Dallas Cowboys chaplain (and Baylor alum) releases new book: ‘Fighting Your Battles’

Life’s challenges come in countless forms: war, intimidating opponents, mental health struggles, addictions, family conflicts — the list goes on and on. We all have to face such challenges at one point or another, but it’s important to remember we are never alone when confronting them.

That’s the message of Jonathan Evans‘ (BA ’03) new book. The former Baylor running back, current Dallas Cowboys chaplain, and son of prominent Christian pastor Tony Evans is the author of Fighting Your Battles: Every Christian’s Playbook for Victory, which hit bookstores earlier this month. This book isn’t simply about “keeping the faith,” but rather a spiritual guide to navigating hard times through every stage of life’s battles — from preparation to action to recovery to victory.

“I’ve had to walk through the darkness of the world, too,” says Evans, reflecting on his own losses. “In processing what it means to fight and win in life, I discovered a way all Christians can approach battles wearing God’s armor.”

[HEAR Evans share his story on Baylor Athletics’ “Sic ‘Em Podcast”]

The Playbook’s strategy encourages readers to rely on God’s power and comfort through hardships. Evans’ creative way with words, humble humor, no-nonsense biblical application, and from-the-trenches transparency about his own struggles give him incredible impact and credibility with all audiences.

Evans says his Baylor experience is what led him to ministry and to write this book. “My time at Baylor was formative in so many ways,” he remembers. “Most importantly, I learned how to maintain my faith in the midst of a challenge — the spiritual aspects and advantages of sticking things out, whether or not they go your way. Those lessons are useful everywhere: in marriage, in parenting, in your career, etc.”

After several years in professional football, Evans earned his master’s in Christian leadership from Dallas Theological Seminary. He now serves as chaplain for the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys, co-chaplain for the NBA’s Dallas Mavericks, and is an associate pastor at Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship.

Sic ’em, Jonathan Evans!