Sportianity

From Professional Soccer to Faith: How Christ Shapes Athletic Excellence and Leadership with Paul Christensen

Wed, 27 May 2026 09:00:00 +0000

In this interview, Paul Christensen shares his journey of faith, his soccer career, and how his Christian beliefs shaped his approach to competition, coaching, and life. Discover practical insights on maintaining spiritual health, balancing performance with faith, and mentoring others through biblical principles.

Gospel-Centerd Coaching with Kevin James

Wed, 20 May 2026 09:00:00 +0000

In this conversation, Caleb and Kevin James explore the concept of being gospel-centered in coaching and athletics. They discuss the importance of understanding the gospel, the character and motivations of a gospel-centered coach, and the significance of humility and servant leadership. The conversation emphasizes the need for an eternal perspective in coaching, the transformation of athletes through the gospel, and the importance of living consistently as a Christian athlete. They conclude by discussing how athletes can use their platforms for gospel conversations.

Sin and Forgiveness with Caleb and Ian

Wed, 13 May 2026 09:00:00 +0000

In this episode, Caleb Lenard and Ian Zembower explore the profound topics of sin and forgiveness from a biblical perspective. They discuss the nature of sin, how to recognize it, the importance of repentance, and the transformative power of God's forgiveness through Christ. This conversation offers practical insights for spiritual growth and restoring relationships.

Faith, Sports, and Discipleship: A Pastor's Perspective with Blake Ring

Wed, 06 May 2026 09:00:00 +0000

In this insightful interview, Dr. Blake Ring shares his journey of faith, his roles as a pastor, coach, and parent, and explores the integration of faith and sports from a pastoral perspective. Discover how sports can be a platform for discipleship, character development, and living out Christian values.

Delighting in the Church with Caleb and Ian

Wed, 29 Apr 2026 09:00:00 +0000

In this conversation, Caleb Lenard and Ian Zembower explore the significance of the Church in the Christian life, particularly for coaches. They discuss personal experiences with faith and the church, emphasizing the importance of community and the roles individuals play within it. The conversation highlights the challenges of facing adversity in both faith and sports, and the necessity of experiencing God together in community. Practical steps for coaches to engage with their teams and foster a sense of community are also shared.

The Athletic Director Interview with Jeff Smith

Wed, 22 Apr 2026 09:00:00 +0000

In this insightful interview, Jeff Smith, Prosper, TX ISD athletic director, shares his journey, leadership principles, and how faith influences his role in sports aministration. Discover practical advice for coaches, athletes, and community members on building character, maintaining sports culture, and navigating modern challenges like NIL and social media.

The André Davis Interview: Faith, Family, and Football

Wed, 15 Apr 2026 09:00:00 +0000

In this inspiring interview, André Davis (Team Development Coordinator for the Houston Texans) shares his journey from college football stardom to NFL records, and how faith, family, and purpose guide his life and work. Discover insights on maintaining faith amidst challenges, the importance of legacy, and how to find true value beyond sports.

Caring for the Physical and Spiritual Needs of Your Players with Caleb and Ian

Wed, 08 Apr 2026 09:00:00 +0000

In this conversation, Caleb and Ian explore the intersection of coaching and spiritual health, emphasizing the importance of addressing both the physical and spiritual needs of players. They discuss how coaches can serve as mentors, providing life skills and emotional support, while also fostering a deeper understanding of faith among their athletes. The dialogue highlights practical examples of how coaches can engage with their players beyond the game, creating a nurturing environment that promotes growth and development.

Interview: Navigating Anxiety in Coaching with Mel Neufeld

Wed, 01 Apr 2026 09:00:00 +0000

In this conversation, Caleb sits down with Mel Neufeld to discusses the intersection of anxiety, sports, and faith, particularly focusing on how coaches experience and manage anxiety. She emphasizes the importance of distinguishing between godly concern and sinful worry, the impact of performance anxiety on identity, and practical steps coaches can take to support their athletes. The discussion also highlights the significance of character formation in sports and the need for coaches to model a Christ-centered identity for their players.

Are You Sensitive to God's Presence? with Caleb and Ian

Wed, 25 Mar 2026 09:00:00 +0000

In this episode, Ian Zembower and Caleb Lenard explore the profound topic of sensing God's presence daily. They share personal stories, biblical insights, and practical tips on cultivating a heightened awareness of God's nearness in both big moments and routine daily life.

Interview: How Faith Shapes Leadership in Sports with Carson Meger

Wed, 18 Mar 2026 09:00:00 +0000

In this episode, Caleb sits down with Coach Carson Meger to shares his journey of faith, coaching, and life lessons learned through sports. Discover how faith shapes his approach to coaching, leadership, and personal growth, and gain practical insights for integrating faith into athletic and everyday life.

