Earlier this year, Earvin “Magic” Johnson left his job with the NBA so that he could dedicate more time to serving both his church and his community.
In a recent post to Twitter, Johnson shared that a visiting bishop to his church gave an encouraging message about God’s calling that touched both Johnson and his wife.
“Cookie and I enjoyed a powerful message from Visiting Bishop Porter about God’s plan for us,” Johnson wrote. “We have to work toward his plan and have faith that he will bring it to pass. Have a happy Sunday!”
Twenty years ago, Cookie, Magic Johnson’s wife, started attending the West Angeles Church of God in Christ in L.A, where Johnson joined her shortly after. The two have been attending the church ever since.
Johnson recently shared with the Associated Press how the church, led by Bishop Charles E. Blake, has been able to accomplish so much as a community.
“It’s a tremendous accomplishment itself that an African-American pastor, a bishop can say to us as a community and congregation that, ‘we own our church.’ I think what you’ll see is that others will follow,” Johnson said. “From that sale, we’re able to build our family life center. So many community services will be established because of the family life center. When he asked me to help out, I was very willing to do that and to advise him and the other members that he chose to make sure they were making the right decisions and moves.”
According to the Church of God in Christ, Johnson recently shared with the church that he is blessed to be following God’s calling.
“It’s truly a blessing when you know what direction you’re going in,” he said. “It’s such a change for me because now when I go to speak to corporations, I lead off by praising the Lord. … You can touch somebody else to praise the Lord.”
After leaving his job with the NBA this past Spring, Johnson knew where he was being called: the church.
“I wanted to get more involved with my church and working with Bishop Blake,” Johnson told the AP. “When you think about his spiritual vision and plan, as well as what he had in mind in terms of his business plan for the Crenshaw corridor, it’s in line with what I’ve been doing in my business. I share his vision and want to just work with him and for him to see how we can improve the community.”
Johnson has been open about his relationship with Jesus for years. Back in 2014, Johnson credited God with turning his life around, sharing that he had previously dedicated his life to the Lord with the encouragement of his wife.
Reflecting on his 1991 HIV diagnosis, the former NBA star pointed to God as the most important part of his life.
“As for me, God is the most important one.” Johnson shared. “Because God has blessed me every day and it is a great reminder. He has blessed the work that I do and my employees, my achievements are clearly blessings from Him.”
“God loves me so much, at anytime He is good, so I go to Him with a thankful heart every day,” Johnson added.