ASHEVILLE, N.C. (WLOS) — Dribbling, shooting and fun have all been staples in Asheville thanks to Randy Shepherd and Jamie Johnson with Crossfire Ministries.
The two grew up together on the court, usually on opposite sides, playing against each other in middle school, high school and in college,said Johnson. After Shepherd finished his hoops career at UNC Asheville and Johnson at Gardner-Webb, he and Johnson came together to form Crossfire.
“We knew Crossfire could be a platform to connect God with people,” Johnson said. “Not in church — out of church for people who maybe have something missing.”
Over 32 years, thousands of people came to dribble and hear Crossfire’s message, Johnson told News 13. Johnson also said that many of those who came through the ministry are now bringing their own children.
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Johnson said the ministry has also taken international trips, spreading their message to people globally.
“We’ve been to 68 countries, 300 trips — thousands and thousands of people,” Johnson said.
The ministry has also made a few college visits and experienced run-ins with NBA talents like Grant Hill, Tim Duncan and Tyler Hansbrough, Johnson said. Johnson also said that of all the ministry’s successes, none of them would have been possible without Shepherd.
“If [Randy] didn’t have the dream with me, I’m by myself,” Johnson said. “I might not have even started it.”
Johnson said that’s been the way things have been since 1993, however, things started to slow down for Randy.
“He had a challenge with cancer in his liver called carcinoid,” Johnson explained. “The last camp, just a couple of months ago, he couldn’t spin that ball — I kind of cried. He couldn’t do the drills.”
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On Thursday, Sept. 19, Randy Shepherd died from complications of cancer at 60-years-old.
“In the end, his imprint has been left,” Johnson said. “We’ll talk about Randy until we die, and how Christ changed his life too — he’ll know that what he did was great, and we’ll keep it going.”
Those who knew Shepherd have shown their support to Randy’s loved ones, and online. In a post about Shepherd’s passing, some people commented the following:
- “Thankful for a God-loving man like him in our community. Randy was a light to our children.”
- “Randy was a great man and a good friend. He will be missed for so many reasons.”
- “Huge loss for a lot of people, especially basketball players. Thank you, Randy, for being a great role model for kids. And for your support for older players who loved coming back. Hope your mansion in Heaven is Huge because as people transition, they’ll want to see you. Bravo on a great testimony. You will always be remembered in love.”
- “Randy and Jamie have impacted so many people through their ministry! My son attended many of their basketball camps- Randy was one of the best men we knew & always a Godly example to the boys he mentored. He will be greatly missed by everyone who knew him.”
“It’s reassuring to know that his impact was made,” Johnson said. “It continues on, and people will always remember who Randy was.”
While Crossfire won’t be the same, its camps and service will go on.
“We’ll continue,” Johnson said. “We won’t change anything. We won’t have Randy, and he won’t be able to spin that ball. We will have the spirit of Christ, the right people, and the camps will continue.”
Shepherd’s funeral services will be on Sunday, Sept. 29 at Trinity Baptist Church in West Asheville. Visitation will begin at 1:30 p.m. and the funeral will follow at 3:00 p.m.
