As I reflect upon our ministry’s 10-year anniversary, I am reminded of one of the first Bible verses I remember reading in college, 2 Corinthians 5:7. In it, the apostle Paul states, “For we walk by faith, not by sight.” What is Faith? The word “faith” can evoke many different sentiments. We often hear phrases like “take a leap of faith," “keep the faith,” or “faith moves mountains.” But, what is faith, really? Is it a positive feeling of hope or a mantra to make us feel good? The faith that Paul is referring to is neither of those things because it is one not dependent on our present realities or hopes that things will work out. It is faith and dependency on the person of Jesus Christ. I would summarize faith as simply putting our hope and trust in God versus ourselves. This faith can perhaps be best understood through the comparisons he makes earlier in the letter of 2 Corinthians 4:16-17. “16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all." A Journey Defined by Faith, Not Sight Throughout the brief history of USG, we have faced challenges that have forced us to live by faith, not by sight. I would love to be able to say that it has become exactly what I believed it would be when I first wrote my class project or point out the strategic decisions and hard work we’ve done to reach 10 years as an organization. But the reality of it is, it can only be explained through faith and the work of Christ. There have been ideas that we were certain would be successful, but have failed. We’ve had seasons where we were confident we’d receive a donation only to find out that it did not go through. Yet, there have also been projects we thought would be ineffective that have proven fruitful. We’ve received provisions that we never knew we needed at the perfect time that turned out to be pivotal. All of these ups and downs have continuously helped our organization understand again and again that our hope is in Him, not in ourselves. The Provision of the Lord Uncommon Sports Group has been incredibly blessed with talented staff, Board Members, supporters, and members whom God has worked through these past 10 years. There has certainly been no shortage of successes that He has allowed us to experience, whether that be equipping future leaders, orchestrating mission trips, or leading professional development opportunities. We certainly believe that God has used Uncommon Sports Group to help hundreds if not thousands of individuals come to know Him more. Our hope, however, is not in any of these programs or numbers, but instead is in a perfect and eternal God Who promises to use all things for our good and His glory. Sometimes this will include things we’ve been intentionally pursuing, other times it will inevitably include things that do not make sense from an earthly standpoint. Regardless, we press on to walk by faith, not by sight. If you’re unfamiliar with Uncommon Sports Group, its programs, or its ministry, get connected through the form on our home page or check out the Uncommon Podcast. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We’d love to hear from you!

Every Christian reading this would agree that the teachings of Jesus can be difficult to understand. His wisdom, being the God of Creation, is far beyond our understanding (Isaiah 55:8-9). In this blog series, we will unpack some of the most difficult teachings from Jesus, from Matthew chapters 5-7; the illustrious Sermon on the Mount. Each blog will touch on a different teaching from Jesus within His most famous sermon in an effort to help us apply His teachings to our lives as Christians working in the sport industry. In our third blog of the Sermon on the Mount series, we will seek to better understand and apply Jesus’ claim to be the fulfillment of the Law (Matthew 5:17) and His radical call to righteousness (Matthew 5:20). What is the Law? For starters, it is important to understand what Jesus is talking about when discussing the Law. Rest assured that He is not talking about the United States Constitution, but rather, He is talking about the Old Testament Scriptures. In Jesus’ day, the Jewish people would refer to the Old Testament as the Law and the Prophets. The Law includes the books within the Pentateuch: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. The Prophets include the remainder of the Old Testament writings from Joshua to Malachi. Jesus as the Fulfillment of the Law As Jesus continues to work through His illustrious Sermon on the Mount, He makes a very clear point that He had not come to abolish or oppose the Old Testament teachings and Scriptures, but rather He came to fulfill them and expose the many oppressive and incorrect interpretations of the Law and the Prophets that were circulating Jewish leadership in His day and age. In Matthew 5:17, Jesus says, “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.” The clearest point that Jesus makes in this statement is that He did not come to add or subtract from the Old Testament but rather to become the complete fulfillment of all that the Old Testament had taught and prophesied. Despite his many challenges to the Pharisees and teachers of His day, Jesus never broke the Law of God and perfectly lived out what no other man will ever be able to live out: perfect obedience to God’s law. Jesus fulfilled the Law and the Prophets in four important facets. Jesus fulfilled the doctrinal teachings of the Old Testament Scriptures by bringing a full revelation to those teachings. Jesus fulfilled the Messianic prophecies throughout the Old Testament, proving He is God’s Messiah. Jesus fulfilled the moral and legal demands of the Old Testament in that He lived in complete obedience to them and reinterpreted them in their actual meaning