As the COVID-19 global pandemic has significantly impacted and altered our lives, campus, and athletic programs, Lipscomb Athletics Spiritual Formation has had to quickly learn how to best improvise, adapt and overcome these obstacles to positively impact the lives of student-athletes and encourage them in their faith journeys. 
"The global pandemic has brought about many relational challenges, fear, sickness, isolation and disappointment, but we know that Jesus is still on the throne," said Chris Klotz, director of spiritual formation. "We know that God is working and using these challenges we are facing to bring us closer to Him and grow our faith amidst the chaos around us. As a department, we have had to adjust our mindsets in a lot of ways, and rely on the power of prayer to help us to make the most of a different year but God has been so faithful in the ways He has allowed for us to walk closely with students as well as impact our community throughout these unprecedented times." 

Meet the Herd 
At the beginning of each academic year, Lipscomb Athletics invites the athletic community to a welcome back event called "Meet the Herd," to get to know one another and celebrate an exciting year ahead. 
Although this year was a little different, the Meet the Herd event was a huge success. Over 200 student-athletes gathered on an online Zoom call to get to know one another while playing games and connecting to help kick the year off right. 

Local Outreach 
For the past seven years, Lipscomb Athletics Spiritual Formation has sent a team each week to serve at a local elementary school's Sports Fun after school program where athletes tutor students as well as play fun games and encourage them to focus on their academics as a vehicle to pursue their dreams. 
While Sports Fun club was cancelled due to the city-wide virtual school decision, nearly 300 Lipscomb student-athletes wrote each elementary student a personalized note instead.   
Lipscomb Athletics Spiritual Formation also gathered a few student-athletes to participate in a video series that was sent out to local elementary schools to help encourage and inspire children to stay positive and focused during this difficult time. 
This semester, Lipscomb women's golf, men's and women's cross country, men's and women's track & field, softball, baseball and volleyball teams also have all supported local families in need by providing backpacks filled with school supplies and other basic needs to remind them that they are seen, valued and loved. 

Chapel 
This semester there have been four chapels offered within the athletic department. The first was a general student-athlete chapel led by Klotz, where 185 student-athletes gathered virtually each week to receive a thought-provoking question to ultimately challenge and encourage them in their faith.

Shannon O'Brien, director of women's spiritual formation in athletics, also led a virtual women's chapel where 15 student-athletes went deeper in understanding their identity and significance and the calling they have as ambassadors of Christ.

The next chapel offered was Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA). This chapel brought 35 students from the university together to create rich and authentic community one night a week. This chapel was entirely student-led where they were able to meet both in person and virtually. The leaders of this chapel were Pari Manoogian, Sam Kuhn, Ayse Allison and Taylor Edmondson from the track and cross country programs along with Logan McFadden and Kristi Jones from women's soccer.

The last chapel, known as sunrise slayers, was offered to male students on campus. During this chapel, 16 young men gathered to study and memorize the word of God while building a genuine and vulnerable community of young men. This chapel was led by baseball players JT Caver and Dylan Bierman.

Baptisms 
This semester, we celebrated several current and former student-athletes giving their lives to Jesus in baptism. Alex Tirado (track) and Logan Gish (volleyball) along with recent alumni Brittany Thomas (volleyball), Chloe Rogers (volleyball), Megan Sullivan (volleyball) and Daniel Mulbauer (soccer) have also surrendered their lives to Jesus in baptism!

Other Noteworthy Opportunities 
• 555 Prayer Campaign – Prayer cards were distributed to community members committed to praying for five student-athletes, five minutes a day, five days a week for an entire year.
• Sports Ministry Training – Throughout the semester, Klotz and O'Brien utilized a curriculum known as Faith on the Field to provide various teams and student-athletes sports ministry training to help grow in their faith. 
• Leadership Summit – This inaugural program was launched in July and is made up of one representative from each team totaling 15 student-athletes. The cohort model has allowed student-athletes to connect with one another, grow and develop as current and future leaders.
• Mentorship – Discipleship, 1-on-1 counseling, helping student-athletes navigate mental health through a challenging season of life. 

To learn more about Lipscomb Athletics Spiritual Formation, please contact Chris Klotz at cpklotz@lipscomb.edu.