Episode 91 - Stephanie welcomes former NFL running back Matt Forté and his amazing entrepreneur wife Danielle to discuss their faith, their marriage and parenting, the importance of truth in our search for deeper intimacy with God, and much more! In this candid and genuine conversation, Matt and Danielle share the secret of their successful marriage, and their endless pursuit of more of God in every aspect of their lives. They take us back to their own childhood and coming to faith, and how they aim to role-model authentic faith, grounded in truth, to their own children. Matt shares the spiritual discoveries he made while on the football field, the depth of his commitment to fatherhood in his family, his community and beyond, and how his faith came full circle when they visited slums in India.

They share how parenting has increased their respect and love for one another. Matt shares that one of the most important aspects of fatherhood is to build a strong relationship with your children’s mother when possible, since we are airing this special interview on Father's Day week.

And then, right as we were recording this interview from the Fortés’ home in Chicago, their 5-year old son walked in to give them a hug before naptime. It was a perfect illustration of everything we had been discussing, so it made the cut and you are invited to share in that special, unrehearsed moment of family love!

Finally Matt and Danielle share about their current calling into ministry, and how Jesus-centered humility stemmed from temporary glory. They are now global ambassadors for Biblica. Find out more at biblica.com and whatsyourfortefoundation.org

If you've enjoyed this episode, you will LOVE our Gospel Spice series! Click to check out the first episode of each season:

The Gospel of Matthew: https://www.podcastics.com/episode/3281/link/

https://www.podcastics.com/episode/3281/link/

The Psalms: https://www.podcastics.com/episode/33755/link/

https://www.podcastics.com/episode/33755/link/

The Gospel of Luke: https://www.podcastics.com/episode/40838/link/

https://www.podcastics.com/episode/40838/link/

The Book of Proverbs: https://www.podcastics.com/episode/68112/link/

https://www.podcastics.com/episode/68112/link/

DISCOVER THE GOSPEL SPICE MINISTRIES BEHIND THIS EPISODE

If you enjoyed this episode, we invite you to discover more about how God is at work at Gospel Spice Ministries, and even to join in His work! There are 3 easy ways to do that:

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Go to gospelspice.com for more info about Gospel Spice Ministries, the umbrella ministry over the podcast. You will discover our partners and the various services we offer, such as in-depth Bible studies with interactive conversation groups, a couple of times a year. 

Go to gospel-spice.com (with a "dash"!) to join the Gospel Spice Podcast community and interact with us!

Contact us on the website or at contact@gospelspice.com to send us your prayer requests (we pray for you as a team every week!) and let us know how we can come alongside you.

---- GET TO KNOW MATT AND DANIELLE ----

Dubbed an "Uphill Runner" for his uncompromising drive, and Top 50 NFL player in 2015, Matt Forté exemplifies fortitude in every sense. His ability to overcome obstacles, including the impact Hurricane Katrina had on the area in which he was raised and went to college, down to his training, has proven that his fighting spirit prevails despite whatever the obstacle.

Since 2013 Matt has been working with the youth to instill those same values and principles. Matt was raised in Slidell, Louisiana and graduated Tulane University with a degree in finance. While attending Tulane, Matt rushed for more than 2,000 yards in his senior year and was on the Heisman Candidate Watch List. He was drafted in the 2nd round of the 2008 NFL draft by the Chicago Bears where he would play for 8 years. In 2016, as an unrestricted free agent, he was signed to the New York Jets. He is a two time ProBowler and is married to Danielle Forte.

Versatile, efficient and passionate, three words that describe Danielle Forte’s “get-the-job-done” mentality.   Danielle, wife of Matt Forte and mother to their two children, is also the Creative Director and Founder of their family-focused fashion house geared towards women and kids, 828 Brands. In addition to running 828 Brands and the Forte household, she also heads up initiatives for The What’s Your Forte? Foundation as the Foundation’s co-founder. Danielle believes that lending the proverbial hand to someone in need is the first step of the journey ahead..

You are invited to join us on the Gospel Spice Prayer Bible Study, titled "The heart behind prayer" starting September 20, 2025! Details and registration here: https://www.gospelspice.com/prayer 

There are a few things in our Christian life that we know we should do more, or at least better – and prayer just might top the list. Prayer is a mystery. Why would a conversation with a human have any influence on God’s eternal, sovereign plan? It defies logic, and beckons love. How can God, the Almighty Lord of Hosts, be this close, this personal? It defies understanding, and beckons involvement.

But, lack of time, inspiration, and discipline, combined with the ruthless tyranny of our busy lives, push prayer to the periphery, to the “one day I’ll get to it” pile. And yet, we can excel at what we endeavor to undertake. So, why isn’t prayer more of a spiritual priority? Could we develop a mindset around prayer that made it attractive, inspiring, even maybe delightful? What if we attuned our spiritual ears to listen to God, and our spiritual eyes to see His provision?

As an unassuming student, I’m going to humbly offer to share the little I have learned from others about the joy of prayer. I will give us theology, practical tips, and useful resources, sharing what works for me as we, together, learn to pray.

If you find prayer intimidating, or if your lack of prayer makes you feel guilty or “less than,” then this is the place for you! If you have been a student of prayer for many years, this is the place for you too! If you have breath in your lungs, then prayer can become one of the deepest joys of your day. Don’t miss out!

A PERSPECTIVE ABOUT PRAYER

To pray is to believe that God not only hears, but that He responds. It is to stand in the gap for a broken world, wielding the authority of Christ, empowered by the Spirit, and trusting in the goodness of the Father. The question is not whether prayer works, but whether we are willing to pray the kinds of prayers that invite God’s Kingdom into the darkest places of the earth—and of our own hearts.

We may never fully understand the mechanics of prayer, or how it intersects with God's sovereignty, but we are not called to understand everything. We are called to be faithful. And faithfulness means showing up—in prayer, in persistence, in expectation.

So today, let us pray not only for the comfort of our hearts, but for the transformation of the world. Let us take our place as image-bearers, co-laborers, and co-heirs. Let us believe that God is still listening—and still acting. Because He is.

There’s only one way to find out what might happen when we truly pray like this.

Let’s begin.

THE MINDSET BEHIND THIS COURSE

Before we begin, let me tell you the obvious: I don’t really know how to pray. I’m a humble student and absolute beginner at the holy endeavor that is prayer. So, this course isn’t really about what I’ve learned, or any wisdom I might have gathered. But, I’ve sat at the feet of many prayer warriors over the decades, through books and teachings.

So, I’ll share what I learned from them. Humility is going to be our primary heart posture! With each lesson, I will offer a few thoughts, practices, and ideas – with much humility, and not taking myself too seriously. I will also share her favorite books and resources about prayer. FInally, I will introduce you to some of the most influential prayer warriors of our history as the Body of Christ.

Most importantly, I will invite YOU to pray! Learning to pray comes from praying. Our humble ambition is to inspire you to pray, and to give you a few tips on how to do that. Then, it’s up to you! Prayer is a lifelong endeavor. Let’s make it delightful together!

So, let’s get started.

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