White wanted to be a basketball coach and majored in physical education in college. When he was working on his Master's, he felt the call to become a minister. He worked two years for the YMCA in Dayton, Ohio, before going to the seminary.
"All during my ministry, I found myself using basketball terms, referring to God as the coach, talking about the importance of a team and everyone doing their part for the team," White said. "In my last church we didn't have committees - we had teams, which is good because teams try to get something done, while committees mostly just meet. I know that basketball is the most popular sport in the world just now, with the possible exception of soccer. I felt if I could share ideas and concepts of basketball and relate them to the Christian life, that would help people understand the importance of God in their lives.
"That's why every chapter starts with basketball, and goes to the Christian life, rather than speaking about the Christian life first. I feel that many religious people turn off secular individuals because they come at them with religious talk from the beginning."
Writing this book once he retired seemed like the right thing to do for White since he always played basketball every day during his childhood and always was active in the church since his father was a minister. He didn't have time to write until his retirement and even then found writing the book - and getting it published - was not easy.
"I often thought while reading other authors that I could write something better than that. So I decided to give it a try," he said. "The concepts for this book have developed in my mind, most of them subconsciously, for 60 years or more."
Adv. - Check out the the Boyle County Fair (July 15-22) Web site
White originally wrote 45 chapters over a nine-month period. His publisher only wanted 15 chapters, so White had to pick the ones he liked the best and felt had the most beneficial message.
"I hope to reach secular people, and also to reach athletes, both girls and boys," White said. "This book purposely is not written with deep complicated theological statements, but shares practical ideas that will make a difference in people's lives in sports and in daily life, if they will follow them."
How to buy the book
White says the book can be ordered at most book stores for $14.95. Those who do not purchase the book at the Centre store Saturday can still obtain an autographed copy by contacting White at 436 SE Fourth Avenue, Melrose, Fla., 32666, or via e-mail at cnwbjw@alltel.net.