and truth. Lastly, Jesus fulfilled the penalty for sin described in the Old Testament for us by His death on the cross, bearing the punishment for sin that we, as sinners, deserve. Paul further solidifies Jesus’ statement in Romans 10:4, “Christ is the culmination of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes.” Jesus is the culmination, fulfillment, and completion of the Law and the Prophets, a feat that sinful man will never be able to achieve on his own. The Authority of God’s Word In Matthew 5:18, Jesus follows up his previous statement by stating, “For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of the pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.” Jesus’ words in this verse underscore how highly God regards His Word. In the King James Version (KJV) of the Bible, this verse is translated as “one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.” The ‘dot’ refers to the smallest letter in the Hebrew alphabet, and the ‘tittle’ is a small mark in a Hebrew letter, such as the cross on a ‘t’ or the tail on a ‘y’. In stating this, Jesus shows that not just the ideas of God’s Word will be accomplished, but every single Word will be accomplished. This, once again, highlights how highly God holds His Word, and we, as His followers, should be sure to do the same. Along with the fact that Jesus confirms the powerful authority of God’s Word in this statement, He also provides believers with some encouragement. First, it is a reminder that while we as sinners can never fulfill the Law and the Prophets under our own power, Jesus did so through His perfect obedience to the Law and His death on the cross, which is the substitutionary atonement for our due punishment for sin. Paul states this reality so eloquently in Romans 8:3-4, “For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully me in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.” Furthermore, Christ encourages us that God’s plan for the world will never be set aside until all things are fulfilled at the end of the age. The Least of These Commands In Matthew 5:19, Jesus continues His teaching regarding the Law and Prophets by stating, “Therefore anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.” Jesus once again highlights the authority and importance of the Law and the Prophets. He is in no way dismissing any of the commands and teachings within the Old Testament but rather makes it a point to state that not a single one should be set aside. This point is further validated by the half-brother of Jesus in James 2:10, “For whoever keeps the whole law yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it.” The Law carries so much authority that even breaking one point of it results in that person being guilty of breaking all of it. In the latter part of this verse, Jesus promises that the one who practices and teaches the fullness of the Law and the Prophets will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. This statement can be understood in two ways. The first is that Christian preachers should be sure to teach all of the commands of God without dismissing a single one. Any person who dismisses a command of God is unworthy of the kingdom of God. Secondly, it can be understood that Jesus wants us to see that it is utterly impossible to obey every command of the Law and that our righteousness cannot be achieved through legalistic observance of the law. This realization pushes us to seek justification through Christ (Galatians 2:21), and Christ sends us back to the law to understand God's heart for how we live so that we may be sanctified (Romans 3:31). Setting the Bar High In Matthew 5:20, Jesus raises the bar for all of His listeners by saying, “For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.” In Jesus’ day, there was no group of people more diligent in keeping the Law than the Pharisees and the teachers of the Law. In fact, the Pharisees were so meticulous in keeping the commands of the Law that they would even tithe from the spices in their herb gardens (Matthew 23:23). From the perspective of those listening to this sermon, it was impossible to surpass the righteousness of the Pharisees and teachers of the law. Nobody was more careful in their obedience to the Law than them. Jesus purposefully set the bar impossibly high to underscore once again the people’s need for His righteousness and not their own. This reality is described in 2 Corinthians 5:21, “God made him sin who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” We are not made righteous by keeping the Law, even if we are as meticulous as the Pharisees and teachers of the Law. Rather, we are made righteous through the righteousness imparted to us through the life, death, and resurrection of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Conclusion Jesus reminded His listeners that the Law and the Prophets have, and will forever have, ultimate authority. As followers of Jesus, we cannot ignore the commands and teachings of the Law because it is the Law that exposes the depth of our sinfulness (Romans 7:7). In revealing our sinfulness, the Law drives us to the feet of Jesus and makes us realize that only He can make us right in the sight of God. This is what Jesus was saying to the Pharisees in Matthew 23:27 when He calls them whitewashed tombs. They have an outward appearance of righteousness but are nothing but dead bones on the inside. True righteousness is found in Christ, and through trusting in Him, we are justified (Romans 5:1). If you’re unfamiliar with Uncommon Sports Group, its programs, or its ministry, get connected through the form on our home page or check out the Uncommon Podcast. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We’d love to hear from you!

