About Reza
Pastor Reza is a pastor and preacher who cares deeply about helping people understand what they believe and why it matters. He approaches preaching not as performance, but as stewardship—of Scripture, the pulpit, and the people listening.
Reza came to faith in Christ after converting from Islam as a college athlete at Colorado State University, an experience that shaped his love for Scripture, apologetics, and thoughtful engagement with truth. He later received theological training at Dallas Theological Seminary, further grounding his ministry in careful biblical interpretation and sound theology.
He preaches both exegetically and topically, always anchored in Scripture, with a focus on clarity so people leave with understanding rather than confusion. For more than twenty years, Reza has served churches, pastors, and ministry leaders through weekend preaching, retreats, staff teaching, and leadership development. He has planted and pastored a church and has extensive experience working with professional athletes and high-pressure leadership environments.
Reza served as a chaplain with the Denver Broncos for seven seasons and now works in a trusted role connecting with, encouraging, and resourcing all 32 NFL chaplains and teams, while also walking with athletes and coaches across major professional sports leagues. He is raising three children, and at heart, he is a pastor who loves the local church and is passionate about teaching Scripture and discipling men to follow Jesus with clarity, conviction, and integrity.
Testimony
I was born in Iran, and my family came to the United States when I was very young. My father worked for the former Shah of Iran, and when the 1979 revolution took place, it became unsafe for us to return. As political tensions escalated and war eventually broke out, we lost what we had, and the United States became our permanent home. I grew up in a traditional Iranian household with a Muslim background, learning English, navigating a new culture, and trying to find where I belonged. For me, that sense of belonging came through football, which quickly became my identity and the place where I felt seen and valued.
My first real exposure to Jesus came not through arguments, but through relationships. In junior college, a teammate handed me a Bible that stayed unopened for years. Later, after transferring to Colorado State University, I unexpectedly lived next to families from Athletes in Action during their national conference. I was suspicious at first, but I couldn’t ignore the way they lived—imperfect, yet deeply genuine. The night before they left, one family invited my roommates and me to dinner and shared the Gospel with simple clarity. That night, sitting alone on my bed, I prayed an honest prayer: if what they said about Jesus was true, I wanted Him in my life. I opened that Bible for the first time, and my journey with Christ began.
God used discipleship to shape my life, particularly through Jeff and Nancy Prior, who taught me how to read Scripture, follow Jesus in everyday life, and experience a healthy Christian family. But like many men, I had to learn that conversion is not the same as surrender. When injuries and multiple concussions ended my football career, my identity collapsed. I drifted from the Lord and eventually hit a breaking point while living in Austin, Texas. One restless night, I opened my Bible to James 1:2–4—already underlined from earlier discipleship—and God used that moment to call me back. That night marked a full surrender to Christ and a turning point in my life.
From there, God opened the door into ministry leadership. I served as a college pastor for over eight years, then stepped into church planting and lead pastoring. Our church plant grew rapidly, and I loved serving the local church, but I also sensed God leading us into a broader season of ministry. After years of connection and involvement, my wife and I joined Athletes in Action staff full-time. Today, my calling lives at the intersection of Scripture, discipleship, and high-pressure leadership environments. I have served and discipled college, Olympic, and professional athletes, and I currently serve as an NFL chaplain with the Denver Broncos. Alongside this role, I help connect with, encourage, and resource all 32 NFL chaplains, while working with chaplains and professional athletes across other major sports.
At the core, my story is simple: Jesus met me through faithful people, God’s Word anchored me when my identity fell apart, and discipleship taught me how to truly follow Christ. That is why I am passionate about helping everyday people learn to read the Bible for themselves, understand the Gospel clearly, and live a faith that holds up in real life.