Gavin Peacock, the former Newcastle United midfielder, has undergone a remarkable transformation, leaving behind his football career to become a pastor. The 57-year-old, who once dazzled fans with his mullet and on-pitch skills, now leads a congregation in Kent.
Peacock played for Newcastle in the early 1990s, contributing 59 goals in 117 appearances. He also represented Chelsea, AFC Bournemouth, Gillingham, and Queens Park Rangers. After retiring in 2002, he worked as a pundit for BBC Sport and Match of the Day.
In the late 2000s, Peacock moved to Canada, where he completed a three-year Masters in divinity in Calgary. He was ordained in 2012 and served as an associate pastor at Calvary Grace Church. This year, he returned to England with his wife Amanda and now serves as pastor of Bethersden Baptist Church in Kent.
Peacock credits his football media experience for helping him craft sermons. He said, 'My producer on MOTD2 taught me to think about my first line and a line to come out of VT. It's a good way to construct a sermon.'
