It was three years ago when University of Illinois star forward Roger Powell, Jr., first came into contact with the Illinois FCA staff. He had begun attending an FCA team Bible study initiated by former Fighting Illini and current Los Angeles Laker Brian Cook.

At the time, the staff could sense that Powell, a struggling Christian, was having trouble living out his faith. “He knew he wasn’t living up to the standard of the Lord he served,” said FCA Regional Director Tim Johnson. “He wasn’t doing anything shocking, but looking back, he was disappointed in the breaching of God’s standards. He knew he was doing wrong.”

Powell began speaking to kids at FCA-sponsored events, but he felt convicted when he would try to “live two lives.”

“I would say one thing, but I would do another,” he recalled. “FCA has really helped me with that. Now I know that what I say matches up with my actions. It was about accountability. FCA was right there with me the whole time.”

And according to Johnson, the transformation has been evident in Powell’s life and actions. “While he used to say the right things, his actions were contrary. He now lives out his faith in public.”

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Roger Powell’s “public” has increased significantly this season as the Fighting Illini have spent much of the season atop the polls. In December, Illinois was tabbed the No. 1 college basketball team in the nation after starting the year 9-0.

It was just the third time in school history that the team had held the top ranking, and the first time since 1989. The past two times Illinois went to No. 1, the Fighting Illini finished the season in the Final Four.

The Illini ascended to this season’s top spot after knocking off previous No. 1 Wake Forest—a game in which Powell missed just two shots and led all scorers with 19 points and pulled down seven rebounds.

Asked what has made the difference in his game after the contest, Powell told reporters: “Prayer.” And he has figured out that his true purpose in life involves not only prayer, but also Bible study and sharing the gospel. Last October, Powell, 22, was licensed as a minister at Mt. Zion Full Gospel Tabernacle, a Pentecostal church in his hometown of Joliet, Ill. The license permits him to preach.

“It’s a long road,” Mt. Zion pastor Craig Purchase told The Chicago Tribune. “This is just a start. But he’s starting right.”

Powell, who attended Mt. Zion as a youngster, agreed.

“I want to let the Lord lead me—be it as a pastor, evangelist, youth minister or something else,” Powell told STV shortly before he received a bachelor’s degree in speech communication from Illinois in December. “I don’t know exactly what that calling is yet, but it’ll be in ministry.”

In January, he started courses in religious studies at Urbana Theological Seminary, and Powell plans to pursue a master’s degree in theology.

For now though, Powell’s ministry platform is basketball, as he boldly declares his faith each time he steps on the court. Inscribed on his basketball shoes are his favorite Bible verses, including Philippians 4:13, Isaiah 41:10, Colossians 3:17 and 3:23, and 1 John 4:4.

Said Powell, “When I’m stretching before the game, I point to my shoes when they have the TV cameras on me.”

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So how does it feel to be a high-profile athlete who speaks out for Christ?

“I focus on staying humble,” said Powell, now a three-year starter. “Tim Johnson showed me in The Topical Bible how God wants us to be humble.

“I strive to be humble, but still hungry and determined to win,” he continued. “I really feel that I’ve done nothing on my own. God has really blessed me with a stage, and I take no credit for it.”

Powell’s teammates see him as the squad’s spiritual leader.

“We call him ‘The Rev’ now,” teammate Dee Brown told The Champaign News-Gazette. “He’s given himself over to God. That’s a positive thing. It’s not easy. I wish I could do it.’”

And according to Johnson, Powell is “not fake or phony.”

“Roger is the real deal,” he said. “Whether he is working with FCA staff or with his teammates, he’s able to relate to people where they are.

“Roger also cares a lot about his teammates and is faithful in prayer for them,” Johnson added. “He’s not shy and continues to grow in the Lord. He’s very real and gifted in how he connects to people.

“What I’ve noticed, and what FCA staff have seen is the difference in Roger’s response to adversity,” he continued. “The way Roger reacts to problems, the people he chooses to hang out with and the way he talks¾all of it is different to what is typically seen. He is a stand-up guy who is highly respected by his coaches and teammates. They know that he is a man who walks the talk. And he knows that he is responsible to God and not just to himself.”

So what advice would Powell give to believers who need more boldness in sharing their faith?

“Put all your faith in Jesus,” he said. “The Holy Spirit will guide you with the words to say. Just don’t be afraid. Speak about what you believe. For anyone standing up for Christ who has a platform, I encourage you to just do it and believe that God is with you.”

Powell hopes to put his own advice into practice in the NBA someday. Although he withdrew his name from last year’s NBA draft to return for his final college season, Powell plans to continue to use sports as a witnessing platform as a professional basketball player.

“I believe God’s going to open a door for me to play in the NBA because He’s given me the talent,” said Powell. “It’s a great way to get the gospel out and to reach kids.”

He also wants to continue his ties with FCA.

“I just love the way FCA works,” he said. “It’s a place athletes can go and talk about the issues of life. I believe FCA really reaches out to the youth and shows them they can get involved in positive things. It gives Christian athletes an opportunity to speak out for Jesus.”

Said Johnson, “As the head of the ministry here in Illinois, it warms my heart that any of my FCA staff can talk to Roger about going out to speak and relate to coaches and athletes. He is so willing to do that. He is available to FCA staff to be used in any way that we think would be influential to coaches and athletes. I can’t say it enough, he truly is the real deal.”