From the Gridiron to Grace & From Grief to Glory: A Double Dose of Faith and Purpose
At AbundantTV, we’re passionate about stories that not only inspire—but awaken hearts to purpose. On this week’s episode of Thrive with Rob & Jason, we welcomed two incredible guests whose journeys, though very different, share a common thread: unshakable faith and a mission to impact others.
Marques Ogden: From NFL Star to Faith-Fueled Speaker
Marques Ogden’s story begins in the spotlight—on NFL fields across the country. But it was his time in the shadows that truly shaped him. After retiring from professional football, Marques built a thriving construction company that seemed unstoppable… until it suddenly collapsed. Within 90 days, he lost nearly $2 million. At rock bottom, he found himself scrubbing floors as a part-time custodian.
But God had more in store.
Today, Marques is the founder of Ogden Ventures, a five-time best-selling author, host of the top-ranked Get Authentic with Marques Ogden podcast, and a sought-after keynote speaker. He’s spoken to over 85 Fortune 500 companies—and more importantly, he’s using his platform to help others “fail forward,” turning mistakes into momentum.
His testimony reminds us that setbacks are setups—for comeback stories written by the hand of God.
📌 Learn more at: www.marquesogden.com
The Miller Family: Carrying Keaton’s Torch with “Keep the Faith”
Our second segment dives deep into a legacy forged in love, loss, and unwavering belief.
The Millers—Liz, Kaylie, Kirah, and David—joined us to share how they’re turning grief into generational impact through the Keaton Miller Scholarship Fund, created in honor of their beloved son and brother, Keaton. A young warrior who battled leukemia with joy and Jesus at the center, Keaton left this earth too soon—but his story is far from over.
During his journey, Keaton became known for three simple yet powerful words: Keep the Faith. That phrase now anchors a scholarship fund built to bless future ministry, theology, and Christian education students.
What began as a tribute is becoming a movement:
32 classmates came to Christ at Keaton’s funeral.
5 teammates were baptized this past August.
A Bible study Keaton dreamed of has grown to over 75 students across the metro—and even college kids are joining in.
Local events now bear his name, including Missouri’s largest youth wrestling tournament.
Kaylie and Kirah have taken the lead on branding, website design, and fundraising strategy, while Liz and David continue outreach efforts through community groups, churches, and speaking engagements. Their mission is bold: raise $25,000, build a perpetual endowment, and equip Kingdom-minded leaders for generations to come.
To support or learn more, visit www.keatonmillerscholarship.org and follow their updates on Facebook @TeamKeaton.
What Ties It All Together?
In a world full of noise, we need more stories that echo with eternal impact. Marques reminded us that failure isn’t final—it’s the fuel for the future when placed in God’s hands. The Millers showed us that grief can become legacy when faith leads the way.
Together, these testimonies declare a simple truth: God doesn’t waste pain. Whether it’s a financial collapse or the unthinkable loss of a child, He redeems every detail when we surrender our story back to Him.
So what’s your story? What’s God calling you to do with your platform, your pain, or your passion?
📺 Watch the full episode now on AbundantTV, streaming free across all platforms. Let their stories awaken the warrior, the leader, and the legacy builder in you.
