Olympic bobsledder John Napier

WHISTLER, British Columbia, Canada — John Napier, bobsled pilot on the United States Olympic Team, is a Southern Baptist. He is a growing Christian and was baptized last fall by Pastor Derek Spain in First Baptist Church of Lake Placid, New York.

Spain was former pastor of the student ministry at Hebron Baptist Church in Dacula.

Napier began the sport of bobsled in 1994, following in the steps of his father, Bill Napier, who was a bobsled driver from the 1960s through the 1980s. Napier’s mom, Betsy, also drove bobsleds with her husband, before handing the D-rings over to her son in the junior Bobsled Program.

Between 2004 and 2006 Napier dominated the America’s Cup circuit, winning the overall America’s Cup title twice in the 4-man and once in the 2-man competition.

He continued to climb in international rankings racing on the Europa Cup circuit during the 2006-2007 season and the World Cup circuit during the 2007-2008 and 2008-2009 seasons. Napier is the reigning 2009 National Champion in 2-man.

The U.S. Bobsled and Skeleton Federation (USBSF) announced it’s 2010 Winter Olympic Games nominations for men’s bobsled from St. Moritz, Switzerland on Jan. 17. USBSF Chief Executive Officer Darrin Steele stated, “We had a very difficult decision to make regarding our men’s Olympic team because of the depth of our push athletes.

“In the end we went with the teams that pushed together today. You can’t argue with the results because [Stephen] Holcomb’s team is ranked first in the world, Napier’s team is ranked second in the world, and [Mike] Kohn’s team finished sixth in today’s World Cup event to secure his Olympic qualification. We are very excited about this Olympic team in all disciplines.”

The 23-year-old Napier is a muscular 6’3” athlete who weighs 220 pounds and calls Schenectady, New York his home. He now lives in Lake Placid, the training site for the U.S. Bobsled team.

Napier explained, “The Adirondack region is a great place to visit, but an even greater place to live. My mother and I enjoy Lake Placid not only because of the Olympic training facilities, but also because of the small town atmosphere and close connection to wildlife. I am a hunter as well as a boater in the summertime. I am always looking for a new adventure, whether it’s cliff jumping or riding my Suzuki JSX motorcycle.

“However,” Napier adds, “training with my fellow bobsledders is pretty much a full-time commitment. It requires a great deal of my time.”

The Olympic motto is Citius, Altius, Fortius, or faster, higher, stronger. These words have inspired and motivated Olympic athletes throughout the years. This is a call to excellence. It is a call to scale heights, broaden horizons, beat the clock, and better the best.

In an effort to live up to the Olympic motto Napier submits to a rigorous physical regimen. During the World Cup and Olympic seasons his team slides six days a week, including four days of training and two days of racing with both the 2man and 4man competitions.

During the off-season Napier’s training consists of weight lifting and running six days a week. “We generally train for strength and speed so we can accelerate the sled off the top of the hill at a maximum velocity,” Napier reports. “During the season our workouts differ because of the time spent racing and training at the track. During the season I lift only about two days a week and sprint twice a week.”

Napier is a relatively young Christian, but he is serious about his faith. He has testified, “I always defined myself to others as religious. All of my life I have believed in God. The problem is I did not follow his ways.

“While growing up in Schenectady I did a number of athletic activities: BMX, soccer, karate, basketball, baseball, riding dirt bikes, and of course, bobsled. Although these sports occupied a lot of my time I still managed to get in trouble.

“Through my teenage years I got involved in some nasty activities. I drank, did drugs, and I was beaten up, robbed, and even shot at because of my behaviors. If I had continued down that road, I was sure to end up in jail, or even dead.

“In my middle teens I started to excel in the sport of bobsled. My father, who had competed in the sport, got me into it at the age of eight. I looked up to my father as a great bobsledder, as my best friend, and coach. We spent many hours sitting and chatting about bobsled and life.

“When I was 16 he was diagnosed with kidney cancer. After a two-year struggle with this disease he passed away. I remember the day and even the moment it happened like it was yesterday.

“I was blessed that my father – three months prior to his death – was able to see my very first World Cup bobsled race. I raced in the four-man bobsled that week and placed 15th in my first race. He was standing at the finish line, cheering me on and telling me what a great job I did. It was a proud moment for the both of us. But four months later, on June 12, my father slipped away.”

After his father’s death John slipped into a valley of darkness, making even worse mistakes and choices. Some his decisions gave him a temporary satisfaction, but ultimately left him even more empty and alone.

Napier admitted that one amazing thing happened during his dad’s illness. He recalled, “ Pastor Derek Spain came to visit my father one day in the hospital. I was walking down the hall on my way to see my father, when this man came up to me as if he knew me. I was just off of a drunken high from my previous night and didn’t really care who he was.

“He explained that he had seen me race many times in Lake Placid. I asked him what he was doing in Schenectady and he replied, ‘I came down to see your father and pray with him.’

“I was shocked. Who was this man who drove three hours just to pray for my dad? I was confused because I didn’t understand why someone would do such a thing. Before ending our conversation he told me about an athlete Bible study held at the Lake Placid Olympic Training Center, and that if I was ever around I was welcome to stop by.

“I decided that if a man was willing to drive five hours to see my dad, I better go support his Bible study for a few weeks. I attended the first few not long after my dad died because I felt I had to.

“But then something happened. I felt some connection between God and me. Then I started to go because I was curious about who God really was and how He was at work in the world today.”

The Bible study began to impact Napier’s life and he began to apply God’s word to his life. Napier testified, “Some people are blessed with child-like faith from the get go. Others, like me, must be ripped of their worldly ways in order to find that same faith. God sent his only Son to pay, in blood, for my mistakes, Although I know I’m forgiven, not a moment passes that I do not repent and weep for the pain He endured for me to be forgiven.”

Napier’s faith is becoming increasingly important to him. Spain remains close to him and serves as a spiritual mentor. Of Spain, Napier says, “Being a Christian athlete is a tough job, but Derek helps guide us on our journey so that we can also guide others.”

Spain spends a lot of time at the Olympic venues around Lake Placid for the major sporting events. Napier added, “Derek reaches out to anyone who wants God’s love. He also shows love and compassion to those who do not yet know the Lord. He holds weekly Bible studies for the athletes. That is where I found the Lord.”

“I have found that it is tough being a Christian on the bobsled team. The influences surrounding high profile athletics are for the most part ungodly, however I think that if Christians compete for the glory of God they can shine brightly for the Lord. I also find strength from other Christian athletes who are competing and doing it with humility rather than pride and that is hard to find among Olympic level athletes.”

Napier is committed to growing in his faith. He stated, “It takes a lot of discipline and love for our Father to pursue Him while on the road competing every week. Since we race every Sunday I am not able to attend a normal church service, however, the other Christian athletes and I have a very good plan of action to strengthen our faith. We have constant fellowship to enhance our growth. I try to read one Christian book a month and have my personal Bible studies daily.

“One particular Bible verse that helps me is John 5:17: ‘My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I, too am working.’ God is using us and working through us, so we can let our light shine in a dark place – the world of athletics.

“To be a true follower of Him is to deny ourselves the things we treasure the most and die to ourselves so that we may live for Jesus and His Kingdom.”