Am I Committed To God or The Results?
A conversation between Manuel Chireno Jr., guest; Devaughn and Rosa Williamson, hosts.
Manny grew up in Philadelphia, a place known for its tough environment. Without a consistent father figure, he turned to basketball as his outlet. His passion for the sport was fueled by watching local hero Allen Iverson and celebrity Cristiano Ronaldo. Little did he know, his father was a professional athlete, embedding the athletic spirit in his genes.
In high school, Manny worked tirelessly on his game, even training with an NBA-level coach named Bruce. His hard work paid off when he received a full academic scholarship to LaSalle University. However, just as he was about to walk onto the college team, he discovered he had eight microfractures in his leg. Doctors told him he would never play basketball again and might need a cane for the rest of his life.
Devastated, Manny dropped out of college after just two weeks. But instead of giving up, he leaned heavily on his faith. Despite the bleak medical diagnosis, he believed God had healed him and continued to play basketball. This unwavering faith was a cornerstone in his journey, showing the power of trusting in something greater during times of crisis.
Manny's faith was tested further when he discovered he had cataracts in both eyes, worsening his vision. He was about to spend his entire savings on contacts that would accelerated his blindness. Meeting Mr. Shell, who advised him to seek God's guidance, changed everything. Through prayer and community support, Manny's friend's church raised the money for his eye surgery, restoring his vision to 20/20.
Despite these setbacks, Manny graduated from Oral Roberts University in 2020 and founded Flight Time Training, a personal training and basketball business in Tulsa, Oklahoma. His gym, known for its rigorous and effective workouts, reflects Manny's journey of overcoming adversity through faith and determination.
Manny courtside with one of Oral Robert’s guards - Carlos Jürgens
Manny's story highlights the importance of faith in overcoming life’s biggest challenges. His transition from a struggling young athlete in Philadelphia to a successful business owner in Oklahoma underscores the power of perseverance, hard work, and unwavering belief in God. If you're in Tulsa, check out Flight Time Training for a transformational fitness experience, led by someone who truly understands the power of overcoming adversity.
If this story has impacted, inspired or reignited your faith to believe God’s promises for your life, we would love for you to consider becoming a partner of Faith Ignite so we can share even more stories like Manny’s all around the world! With your partnership, faith can be spread across the world and transform even more lives.
Devaughn Williamson President, Faith Ignite Inc
