Spiritual Formation | 1/12/2026 4:43:00 PM

Throughout the Fall 2025 semester, Lipscomb Athletics has continued to see how sport can serve as a meaningful vessel for spiritual growth, relational investment, and purposeful leadership. Across teams and programs, student-athletes have been invited to live out their faith in everyday rhythms. Through consistent service in the Nashville community, intentional discipleship on campus, and global mission work, student-athletes are getting a glimpse of what it means to live on mission. These moments, both seen and unseen, have shaped a semester marked by faithfulness, growth, and a deepening awareness of God's presence in and beyond athletics.

Local Outreach
Engaging the local community remains a vital expression of spiritual formation within Lipscomb Athletics. This fall, student-athletes continued to serve at organizations such as Carter Lawrence Elementary, Whitsitt Elementary, Inner-City Ministry, the Juvenile Justice Center, Project 658 and additional community partners throughout Nashville. Whether mentoring students, leading activities, assisting teachers, or simply playing sports and games with children, athletes were reminded that meaningful impact often comes through steady commitment and loving others well.

Student-athletes partner with Carter Lawrence Elementary through Sports Fun Club, an after-school program designed to support students academically, relationally, and physically. By providing a space for reading, encouragement, and structured play, athletes have the opportunity to build meaningful connections through sport. Their consistent presence models Christlike leadership to the next generation. Daniel Winkelman, a junior men's track and field athlete, said, "I love going to Carter Lawrence. Being with the kids fills me up. We read together and play together, and it is a joy to see the kids every time. What really moves me is the chance I have to be the love of Christ to these kids in a very personal way. I want them to feel seen, known, and loved by me, and their creator."

Each week, student-athletes also gather at Brentwood Hills Church of Christ to serve alongside Inner-City Ministry, investing in the lives of local youth and their families through consistent presence, mentorship, and encouragement. Evenings are filled with games, shared meals, relationship building, and intentional Bible teaching, creating a space where joy, learning, and faith intersect. Senior baseball player Will Dugan shared how meaningful this experience has been for him: "I have absolutely loved being able to serve at Inner City with an amazing group of people. I've had the blessing of building relationships with the kids and trying to make an impact in their lives, while they are simultaneously making an impact on me. It's been incredible to watch the kids have so much fun and learn more about Jesus."

Additionally, this fall, the softball team took intentional time to visit a local juvenile justice center to connect with incarcerated youth. Through playing kickball, painting nails, playing cards, and simply being willing to serve, the team created space for genuine connection with young people who are often overlooked. Macey Ogle, a senior women's softball player, spoke about her experience, saying, "Serving at the Juvenile Justice Center is truly an unforgettable experience every time. After each visit, my compassion and understanding of the challenges kids in our community face day-to-day are deepened. The girls are always such a joy to spend time with, and they love having conversations with someone who will simply listen. Serving at JJC pushes me to value the power of consistent support and presence."

On Campus Discipleship
FCA continues to be a meaningful space where student-athletes from across teams come together to grow in faith and community. Through weekly gatherings centered on worship, Scripture, testimony, and community, FCA encourages athletes to pursue Christ both in competition and in daily life. These gatherings foster unity across sports and provide consistent connection for student-athletes throughout the semester. "FCA has been an incredible way to connect with other athletes in fellowship though accountability, encouragement, and a shared excitement for what God has done and is continuing to do! Having the opportunity to be a part of FCA has been such a blessing!" said sophomore women's soccer player Chloe Iliff.

The Leadership Summit is an opportunity designed to intentionally invest in student-athletes by developing their leadership skills both on and off the field. Through guided discussions, personal reflection, and shared learning led by Senior Associate Athletic Director for Spiritual Engagement Chris Klotz, participants are challenged to grow in self-awareness, communication, and servant leadership. The Summit provides a unique opportunity for athletes from different teams to learn from one another and apply these principles within their own teams and communities. Bethany Wright, a sophomore women's track and field athlete, shared what she has learned from the Summit, stating, "Originally, I thought learning from Klotzy in Leadership Summit would teach me how to become a good leader. However, I have learned that leadership is a platform that you already have, and the key is to serve others with the gifts God has given you."

Our male student-athlete Bible study, affectionately known as Sunrise Slayers, gathers every Wednesday morning to pursue spiritual growth together. Through Scripture reading and memorization, prayer, and accountability, this group has become a meaningful space for encouragement and brotherhood. Noah Kump, a junior on the men's soccer team and a regular at Slayers, shared how meaningful the group has been for him: "Slayers has been an amazing community of young men to be a part of. My faith is able to really grow through being a part of a community of believers who are going through the same challenges as me."

D1 Disciples, the women's student-athlete Bible Study, also provides a consistent space on Tuesday mornings for female athletes to gather in community, study God's word, and encourage one another through shared experiences. These weekly meetings foster meaningful conversation, prayer and connection, creating an environment where women are challenged as they grow in faith, identity, and purpose. "D1 Disciples is such an amazing Bible study with amazing girls from different sports. It is something I look forward to every Tuesday morning as a way to connect, learn, and grow in my faith as a student-athlete!" said Kyla Jobe, freshman Softball Player.

International Missions
This December, Lipscomb Athletics served globally once again, sending a group of student-athletes representing multiple teams to El Salvador, and also a small group of alumni to Mexico. Athletes served alongside Sports Impact International, a ministry that uses sport as a tool to share the Gospel and build relationships within local communities, and Baja Missions who provides physical, emotional, medical and spiritual relief through planting Churches in Mexico. These experiences provided opportunities to step outside familiar contexts, see how sport can be used to point others to Christ, and witness how God is at work across cultures and communities. Junior women's golf captain Bridget Craig shared how impactful the trip was for her, saying, "Getting the opportunity to go El Salvador was life changing. Seeing how Humberto and the SII staff serve the community and share the gospel through everything they do was eye-opening. God is moving all over the world, and it was a joy to be able to serve whoever we were with."

Looking Ahead
As the Fall 2025 semester came to a close, it was clear that God has been at work forming student-athletes not only as competitors, but as disciples, servants, and leaders. Through local outreach, on-campus discipleship, and global missions, Lipscomb Athletics continues to create spaces where faith is lived out with intention. We are grateful for what God has done this semester and look forward with expectation to how He will continue to move in the lives of student-athletes in the seasons ahead.

To learn more about Lipscomb Athletics Spiritual Formation, upcoming mission trips, or ways to be involved, please contact Chris Klotz at cpklotz@lipscomb.edu.