Two-time University of Kentucky NCAA Basketball Champion Jeff Sheppard made a pit stop in Albany on Sunday, December 10, to speak at Albany First Baptist Church.
“We at Albany First Baptist always consider it a blessing and honor to be able to share God’s pulpit with anyone who is passionate about God’s work and the study of scripture. Hosting Bro. Sheppard, though, was incredibly special to me,” Bro. Nathan Britt said. “I grew up as a huge fan of the University of Kentucky basketball program in the 1990’s. Jeff Shepherd was my personal hero for a good portion of my youth. I would always choose to wear a jersey with the #15, because I wanted to play and mimic his attitude and work ethic on the basketball court, so hosting Bro. Sheppard carries an extra layer of significance.”
Britt said Sheppard was originally supposed to come to Albany in October, but that engagement had to be rescheduled for a later date, which happened to be last Sunday.
“We had anticipated hosting him in October and, while I was disappointed that we had to reschedule, after hearing his message on Sunday night, I was left with no question that God had ordained Bro Sheppard to come at the appointed time,” Britt said. “His message of reassurance in knowing that God is with us and that He is indeed our Immanuel, even in the midst of chaotic circumstances, resonated within me as well as everyone else in attendance.”
Sheppard was a member of the 1996 and 1998 Kentucky Wildcat basketball teams that won the National Championships in those respective years, and he was a member of the 1997 team that placed with runners-up honors in the National Championship. Sheppard’s son, Reed, is currently a member of the University of Kentucky Wildcats squad in his freshman year.