Colin Cooper - Faith Through the Storm
- Author
- The Gospel In The Game
- Published
- Fri 01 Aug 2025
- Episode Link
- None
The moment that changes everything – Colin Cooper, Mount Royal University goalie coach, shares how a cancer diagnosis with a four-month-old daughter at home became the ultimate test of his lifelong faith.
From his earliest days between the pipes, Colin faced constant skepticism about his 5'8" frame being "too small" for goaltending success. Each year brought new doubts from coaches, creating a resilience that would later prove providential. What seemed like career obstacles were actually preparing him for a battle far more significant than stopping pucks.
Growing up in a Christian household established Colin's foundation, though it wasn't always easy being "the weird Christian kid" in hockey circles. As he matured through junior and university hockey, he made intentional choices that prioritized his faith community – staying in Calgary despite opportunities elsewhere and starting a Bible study with teammates. These decisions reflected a deepening ownership of his beliefs that would later be tested in unimaginable ways.
The devastation of a "bad luck cancer" diagnosis with a newborn daughter should have broken him. Instead, in that hospital moment of hearing the news, Colin experienced an inexplicable comfort transforming his "why me?" into "how do we beat this?" Through excruciating pain and uncertainty, the foundation built on years of faith held firm. As Colin powerfully states, "God never promised us perfection on this earth," but having that rock-solid foundation makes all the difference when everything else crumbles.
Now cancer-free and continuing his coaching journey, Colin's testimony reminds us that we're stronger than we realize when we build our lives on something unshakeable. His story illustrates that sometimes our greatest challenges become our most powerful platform to inspire others. What foundation are you building your life upon?