This past month, Uncommon Sports Group's innovative Clean Out For A Cause® operation received 15,237 pounds of sports equipment and apparel donations from individuals working in collegiate and professional sports teams nationwide. As a non-profit organization, Uncommon Sports Group's initiatives are funded directly by the donations that our Clean Out For A Cause® program produces. These donations are monetized through our unique e-commerce operation, which funds our missions, services, and educational activities. In this blog, the impact of this month's donations will be reflected to highlight the awesome work happening through each and every donation we receive! The USG Academy Uncommon Sports Group's mission is to come alongside Christ-followers within the college and pro sport industry. Part of that mission is accomplished through the USG Academy program. This eight-week virtual development course gives young professionals in the sport industry an opportunity to grow in their personal relationships with Christ through challenging daily devotionals and staff-led discipleship and elevate their professionalism through practical professional development tools. Beginning at the end of July, Uncommon Sports Group launched its 12th USG Academy group. Because of our faithful Clean Out For A Cause® donors, fifteen young professionals received a one-of-a-kind development experience, strengthening their discipleship of Jesus while providing them with training to give them an 'edge' in pursuing a career in collegiate of professional sports. Israel Impact Trip This past July, Uncommon Sports Group traveled to Israel for its summer Impact Trip with eleven members and two staff. This trip provided each member with an opportunity to engage with hands-on ministry experience through a local Baptist Day Camp. The camp hosted hundreds of Messianic Jewish children throughout the week. The team also had the chance to tour some of the most well-known Biblical landmarks, including the Sea of Galilee and the Garden of Gethsemane. International trips such as these are the meat and potatoes, so to speak, of Uncommon Sports Group's impact, and without our faithful donors through the Clean Out For A Cause program, trips such as these are not possible! The innovative Clean Out For A Cause® operation and the hundreds of donors that provide used and excess sports gear to the initiative consistently are essential in providing the impact that Uncommon Sports Group has seen in hundreds of lives throughout the college and pro sport industry. Uncommon Sports Group and Clean Out For A Cause® sincerely thank you for being willing to support our cause! If you want to support Uncommon Sports Group's mission to develop Christ-centered future leaders of the sport industry, request a free Clean Out For A Cause® donation box and shipping label here. Or, shop at one of our e-commerce sites here! If you'd like to connect with USG, or have questions about our organization or programs, please contact us. We'd love to hear from you.

Many Christians can relate to being brought up as Christian but have never truly dived into what it means to believe. I was that way with my faith for the longest time; I was taught to attend church on a Sunday, read scripture, and believe in the resurrection of Christ. However, if it weren’t for missionaries going overseas in the 1800s, my family wouldn’t have been one of many to know Christ. We, as Christians, are called to “go and make disciples.” Mission trips, especially those overseas, are a great way to connect with God through various cultures. But what is a mission trip? And why is it important? What is a Mission Trip? There are two types of mission trips: faith-based and non-faith-based mission trips. At the heart of a mission trip is the giving of one's time to provide voluntary services or support. The goal is to uplift and provide for the needs of those being served. A Christian mission trip does the same thing but involves spiritual outreach, sharing the gospel to introduce those they’ve served to Jesus. Why is it important? It is essential as a Christian to consider going on a mission trip because it provides you with new perspectives, cross-cultural experiences, and valuable lessons and skills. Most importantly, it allows you to connect with God on a deeper level. Gaining new perspectives Doing service work teaches one to be humble, putting others before oneself, and allows one to gain new perspectives on life’s purpose. It teaches one to be patient with others, especially when there’s a cultural difference. Therefore leading you to gain cross-cultural experiences. Cross-Cultural Experiences There are many things one needs to be aware of when going overseas on a mission trip. Understanding the cultural differences of your destination location is key. This new experience will help you grow, teaching you to reflect on life differently. These new experiences help one reflect on oneself and, most importantly, reflect more precisely on how God works in your life. Learn Valuable Lessons and Skills Missions trips will also teach you the importance of being aware of those around you, especially those of different cultural backgrounds. It’ll give you the skill to connect with others on a deeper level, knowing that one’s environment, culture, and experience are different than yours. All these new perspectives, cross-cultural experiences, and lessons will ultimately lead you to connect with God. Connecting with God We, as Christians, are called to serve and help those around us. Mission trips allow you to fulfill that calling. The new experiences will allow you to share the gospel and your love for God with others. It’ll also teach you that there’s more than one way to connect with God. When you are serving others, you are showing what it means to be like Christ, allowing God to shine through you. Conclusion: Embracing the Transformational Power of Mission Trips In a world full of diverse cultures and unique perspectives, mission trips are a great way to receive profound personal growth and spiritual enrichment. These journeys of service and faith offer a chance to embody the biblical directive to "go and make disciples," connecting deeply with God while touching the lives of others. By exploring new boundaries, embracing cross-cultural experiences, and gaining valuable life lessons and skills, mission trips can be crucial for spiritual growth. If you are considering going on a mission trip, here are some bible references to reflect on: Matthew 5:14-16; Matthew 20:26-28; Matthew 28: 19-20; John 13:12-14; Galatians 5:13-14; and Acts 20:24. Are you interested in learning more about Uncommon Sports Group or getting involved? Click here to contact a staff member, or click here to apply for our USG Academy!

