By Portia Williams
Ted DiBiase — the ‘Million Dollar Man’ of the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) — will speak at Cornerstone United Methodist Church (UMC), 808 Offnere Street in Portsmouth on Sunday, Sept. 27, 2015, at 9:30 a.m. and 11 a.m.
Tim Roth, pastor of Cornerstone UMC, said the idea to have DiBiase come to Portsmouth materialized through a conversation that he had with local wrestling promoter, Dirk Cunningham.
“Dirk Cunningham, who is the local wrestling promoter, and I were talking a few months ago about some of the big names of wrestling in the past and the name Ted DiBiase came up as one of our favorites,” Roth said. “We were aware of his story and how he now speaks all of the world and we both said, ‘Why not bring him to Portsmouth?’ “We called Ted, and he was excited to come to southern Ohio.”
DiBiase traveled the world in the WWF wrestling in some of the biggest venues in the world, such as Madison Square Garden and The Superdome. He was known as the sport’s most despised villain in the 80s and headlined several Wrestlemania events watched by millions of people.
DiBiase’s story is one of radical transformation. He left what he eventually considered to be an empty life filled with fame and fortune which led to emptiness.
“At the height of a tremendously successful wrestling career, I enjoyed what fame and fortune brought me,” DiBiase said. “However, I found myself empty and unhappy. I filled my life with drugs, alcohol, and adulterous affairs. At the end of my rope, and nearly losing my wife and family, I fell in love with Jesus when I was told he would forgive me and restore me, in spite of the countless times I had turned my back on Him. Not only did He forgive me and restore me, He restored my marriage and my family as well, and I have been in passionate pursuit of pleasing Him ever since.”
Roth said they are excited about having DiBiase come and share his message about his transformed life.
“The character of the Million Dollar Man was fulfilled by wealth and power and greed. In contrast, the real Ted DiBiase is fulfilled by his relationship with Jesus Christ and his family, and a desire to do God’s will in his life. We are extending an invitation to Join us Sunday at Cornerstone to be blessed by Ted’s message of grace,” Roth said.
Reach Portia Williams at 740-353-3101, ext. 1929, or on Twitter @PortiaWillPDT.
.neFileBlock {
margin-bottom: 20px;
}
.neFileBlock p {
margin: 0px 0px 0px 0px;
}
.neFileBlock .neFile {
border-bottom: 1px dotted #aaa;
padding-bottom: 5px;
padding-top: 10px;
}
.neFileBlock .neCaption {
font-size: 85%;
}
