TIME Magazine recently released its “100 Next” list, and it includes several outspoken Christians like an astronaut, an NFL star, and the co-pastor of a prominent church. According to the publication, the TIME 100 Next list was created in 2019 and recognized the “rising leaders in health, climate, business, sports, the arts, and more.”
Among the outspoken Christians on the list were Potter’s House (L.A.) co-pastor Sarah Jakes Roberts, NASA astronaut Victor J. Glover Jr., Major League Baseball star Ronald Acuña Jr., and NFL quarterback Jalen Hurts. TIME Magazine tasked today’s leaders, Peyton Manning, for example, to “pay tribute” to future leaders by writing a short article.
Glover is part of the Artemis II crew scheduled to circle the moon and sail back to Earth next year, and TIME noted that Glover is a former fighter pilot who saw action in the Iraq War. He once took a Bible and communion cups to the International Space Station. The publication added, “Glover will be the first person of color to make a lunar journey, and the significance of that is not lost on him.”
Roberts and her husband, Touré Roberts, are co-pastors of Potter’s House in Los Angeles and assistant pastors of Potter’s House in Dallas, which is led by T.D. Jakes, her father. Tyler Perry wrote of Roberts, “Her lived experience using the grace of prayer to find a way through personal pain and tragedy resonates deeply with so many.”
He continued, “It’s what has allowed her to connect with millions of other women through her incredible ministry and Woman Evolve conference. As Proverbs 22:6 says, ‘Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old, he will not depart from it.’ This is all in Sarah’s DNA.” Hurts, 25, led the Philadelphia Eagles to the Super Bowl last year after being drafted out of Oklahoma in 2020. He was a standout with the Sooners and, before that, Alabama. During interviews, he often discusses his faith, and his Instagram bio reads, “In God I Trust.” Peyton Manning wrote of Hurts, “He’s a model of how to approach a job.”
Acuña Jr., an outfielder for the Atlanta Braves, is a four-time All-Star. He is 25 and was born in Venezuela. Like Hurts, Acuña Jr. often mentions his faith. Fellow Major Leaguer Miguel Cabrera wrote of Acuña Jr., “He is a young player, and I foresee him having more than one 40-40 season. I hope God keeps him healthy so he can reach 3,000 hits and 500 home runs. You know, I don’t want to be the lone Venezuelan on that list.”
This year’s list also includes scientists, CEOs, artists, and, naturally, a librarian too: Brooklyn Public Library’s Nick Higgins, who offers teens across the country access to books banned by their local libraries. Making a list like the TIME 100 Next list is an enormous accomplishment that shouldn’t be taken lightly. The Christians on this list show that embracing your faith will never lead you astray.