Have you ever questioned your faith in Jesus, or wondered how you could be certain that Christianity is true? As followers of Christ, it is important to not just know what we believe, but why we believe it. In this episode of the Uncommon Podcast, Christian apologist and president of Cross Examined, Dr. Frank Turek, joins the show to answer four questions that prove Christianity to be true. A new episode of the Uncommon Podcast is released every two weeks. You can find it on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, right here on our website, or wherever you get your podcasts. Check out this week's episode, and be sure to subscribe to our podcast to get alerts when new episodes are released! Curious about Uncommon Sports Group and what our ministry has to offer? Contact us to learn more here! Do you want to join the largest community of future Christian leaders of the college and pro sport industry? Apply to join here!

Andrew Johnson has been involved with Uncommon Sports Group, formerly Managers On A Mission (MOAM), since 2017 when he traveled to Mzuzu, Malawi, for an international mission trip with MOAM. Since then, Andrew has stayed involved with Uncommon Sports Group and, just this summer traveled to Israel for an Impact Trip with a group of USG members and staff. In this episode of the Uncommon Podcast, Andrew shares both of his international experiences with MOAM/USG, the impact those experiences had on his career in athletic equipment, and his career journey through both the college and professional levels of equipment. A new episode of the Uncommon Podcast is released every two weeks. You can find it on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, right here on our website, or wherever you get your podcasts. Check out this week's episode, and be sure to subscribe to our podcast to get alerts when new episodes are released! Curious about Uncommon Sports Group and what our ministry has to offer? Contact us to learn more here! Do you want to join the largest community of future Christian leaders of the college and pro sport industry? Apply to join here!

In 2020, Minnesota Vikings Director of Equipment Services Mike Parson was unexpectedly terminated in his role as Director of Equipment Services with the Houston Texans. In this episode of the Uncommon Podcast, Mike discusses this difficult season of his career, how he navigated it from a Christ-centered lens, and his journey toward returning to the National Football League as a Director of Equipment Services with the Vikings. A new episode of the Uncommon Podcast is released every two weeks. You can find it on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, right here on our website, or wherever you get your podcasts. Check out this week's episode, and be sure to subscribe to our podcast to get alerts when new episodes are released! Curious about Uncommon Sports Group and what our ministry has to offer? Contact us to learn more here! Do you want to join the largest community of future Christian leaders of the college and pro sport industry? Apply to join here!

