Pepperdine Athletics Spiritual Life Vision
Pepperdine Athletics Spiritual Life exists to share and cultivate the love of Jesus in the hearts of our student-athletes and coaches. We desire to present unique opportunities and experiences which equip and encourage student-athletes to become fully alive as children of God.
“Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.”
Hebrews 12:1
The growth of Pepperdine’s student-athletes relationship with Jesus is at the core of what we do and who we are. Creating experiences, opportunities and conversations for this to happen is our greatest desire. Here are some ways in 2023-2024 which we did this:
Our weekly Athlete Chapel provided a place for student-athletes to engage with Athletic staff, coaches and outside speakers who invited, encouraged and challenged them in their faith.
Each chapel, a student-athlete shares a 5 minute testimony of what God is currently teaching them in life.
In the Spring, we invited student-athletes to create and share the main speaking part of Chapel. It was so special and empowering to walk and pray with them during their preparation, and then see them share their heart for Christ and what He has done in their life.
Our multiple weekly small groups, both team specific groups and combined sports groups, the ladies hosted by staff member Jenna McPherson and FCA area representative Leah Perera, and the men, hosted by Athletics Chaplain Jordan Holm and two-time World Series champion Brian Wilson, created a space for student-athletes to grow and be supported in their faith journey.
For a second consecutive summer, Pepperdine Athletics traveled to Panama with a group of student-athletes for a mission trip. Seven student-athletes representing Women’s Soccer, Basketball, and Water Polo traveled over 4,000 miles to Panama City, Panama, in order to aid local missionary outreach initiatives. Student athletes daily interacted, played, and shared personal testimonies about the love of Jesus with local school-age children.
Several coaches participated in a weekly Bible study reading through the Bible in a year.
Jordan and Jenna also consistently meet one-on-one with student-athletes for mentoring and discipleship.
Below are some reflections from student-athletes on the year.
“Being at Pepperdine has provided a rich environment for spiritual growth that surpasses any other university I’ve attended. The constant availability of supportive opportunities and people has allowed my faith to deepen profoundly. Sharing my testimony not only drew me closer to God but also forged many friendships with fellow athletes who face similar challenges.”
Connor Walsh, Baseball
“I found a very strong community of kind and devoted christians in my small group and in athlete chapel. It allowed me to know God more by discovering what He is doing in the lives of my fellow athletes. Through talking with mentors and other students about any questions, doubts, or revelations I had about my faith, I learned a lot about my relationship with God and how it can continue to grow! Athlete chapel also helped become more vocal about my faith and allowed me to be comfortable with talking to a large group of people about Jesus! Athlete chapel was always such a safe place for me to open up, always be myself, and to meet new people within athletics. I cannot imagine what my Pepperdine experience would be like without my time at athlete chapel!”
Ellie Hendren, Swim
“Being able to do life with your teammates on and off the field is something extremely special. The bond built through growing our faith together off the field helped build our brotherhood. Growing stronger in our faith through small group made us better and more accountable with our faith acted out every day. I can’t wait to get back to small group this fall.”
Cooper Martin, Baseball
“Small group is awesome. Just getting to spend time reading and learning about Jesus in general is always so life giving, but then add to that an amazing group of women who have become some of my closest battle buddies and friends. This time is often the highlight of my week and I am super grateful to be a part of it.”
Caroline Coleman, Soccer
“I was blessed to be able to go on my first mission trip to Panama with an amazing group of people who are filled with God’s spirit. Being able to go to a different country and share how God is in all of our lives and how He impacted my life was an opportunity of a lifetime.”
Matty Walsh, Water Polo
“My time is Panamá was filled with so much joy from the Lord. I was able to share my story with a group of high school students and let them know that being a Christian is not easy but the Lord is with you every step of the way. I was able to create bonds with fellow student athletes at Pepperdine that I never thought I would create relationships with. And lastly I was able to see the Lord work in my life and show me the joy I have when I am seeking him and honoring him. The week is Panamá was truly something special and I am extremely grateful the Lord blessed me with this opportunity.”
Tori Waldeck, Soccer
Source link : https://pepperdinewaves.com/sports/2024/7/30/spirituallife.aspx
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Publish date : 2024-07-31 02:11:36
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