The-Signal

Wrestler grapples with spiritual matters (+1picture)

World Championship Wrestling star Steve Borden,aka Sting,discussed his

spiritual awakening with several dozen people,many of whom came out for

a chance to see the professional wrestler in person,in the parking lot of Family

Christian Stores in Canyon County Saturday afternoon.

Borden,who became a born-again Christian less than a year ago,arrived by

motorcycle to speak to the crowd about how his spiritual renewal had affected

him and why he believes it's important for others to experience a spiritual awakening...........

as well.

"My walk with Christ began only 11 months ago," said Borden. "This has been my

first real oppotunity for me to speak to the public about Jesus Christ."

"I grew up in Santa Clarita,"Borden told the crowd. "I can relate to all you people here."

Borden ,a Canyon Country resident,attended Peachland Elementary School,

Placerita Junior High School,Hart High School and College of the Canyons.

Tammy Morrell,the manager of the First Christian Stores in Canyon Country,arranged to

have Borden as the featured speaker at the store's grand opening event Saturday.

Other featured events included pony rides for children,a children's astro jump and music

played by Christian music station 96,3FM,who attended the grand opening.

A ribbon -cutting ceremony was also held in which Major Jo Anne Darcy attended.

First Christian Stores is a national corporation that sells Christian-based books,gifts,cards,

jewelry and figurines.The store opened on Soledad Canyon Road about six weeks ago.

..Tammy's husband,Mike ,is the worship leader of Santa Clarita's Church On The Rock,

where Borden is a member .She said she asked Borden to attend the event in order to

emphasize to others the impact Christianity can have on their lives.

"I knew he would touch lives," she said.

Borden's brother ,Jeff,who is the pastor at the church,spoke to the crowd about the importance

of spiritual renewal,and conducted a prayer for those seeking spiritual guidance.

Steve Borden told the crowd that his renewal started as result of feeling that something was

missing from his life,in spite of having "it all," including fame and material wealth.

He hopes to be able to make more public appearances to discuss his renewal,and said that

he believes that it will help to make him a better example to the community.

"Yes wrestlers can be Christians too," Borden told the applauding audience.

Some members of the audience came out just to see Borden,while others said they came out

strictly to browse through the store.

The Rev. Dave Sanders,an independently ordained minister,said he came to the event to see

Borden and to find out what the store has to offer.

Sanders,an SCV sesident who started the Spiritual World Wrestling Association,believes that

Christianity and wrestling can complement each other.He said that the physical aspect of

wrestling can be compared to wrestling spiritually.

"We all wrestle ,"Sanders said. We all have our demons."

Many church members are wrestling fans, he said, adding although many

people don't wrestle physically, all people wrestle through life and spiritually.

Sanders ,who brought his wife and children to see Borden, has been a wrestling fan for 30 years.

"I knew it would be a once-in-a-lifetime thing for my son to meet him," said Sanders.

Credit to: The-Signal.com