Are You Loving? with Caleb and Ian

Wed, 11 Mar 2026 09:00:00 +0000

This episode explores the biblical understanding of love, its importance in Christian life, and practical ways to cultivate genuine love in relationships, especially in coaching and leadership.

Interview: Faith on the Court with Graham Faulkner

Wed, 04 Mar 2026 10:00:00 +0000

In this episode, Caleb engages in a profound conversation with Graham Faulkner about the integration of faith in sports. Graham shares his personal journey, detailing his upbringing in Oklahoma, his passion for basketball, and the challenges he faced during his formative years, including family struggles and the impact of his faith on his athletic career. He emphasizes the importance of mentorship from coaches who not only focus on the game but also invest in the personal development of their players. Graham's testimony highlights how his faith transformed his approach to competition, allowing him to balance his identity as a Christian with the pressures of being an athlete.

Live by God's Word with Caleb and Ian

Wed, 25 Feb 2026 10:00:00 +0000

In this episode, hosts Ian Zembower and Caleb Lenard discuss the importance of being governed by God's Word, exploring how biblical teachings can guide everyday life. They reflect on personal experiences and the challenges of aligning life with spiritual principles, drawing parallels between following a coach's playbook and adhering to God's Word. The conversation emphasizes the need for critical thinking and spiritual discipline, inspired by Don Whitney's insights on spiritual health.

Resources:

Website: ⁠gritministries.com⁠
⁠Ten Questions to Diagnose Your Spiritual Health⁠ by Don Whitney
⁠Habits of Grace: Enjoying Jesus through the Spiritual Disciplines ⁠by David Mathis

Interview: The Spirit of the Game with Paul Putz

Wed, 18 Feb 2026 10:00:00 +0000

In this interveiw, Caleb and Dr. Paul Putz, Director for the Faith & Sports Institute at Baylor University, to discusses his book, 'The Spirit of the Game,' exploring the intersection of Christianity and sports. Putz emphasizes the role of coaches in shaping character and faith in athletes, the historical context of sports ministries, and the importance of spiritual disciplines for coaches. The discussion also touches on the challenges of maintaining faithfulness in a competitive sports culture and the need for community support among Christian coaches.

Resources:

The Spirit of the Game: American Christianity and Big-Time Sports by Paul Putz
Baylor's Faith and Sports Institute

Thirst for God with Caleb and Ian

Wed, 11 Feb 2026 10:00:00 +0000

In this conversation, Caleb Lenard and Ian Zembower explore the concept of spiritual thirst, particularly in the context of coaching and personal growth. They discuss the different types of spiritual thirst: the empty soul, the dry soul, and the satisfied soul, emphasizing the importance of recognizing and addressing these states. The conversation also highlights practical steps for coaches to quench their spiritual thirst through prayer, scripture, and community engagement, ultimately encouraging a deeper relationship with God.

Resources:

Website: gritministries.com
Ten Questions to Diagnose Your Spiritual Health by Don Whitney
Habits of Grace: Enjoying Jesus through the Spiritual Disciplines by David Mathis

Interview: From the Dugout to Devotion with Justin Aldridge

Wed, 04 Feb 2026 10:00:00 +0000

In this conversation, Caleb interviews Justin Aldridge about his journey through faith and sports. Justin is the founder and pastor of Garden Church, a church plant in Winter Garden, FL. He graduated from UNLV where he played baseball and is almost finished with his M.Div. from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He played professional baseball, coached baseball at the high school and collegiate level, and served as the chaplain for the New Orleans Zephyrs and the Miami Marlins AAA team. He is married to his wife Lindsey and they have three children.

The conversation explores the intersection of faith and competition, emphasizing the importance of finding one's identity in Christ rather than in performance. Justin offers insights for coaches on how to instill a gospel-centered philosophy in their programs and the significance of being a supportive figure in the lives of young athletes. He also shares practical advice for coaches on maintaining balance in their lives and the importance of community and mentorship.

Trailer: Introducing the Sportianity Podcast

Tue, 27 Jan 2026 21:30:00 +0000

In this inaugural episode of Sportianity, hosts Caleb Lenard and Ian Zembower introduce their podcast aimed at empowering coaches to integrate their faith into their coaching practices. They discuss their personal backgrounds, the importance of mentorship in sports, and the unique opportunity coaches have to influence young athletes. The episode outlines the podcast's structure, including short devotional conversations and interviews with various guests, all focused on the intersection of sports and faith.

https://gritministries.com/