Every Christian reading this would agree that the teachings of Jesus are difficult to understand. His wisdom, being the God of Creation, is far beyond our own understanding (Isaiah 55:8-9). In this blog series, we will unpack some of the most difficult teachings from Jesus which come from Matthew 5-7 in the illustrious Sermon on the Mount. Each blog will touch on a different teaching from Jesus within His most famous sermon in an effort to help you apply His teachings to your life as a Christian working in the sport industry. In our second blog of the Sermon on the Mount series, we’ll help you better understand and apply Jesus’ teachings on being the salt of the earth (Matthew 5:13) and the light of the world (Matthew 5:14). Salt of the Earth As discussed in our first blog unpacking the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus is teaching directly to His disciples (Matthew 5:1-2) with the crowds listening to Him teach. Jesus begins His teaching on salt and light by stating in Matthew 5:13 that His disciples were the salt of the earth. It is important to note that Jesus is not calling everyone in the crowd the salt of the earth, but specifically His followers. Being called the salt of the earth was a big deal in Jesus’ day. Unlike today, salt was a precious and valued commodity in the ancient world. Roman soldiers would occasionally be paid with salt because of its high value. So, Jesus is claiming that His followers would be a precious and valued resource not only for His purposes but for the benefit of those they would influence. Salt was in Jesus’ day and is in our day used as a preservative. Similarly, Jesus notes that His disciples would ‘preserve’ themselves and those around them who obeyed the message they were teaching. Furthermore, the message and teachings of Jesus would be preserved through the disciples and their teachings, as they continue to be preserved today! Lastly, salt adds flavor. Jesus’ followers would not only add flavor but present a new flavor to both Jews and Gentiles (Romans 10:12). In our modern-day context, we can add flavor to our environment by the way we choose to live and through the message of the gospel. Jesus also notes in Matthew 5:13 the dangers that come with losing your saltiness. “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.” The glaring question from this verse is, how can we lose our saltiness as followers of Jesus? Salt without saltiness is worthless because it can no longer provide any of the benefits people seek from it. Similarly, a disciple without a genuine faith in Jesus that plays itself out through good deeds (James 2:26) is useless. As Jesus states in this verse, for those that do not have a faith in Christ that gives their life ‘flavor,’ there will be divine judgment, which Jesus describes as being thrown out and trampled. The Light of the World Similarly to Jesus calling His disciples the salt of the earth (Matthew 5:13), Jesus calls His followers the light of the world in Matthew 5:14. “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.” In saying this, Jesus gives His followers a great compliment and an even greater responsibility. In John 8:12, Jesus calls Himself the light of the world. “When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” As disciples of Christ, we not only receive His light, but we reflect that light (Acts 1:8). In a simple sense, we know that the purpose of light is to reveal what is true and real. If you are driving along the road at night, you naturally have your headlights on so that you can see the direction you are heading. This title of being the light of the world is very similar to the purpose of light. We are called as followers of Jesus to reveal the truth of who God is and what His gospel of salvation is (1 John 1:7). Jesus provides another example for His disciples on the effect of being the light of the world in Matthew 5:14 by stating, “A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.” A town that is built on a hill is visible from long distances. Imagine driving to New York City. You could see the massive skyscrapers for miles and miles before you actually entered the city. Similarly, Jesus wants His followers' lives to attract the attention of those around them. Our light should shine in such a way that it would be impossible to be hidden. Our conversion cannot and should not be hidden! Jesus gives yet another example for His disciples on their call to be the light of the world in Matthew 5:15, “Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.” It seems obvious that nobody would put a lamp under a bowl, as the bowl would drown out the light, and the light that the lamp provides would be buried. Instead, it would make sense to place the lamp on a stand so that its light would fill the room. This is exactly what Jesus is getting at. If we smother our light that comes from Jesus (1 Peter 2:9), we eliminate the ability for Jesus to be light for those around us. However, if we proclaim our faith through word and deed, the light of Christ will shine in our lives like a lamp on a stand. Jesus states something similar in the final portion of this message on salt and light in Matthew 5:16, “In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” If we allow our light to shine before others, as a town on a hill cannot be hidden, and a lamp shines from a stand, our good deeds will be seen, and the name of our Father will be glorified. This is a high calling from the Lord and not one to be taken lightly. We are glory reflectors! Conclusion Jesus had a high calling for His disciples in this portion of the Sermon on the Mount. They were called to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world. As His disciples in the modern era, our calling is no different. If we genuinely trust and follow Jesus, then we know our responsibility is to add flavor to the people we touch through the message of Christ’s love and grace, as well as be a light to the world around us. If you are a Christian working in the sport industry, our prayer is that you would strive to be salt and light in a space that desperately needs the love and mercy that only comes through Jesus Christ. If you’re unfamiliar with Uncommon Sports Group, its programs, or its ministry, get connected through the form on our home page or check out the Uncommon Podcast. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We’d love to hear from you!

