Reaching Athletes with the Gospel

“We’re starting to see a lot of fruit come about. God’s reaping a harvest right now! Even next year, I’m going to take the study to the football huddle with the athletes.” – Andy Owens

Andy Owens is a graduate of Moody Bible Institute, Class of 2004, and serves with Fellowship of Christian Athletes in Central Kentucky. Andy is using the special partnership issue of Today in the Word to help his athletes and coaches study the Bible.

Q. How have you used Today in the Word in your program?

A. Through Fellowship of Christian Athletes, I received the Gospel of John study produced in their partnership with Today in the Word. The coach at Eastern Kentucky University asked me to come in and lead a voluntary Bible study. We went through this study on the Gospel of John.

I’ve led Bible studies where people don’t say anything, they just stare back at you, but this wasn’t that way at all. As we studied, the men opened up. One coach came in early and told me how God was using the reading in his life. We have a good mix of believers and unchurched. Some of the men grew up in church, but it was just a part of their childhood.

Q. How are you able to teach the Bible in colleges and high schools?

A. In football, opportunities for the gospel are really built into the fabric of the sport. The teams and coaches are used to having a chaplain around and having team Bible studies offered. The longer they’re here and the longer I’m around, I’m able to get to know them and have conversations.

A lot of sports have chapels and devotions built into the schedule. The athletes may act rough, but they also want the Lord’s Prayer and the chapel. They may have different reasons for putting those things into the program, but it lets me go in and share the gospel.

Q. What is unique about reaching athletes with the gospel?

A. At Eastern Kentucky University, our theme is Finding Your Identity in Christ. When the team lost their season due to COVID, their whole identity was stripped away. They ask: What are they without their sport? Who am I without the approval of the team/fans/coach? This year, we’ve focused on who we are in Christ. If you know who you are in Christ, you can live without your sport and do better when you have your sport.

Q. What would you like to tell people who support Today in the Word?

A. When you invest in Today in the Word, you are partnering in the gospel. You’re making an investment. It may not be today or tomorrow, but lives are going to be impacted. I’m where I am now because I had God’s people invest in my life. Through your gifts I’m right where God wanted me right now.

A big thing I’ve seen, especially this past year, is that people are seeking answers to life. Everything is changing and they’re looking for absolutes. We’re able to point them to the answers found in God’s Word. I know that nothing catches God by surprise. We’ve had a lot of opportunities to get our athletes and coaches hope, and to give them a foundation.