Suns have reached the finals of the NBA playoffs for the first time in nearly three decades. Many credit the leadership of Monty Williams, their Christian head coach.
“The essence of my coaching is to serve,” Williams said after his team’s last game.
“As a believer in Christ, that’s what I’m here for. And I tell them all the time, `if I get on you, I’m not calling you out — I’m calling you up. You have potential, and I have to work my tail off to help you reach that potential.”
His wife of 20 plus years, Ingrid Williams, was killed in an automobile accident in 2016. The 44 year-old was hit head-on by a car that had swerved over the center divider. Ingrid had a strong faith and shared five children with Monty. His eulogy was a powerful display of faith in the face of grief and loss, as he calmly shared the hope they both have in Christ and urged people to focus on what’s important in life: the gospel.
He also urged people to pray for the family of those in the other car, and said he held no ill will toward them. Williams also said we can’t serve Christ if we don’t have a heart of forgiveness. He said these words despite knowing the driver of the other vehicle was under the influence of meth at the time. Three of his young children also were in the car but survived.
“Psalm 73:1 says God is good,” he said. “I John 4:16 says, God is love. During times like these, it’s easy to forget that… because what we’ve gone through is pretty tough, and it’s hard, and we want an answer. But we don’t always get that answer when we want it. And we can’t lose sight of the fact that God loves us.”
–Alan Goforth | Metro Voice