Uncommon Sports Group provided eleven of its members with the opportunity to travel to Israel for a two-week-long Impact Trip. For the two weeks in the Holy Land, USG served a group of Messianic Jewish children at a day camp through sports, worship, Scripture memorization, and other activities, as well as doing sight-seeing to various locations, including the Dead Sea, the Sea of Galilee, and the Mount of Olives. USG member and Assistant Women's Basketball Coach at Northern Kentucky University Mallory Odell shared a testimony of her experience in the Holy Land with Uncommon Sports Group and the impact the trip had on her: "My time in Israel was nothing short of amazing. I tried not to have many expectations or preconceived notions going into the trip, but it absolutely exceeded anything I could have thought or imagined. We flew into Tel Aviv and spent a week at the Baptist Village serving as coaches (or any other role as needed!). This week was so powerful. It was absolutely incredible to see how present the Lord is in the lives of the children we got to spend time with and to see how eager they are to pursue a relationship with Him. They also had so much knowledge of scripture, which was super encouraging. We had the opportunity to do so many different activities with them and spent a lot of time together in prayer, worship, sharing meals, dancing, doing art projects, and of course, playing sports – oh, and eating snacks (snacks were probably their favorite part)! It was special to see how athletics can be used to connect people across different locations, languages, age groups, and genders. This week also served as a reminder that sports can and should be very personal and have the power to impact people’s lives in an incredibly positive way if given the opportunity. This is a good mentality to carry with us as we return to our jobs and careers within the industry, which can sometimes feel disconnected, impersonal, or business-like. We are still working with, and for those same children we had the privilege to encounter – just in a different version or context. I pray we remain humble, compassionate, patient, and kind in our jobs as we approach these children. May we all operate with a spirit of gentleness and be reminded of the power and influence we hold through our position in the sports industry. The next week spent touring and sightseeing was truly a life-changing experience. Getting to walk and see the very same locations that Jesus walked is absolutely awe-inspiring. It was also extremely intimate. I am so grateful for our tour guide, as he provided scripture and context to each location we visited and historical and political insights. He added so much value to our trip and made each stop come to life. This trip also opened my eyes to all the things that I do not yet know and served as an imperative reminder that there is always more to learn. Upon returning to the States, I have been inspired and reminded to stay deeply within His word. There is so much to learn and know, and luckily for us it is written out very intentionally in the Bible. I am so excited to read scripture with the newfound context, understanding, and visuals I have gained from this trip. It has also created a unique avenue to share the gospel with others. I cannot thank USG enough for this opportunity and for making this trip possible. Lastly, I got to share this incredible experience with such a special group of people that USG has brought together. It was such a joy to make new connections and friendships that will last a lifetime. We laughed together, ate together, spent A LOT of time together, asked questions, shared testimonies, prayed together, and served together. It was a treat to see such selflessness, servitude, and love for the Lord clearly on display." It was encouraging to see the impact that the two-week trip had on this group of Christ-centered leaders within the college and pro sport industry. Learn more about USG's Impact Trip to Israel with the link here. Are you interested in learning more about Uncommon Sports Group or getting involved? Click here to contact a staff member, or click here to apply for our USG Academy!

Chris Flegler's career journey has been nothing short of a roller coaster. From having to step away from coaching for a period of time to being one of the oldest Graduate Assistant coaches in the country, Chris has been through it all. In this episode of the Uncommon Podcast, Chris shares what led him to pursue a career in coaching, his experience coaching at smaller institutions, why he decided to leave coaching to work for Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA), how he was able to manage being in a Graduate Assistant role over ten years into his coaching career. A new episode of the Uncommon Podcast is released every two weeks. You can find it on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, right here on our website, or wherever you get your podcasts. Check out this week's episode, and be sure to subscribe to our podcast to get alerts when new episodes are released! Curious about Uncommon Sports Group and what our ministry has to offer? Contact us to learn more here! Do you want to join the largest community of future Christian leaders of the college and pro sport industry? Apply to join here!

