Reaching Endurance Athletes for Christ - Principle #2

Basic principle #2: “relationship, relationship, relationship”

Endurance sports are not called “lifestyle sports” for nothing! If you think about it, we all pattern our lives around our sport(s). We have a job, a family, our sports – and because we’re good Christians, we have church stuff. We’re BUSY…and so are the endurance athletes we’re trying to reach for Christ.

One way we mitigate interruptions is by choosing carefully the people with whom we will interact. Family, friends and co-workers are welcome - that’s it. The Jehovah’s witness whom we meet at the gas station or the sales rep at the race peddling something we have no interest in simply blend into a mêlée of voices shouting for our attention. We don’t listen to “just anyone”. Looking from the perspective of a non-believer, we Christian athletes also simply blend into the cacophony of voices THEY tune out – unless…

Unless we do something different. The really neat thing is that while we’re outside their regular circle of family, friends and co-workers, we already have an in with them – a shared love of our unique sport!

Therefore the work before us simply involves using our God-given passion for sport to get beyond a passing conversation at a race. And that takes…(uh-oh!)…time…and intentionality! But what an opportunity we have to establish a relationship through shared rides, runs, skates, etc. And through RELATIONSHIP earn an audience with this individual who is so precious to the Shepherd that He leaves the rest of the flock just to seek him/her.

Will you take the time to intentionally build that relationship through which Jesus Christ will be shared? Will you encourage your Huddle members to do the same?