A longtime ESPN producer and media expert has announced that he’ll be leaving the sports company to go into full-time ministry — a decision he made after feeling “God nudging” him to “step out in faith.”
“For about two years, I’ve felt God nudging me to pursue Him more and I’m just trying to follow that calling,” Jason Romano told Faithwire in an email interview. “Timing is everything, of course, and in December an opportunity came my way.”
So, Romano, who has worked as a talent producer and social media manager at ESPN for the past 16 years, said he and his wife embarked on some long talks and prayer before he decided “it was time to step out in faith.”
And it’s quite the move he’s making, considering that Romano’s lifelong dream was to work in sports; his various roles at ESPN these past two decades have made that dream into a wonderful and fulfilling reality.
My new life motto:
"I want to be successful in life doing things that truly matter."— Jason Romano (@JasonRomano) November 28, 2016
“It was my dream to work at ESPN for so many years, but it was so far beyond my dreams when I was a kid that I couldn’t even fathom where my career has taken me,” Romano told Faithwire, reflecting on his success. “The most rewarding part is the people, working with the best of the best, and watching them day in and day out was an honor and a privilege.”
And now he’s leaving it all behind to follow the entirely new calling.
"For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord. Plans not to harm but to prosper. Plans for a hope and a future." – Jeremiah 29:11
— Jason Romano (@JasonRomano) February 10, 2017
“I’m starting my own media consulting business to help churches, athletes and other companies with their social and digital media,” he said. “I’ll also be hosting a new faith and sports podcast to debut at some point in the next few months.”
Romano revealed his career change in a Facebook post on Thursday, thanking his colleagues and expressing his excitement for what’s to come. It was in that post that he also dove further into his reasons for leaving behind the career he has come to know and love, expressing his hope to do more for God:
Two years ago, I began to see God opening doors in my life to do more for Him. He began to do a work in my heart and I couldn’t ignore it. I’ve tried to pretend it wasn’t there, but I can’t ignore it any longer.
Now, as I begin the 3rd quarter of my life, I want to tell a different story. A story of redemption, a story of hope and and a story of faith. The time has come to begin a new chapter. […]
I do not want to look back at my life and wish I had done more for God. I don’t want to look back and have regret for not stepping out of my comfort zone.
Now is that time to say Yes to that calling and take that risk. Now is the time to fly.
Romano told Faithwire that he’s hoping to make a major impact in peoples’ lives as he shares what Jesus has done in his own life. His last day at ESPN is Feb. 10.
“That’s the legacy I hope I can leave behind,” he said.
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