Every Christian reading this would agree that the teachings of Jesus are difficult to understand. His wisdom, being the God of Creation, is far beyond our own understanding (Isaiah 55:8-9). In this blog series, we will unpack some of the most difficult teachings from Jesus, which come from Matthew 5-7 in the illustrious Sermon on the Mount. Each blog will touch on different teachings from Jesus found within His most famous sermon, in an effort to help you apply His teachings to your life as a Christian working in the sport industry. In our first blog of the Sermon on the Mount series, we’ll unpack the introduction of the sermon and the Beatitudes, which come from Matthew 5:1-12. Introduction to the Sermon on the Mount At Uncommon Sports Group, we believe firmly that all of the Bible is breathed out by God and useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness (2 Timothy 3:16). Therefore, it is necessary to understand and apply every aspect of God’s Word, even the introductions to passages, such as we see in Matthew 5:1-2. The disciple Matthew, inspired by the Holy Spirit, writes in Matthew 5:1-2, “Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, and he began to teach them.” In verse one, we see that Jesus saw the crowds and responded by sitting down. It is important to note that in this cultural context, teachers would be seated, and hearers would stand. In choosing to sit down upon seeing the crowds, Jesus was making a conscious decision to begin teaching the crowds around Him. Secondly, we see that Jesus taught directly to the disciples while the crowds listened from the outside. This is an important aspect of the sermon because Jesus’ disciples would use Jesus’ teachings in this sermon throughout their ministry and at the beginning of the early church. The Beatitudes The Beatitudes are a well-known portion of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount. The title, The Beatitudes, means the blessings. In these teachings, Jesus shares character traits that make up His followers. These blessings are the nature and aspirations of citizens of heaven. No Christian will master these traits, but they should be evident in the lives of any follower of Christ. Poor in Spirit In the first blessing found in Matthew 5:3, Jesus says, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” The initial thought for many readers of this passage is that Jesus desires His followers to be poor financially. However, it is important to note that the poverty Jesus is talking about here is not financial poverty but spiritual poverty. This beatitude comes first because this is where we start with God. Charles Spurgeon, a well-known preacher from the 19th century, said, “Not what I have, but what I have not, is the first point of contact, between my soul and God. Jesus, being our Maker, knows that we cannot provide anything to Him spiritually. Note that Jesus did not say blessed are those who are Holy, pure, and wonderful. Rather, He said that those who are blessed are poor in spirit and can bring nothing to the table of God besides a broken heart and a sinful life. Lastly, Jesus states that the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to those who are poor in spirit. Our minds think that the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to righteous people. But it is clear in Scripture that none are righteous, but all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23), therefore, the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to those who recognize their brokenness and run to God for healing and restoration from sin. Those Who Mourn In the second blessing found in Matthew 5:4, Jesus says, “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.” The Greek word for mourning found in this verse is the most intense version of mourning found in the Greek language. It is not a mourning that one would experience after a bad shot on the golf course, but rather a mourning that one would experience when a loved one passes away. It is a blessing to mourn because those who mourn over their sinful and fallen state are those who desire to be restored from that fallen state and forgiven of their sin. For those that do not mourn, there isn’t a desire to be cured of the fallen state that we are in. Paul describes this further in 2 Corinthians 7:10, “Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.” Those who mourn are blessed because Jesus states that they will be comforted. God allows this mourning over sin into our lives as a path, not a destination. Our recognition of our fallen state and our hatred for our sin is the catalyst that draws us to God because we know we need His grace and mercy. Jesus’ suffering on the cross just a few years after this sermon would provide those who mourn with the freedom and fellowship with God that they seek, providing comfort to all who believe in Christ's death and resurrection (Romans 10:9-10). The Meek In the third blessing found in Matthew 5:5, Jesus says, “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.” It is challenging for us to understand the meaning of the word meek because it is not a word that we commonly use in our contemporary conversations. A meek person submits to the proper authority and disregards one’s rights and privileges. In the Christian context, a meek person submits and conforms to God’s Word and will, as well as being gentle, humble, patient, and longsuffering with people around them. In our American culture, a meek person might be viewed as a pushover. However, those who are meek are those who trust that God watches over His people and will protect their cause. Jesus’ promise that the meek will inherit the earth is a reminder that He will not allow His people to be pushed over but rather will be the One who will overcome the earth for them (John 16:33). It is also important to note that the three qualities Jesus has mentioned thus far in the blessings are not found in