Sports & Recreational Outreach Ministry Resources
Sports and other leisure or recreational activities can provide great relationship-building opportunities and hence can be good for outreach and discipleship.
Click on a tab below to view a list of outreach ministry and other resources within these different sports and recreational areas.
While seeking to choose doctrinally sound resources, we make no claim to total endorsement of any listing. Where possible, links go to merchants with whom we have an affiliate relationship, such as being an Amazon Associate from whom we earn from qualifying purchases. These sites may use cookies to track activity to ensure that Ministry Tools Resource Center gets commissions from any sales. Links open in new pages to keep the list available.
Sports
Sports Can be an Effective Means for Outreach and Discipleship Ministry
About Sports and the Christian Life, the Church, and Parenting
Articles:
- Faith and Sports in Pop Culture
- Football Practice on Sunday Morning
- More Than Just a Game: Why Sports Matter for Kids
- Sick and Tired of Competing With Sports
- Sports Parenting: 4 Tips for Parents of Athletes
- Sports Parenting: How to Encourage Your Kids When They Lose the Game
- Teaming Up with Sports Families
- Walk Worthy
- When Sports Come Before Church: 3 Tips for Christian Families
- Your Ministry Should Give Sports a Sporting Chance
Books:
- Away Game: A Christian Parent’s Guide to Navigating Youth Sports by Brian Smith, Ed Uszynski
- Don't Waste Your Sports by C. J. Mahaney
- Excellence: The Heart and Soul in Sports by Fellowship of Christian Athletes
- Integrity: The Heart and Soul in Sports by Fellowship of Christian Athletes
- Serving: The Heart and Soul in Sports by Fellowship of Christian Athletes
- Teamwork: The Heart and Soul in Sports by Fellowship of Christian Athletes
- The Christian Athlete: Glorifying God in Sports by Brian Smith
- The Heart of an Athlete: Daily Devotions for Peak Performance by Fellowship of Christian Athletes
- The Heart of a Coach: Daily Devotions for Leading by Example by Fellowship of Christian Athletes
About Coaching
Articles:
- 6 Ways for Coaches to Integrate Faith and Sports
- A Coach's Influence
- Building Like Nehemiah: Faith-Driven Leadership for Coaches and Captains
- Coaching: The Art and Weight of Leadership
- Every Role Counts
- The Coaching Shift We All Need: Why a Different Approach is the Winning One
- The Power of a Praying Coach
- The Volunteer Coach Pipeline: Where Churches Find (and Keep) Quality Coaches
Books:
- The Heart of a Coach: Daily Devotions for Leading by Example by Fellowship of Christian Athletes
- The Mentor Leader: Secrets to Building People and Teams That Win Consistently by Tony Dungy
About Sports ministry
Articles:
- 3 Practices for Ministering to Student Athletes
- Biblical Perspective on Sports Ministry: Balancing Faith & Athletics
- Do Church Sports Ministries Really Work?
- How Is Sports Ministry Being Used in Churches?
- How Sports Ministry is the Answer to Reaching Families in your Community
- What is Sports Ministry?
Books:
- In the Arena: The Promise of Sports for Christian Discipleship by David E. Prince
- Recreation and Sports Ministry: Impacting the Postmodern Culture by John C Garner
Organizations:
Resources:
The Outdoors
The Great Outdoors Display the Glory of God
Articles:
Books:
- Christian Outdoor Leadership: Theology, Theory, and Practice: How to use Time in the Wilderness and Backcountry Adventure Camping for Leadership ... Learning and Bible Study Resources by Ashley Denton
- Outdoorsman Bible eBook
Video Study:
- Close Encounters: A Video Study by Jason Cruise
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Travel
Traveling & Vacations Expand Outreach Opportunities
Books:
- Educational Travel on a Shoestring: Frugal Family Fun and Learning Away from Home
- The Christian Traveler's Companion: The USA and Canada
- The Christian Travel Planner
- Vacations With A Purpose: A Handbook for Your Short-Term Missions Experience
- Vacations with a Purpose: A Planning Handbook for Your Short-Term Missions Team
Resources for Traveling:
You Might Also Be Interested in These Resources:
TV / Video
Use the Media like TV & Video to the Glory of God
Articles:
DVDs:
Helpful Sites:
Misc.
No Matter What Your Sports or Recreational Interest, Be A Light Where You Are
For Motorcyclists:
Organizations:
For Racers:
Organizations:
For Rodeo / Cowboys:
Organizations:
These ministry resources serve as a reminder to let your light shine for Jesus in all you do, including sports and other recreational activities. Enjoy your times of leisure but remember that we never break from loving and glorifying Him.