One of the ways we go about leading this global movement of Gospel Centered Sports Ministries in Local Churches is through our Leadership Center. The Leadership Center offers seven web-based classes where the students view weekly video lectures and then participate in a weekly webinar with the other students and a CSO facilitator.
Brad Barker took Relational Outreach, one of those seven classes, this spring. Brad lives in Norman, Oklahoma and has been involved in coaching for over 30 years and currently coaches football, soccer, and flag football in an Upward league at his church, CrossPointe Church, in Norman.
Recently, I talked with Brad about his involvement in Relational Outreach and the CSO Leadership Center. Here are some of his comments:
How did you find out about the CSO Leadership Center classes?
“I did a search for ‘sports ministry’ on the Internet and found CSO. I was looking for help in my development as a coach, particularly in becoming more effective in ministry. I knew the sports, I just wanted to improve as a coach with the spiritual side. The classes offered me a chance to get that help in a way that I could take advantage of given my schedule.”
What were the benefits from taking the Relational Outreach class?
“Probably the biggest benefit was seeing outreach as a process rather than an event.
This idea opened up several other key concepts. If outreach was a process over time, then in most cases it took a team effort to reach someone rather than just one individual.
I also saw outreach as more of a God thing rather than a me thing. We studied Mark 4 and the parable of the growing seed, which I have probably read 100 times. Yet I never took notice of the verse that says, “Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how.”
This perspective had two effects – first of all it took the pressure off me. Secondly, I appreciated my role and the role of others in the process.
Last spring, I had the privilege of leading one of my players to Christ at the end of the season. I remember thinking something like ‘Look at what I have done!” After the class, I realized others were involved, especially the foster parents of this child. I just got to ‘reap’ the benefits of others work. So I went to them and encouraged and thanked them for their role in this boy’s life.”
What surprised you about the class?
“Honestly, I was surprised by how impactful it was and how much I enjoyed the videos.”
What is some things you will do differently as a coach moving forward?
“The first thing I plan to do is to get with my assistant coach for the fall and go over these concepts with him.
Then I plan to spend more effort reaching out to the families as well as the players to try to build relationships with them.”
What would you say to others out there involved in sports ministry about these classes?
“These classes are not just for staff members but volunteers, especially coaches, will greatly benefit like I did. In fact, you will probably be surprised as I was at how impactful your participation will be.”
Hopefully, this gives you a glimpse of some of the ways God uses the Leadership Center to extend our reach and our efforts to lead this movement to redeem the idol of sports. We praise God for people like Brad and pray for others to feel God’s call to this movement.
