Pastor Wins New Car for Hitting Half-Court Shot at Kings Game, Says Angels Carried Ball

By Leonardo Blair, Senior Reporter Friday, April 08, 2016

A pastor who made the first half-court shot to win a new car from Folsom Lake Ford/Folsom Lake Kia at a Sacramento Kings game in California this season says he thinks angels carried the ball through the net.

Senior pastor at the Center of Praise Ministries in Sacramento, Joseph Sissac told church volunteer Jonno Strickling in a reaction video that he was overjoyed at making the shot but believes he had some divine help.

"I feel great. I'm overjoyed. I'm so excited and just blessed. Thankful for the opportunity and thankful that the ball went through the net," Sissac said with a laugh as he recalled how flawlessly the ball went through the hoop touching nothing else "but net."

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"I'll never forget the sound. It was the most beautiful net sound I've ever heard," he said.

Strickling noted that he was also at the game along with others praying as the Sissac took the shot. The pastor had quipped in an earlier text message that he was hoping angels would take the ball through the hoop after he threw it up, he added.

"Before that you sent me a text message that you were just gonna throw it up and let the angels carry it on in. What do you think after?" Strickling asked.

"You know I think that's exactly what happened. I put it in God's hands. Someone asked me, did I pray before and my prayer really was God, your will be done. And I think that's what happened. I think this was all God's plan, God's will. So to God be the glory," said Sissac who celebrated with fist pumps in the air after he made the shot.

The Kings, who played the Portland Trail Blazers, went on to lose the game 115-107 that night.

Pastor Sissac who attended both Sacramento City College and William Jessup University is currently studying at Western Seminary, according to his church's website.

He is noted as a successful church planter and organizer and has a broad background of ministry that includes youth, young adults, and missions. He also served two years as a missionary in Mexico.

Sissac, who was born in Chicago, was a teaching professional for a number of years and he has been actively involved with the Juvenile Justice Chaplaincy Program in Sacramento.

"He also developed and facilitated the Ministry Strategy and focus of the Center of Praise that presents the clear and pragmatic characteristics of God, relative to understanding His interface with His people and our response within the context of vision and mission. He carries a heart and desire to see lives, our city, the community, and the world transformed by the power of the Holy Spirit and the Word of God," says the church.

"When Jesus gave the command to 'go and make disciples of all nations' He gave the solution for all the unrest in people's hearts and the devastating outcomes. The Church's mandate is carry on the work that Jesus began through the power of the Spirit by making disciples," said Sissac.