Miles McPherson (1960 in Brooklyn, New York) is the pastor of The Rock Church in San Diego, a motivational speaker, and a former NFL football player.
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McPherson grew up on Long Island. He attended the University of New Haven, where he majored in engineering. McPherson was the university's first player to achieve All-American honors in football and be drafted into the NFL. He was originally drafted by the Los Angeles Rams; he was cut and went on to play defensive back for the San Diego Chargers.
After battling a drug problem, McPherson became a born again Christian in 1984, and began participating in religious outreach programs.[1] In September 1986, he retired from football; the next week, he enrolled in Azusa Pacific University's School of Theology.[1] He received his Master of Divinity degree in 1991.[1]
In 1992, McPherson founded "Miles Ahead", a non-profit international evangelical organization.[1]
In 2000, McPherson founded The Rock Church. As of 2009, more than 12,000 attend one of the Rock’s five weekend services.[2]
McPherson spoke at the 2008 Republican National Convention,[3] and was an advocate of Prop 8, during the 2008 elections. During the Miss USA 2009 controversy involving Carrie Prejean, a member of his church, McPherson appeared on Larry King Live,[4] The O'Reilly Factor,[5] and other national news networks.
McPherson is the author of several books[6] and articles and earned an Emmy Award in 2007 for a documentary on methamphetamine.
McPherson and his wife Debbie have three children. His younger brother Don McPherson is also a NFL player.[1]