Sports Makes Opportunities to Connect

This reflection from Brett, one of our Coaches, provides two great examples of how sports are a wonderful point of connection for people, about anytime and anywhere!

“As I read John’s Gospel I encounter Jesus intentionally interacting with the crowds of people that gather around Him. Jesus reaches out to the woman at the well in Samaria and relates to her through such a simple substance as water. [John 4] He shares Himself with the hungry crowd that had gathered on the shores of the Sea of Galilee through bread. [John 6] Jesus continues to extends Himself to the religious rulers as the door of the sheep and the good shepherd [John 10]. In sports ministry we also have the same opportunity to reach out and connect with others simply through sports.

“This past week as I was playing two separate disc golf courses in different cities, I was given the privilege of interacting with one gentleman who was sitting at a picnic table alone. He was interested in knowing what it was I was doing walking around in the hot sun throwing around a piece of plastic towards a metal basket. By simply being willing to allow my round of disc golf to be ‘interrupted’ by a curious onlooker, I was given the honor of encouraging him in his faith journey. As I put my agenda on hold and listened well I was able to hear his pain of the past and encourage him to reach to God in his present circumstances. What a privilege it was to share a few moments with him and to continue to pray for him today.

“Just a few days later on another course in another city I noticed a couple sitting by the water fountain. The gentleman had a USMC logo on his vehicle and I simply thanked him for his military service. This led him to inquire about what I was doing ‘playing that game’ of disc golf. As I took the time to explain the concept behind playing disc golf and to listen to his military experiences, I was able to lean into my story of faith in Christ and invited him to join me in throwing a round. He wasn’t able to then but afterwards, he sought me out and we exchanged contact information to connect in the near future. I continue to pray for him and his companion.

“I thank God for divine opportunities such as this as I am out on the course and continue to pray and pursue God’s leading in establishing a disc golf league for kids in our community. Progress is slow but moments such as these give me great encouragement that God truly desires to show Himself through me as I make myself available to Him through something as simple as sports.”