the natural man but are only found once a fallen man has been changed by the Holy Spirit and salvation through Christ (Ephesians 4:22-24). Jesus is teaching that the person who is blessed is the person who relies on Him for salvation from sin and death and a renewed heart. Those Who Hunger & Thirst In the fourth blessing found in Matthew 5:6, Jesus says, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.” As humans, we hunger for many things including food, comfort, finances, spouses, happiness, etc. But how often do we hunger for righteousness? A hunger and thirst for righteousness are expressed through a desire for a righteous nature, a desire to be sanctified into the character and nature of God, a desire to continue a life that represents God’s righteousness, and a desire to see righteousness promoted in the world. Jesus calls this kind of person blessed because they desire something that only He can give them, which is why He says that this kind of person will be filled or satisfied. This filling not only satisfies the person who desires righteousness but also gives them a desire for more. The Merciful In the fifth blessing found in Matthew 5:7, Jesus says, “Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.” The most important question to answer in this passage is what it means to be merciful. A person who is merciful will show mercy to the weaker and poorer individual. The one who is merciful will be aware of those who weep and mourn. The one who is merciful will show forgiveness to others and seek to restore broken relationships. The one who is merciful will choose to think the best of people whenever possible. The one who is merciful will show compassion to those who are outwardly sinful. Lastly, the one who is merciful will care for the souls of all men. If we desire to receive mercy from God, then it is expected that we will be merciful toward others. This is what Jesus describes in the Parable of the Unmerciful Servant (Matthew 18:21-38) when the servant who receives mercy for his debts does not show mercy to his debtors. For those who have received mercy, they will reflect the mercy they have been given, and that is exactly the blessing that Jesus is describing in this verse. As Christians, we know that we need God’s mercy and that it is a calling over our lives to be merciful to others. The Pure in Heart In the sixth blessing found in Matthew 5:8, Jesus says, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.” In ancient Greek, the definition of a pure heart is straightness, honesty, and clarity. This description of a pure heart that Jesus uses here can have two meanings. The first is one who has inner moral purity, and the second is one who has an undivided heart that is solely devoted to God. The blessing that comes with a pure heart is the ability to see God. Those who are blinded by sin (2 Corinthians 4:4) cannot see God. The pure-hearted person can see God in nature, in Scripture, and in their church family. The motivation for our pure living is not to earn salvation (Ephesians 2:8-9) but rather to increase our intimacy with God. The Peacemakers In the seventh blessing found in Matthew 5:9, Jesus says, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” In this description of being a peacemaker, Jesus is not necessarily talking about worldly peace, but rather those who are on a mission to bring about peace between God and man through the message of the gospel. This is known as the ministry of reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:18-19), in which God desires to reconcile the world to Himself in Christ. The reward of being a peacemaker is being recognized as a child of the living God, as Jesus describes in this verse. As God’s children, we share His passion for the reconciliation of lost sinners (Luke 19:10) and the breaking down of walls between man and God. Those Who Are Persecuted The final two blessings are found in Matthew 5:10-12 where Jesus says, “Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” As a Christian who is in pursuit of Christ and the righteousness He calls us to live out, suffering is imminent. Paul writes clearly in 2 Timothy 3:12, “In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.” Jesus reminds us here that while we may suffer persecution in our pursuit of Him and righteousness, the reward, in the end, is the kingdom of heaven (Revelation 7:16-17). Those around us may hurl insults or false accusations at us, but as Jesus notes in verse 12, this was the treatment of God’s people who have come before us. Conclusion In reading these beatitudes from Jesus, it can often remind us of how far we fall short of God’s standard. No one is always poor in spirit, mourning, meek, thirsting for righteousness, merciful, pure in heart, making peace, or being persecuted. But, as followers of Christ, His Holy Spirit makes it possible for us to live out these attributes and blessings that our Lord calls us to live out (John 14:15-17). Be encouraged today that in Christ we are blessed, and He reminds us in these verses that living a blessed life in Christ is very different from what the world would define as blessed. As you journey through the sport industry, remember what the true meaning of blessed is and seek to exemplify that in your life and career. If you’re unfamiliar with Uncommon Sports Group, its programs, or its ministry, get connected through the form on our home page or check out the Uncommon Podcast. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We’d love to hear from you!

It can be difficult to put into words a concise reflection of our most recent USG Impact Trip to the Middle East. I’ve been a part of several of these initiatives historically, even in the same nation in 2019. However, regardless of where you go or where the Lord calls you to, on these opportunities, He seems to work in both mysterious and intentional ways within your team and leaves each individual closer to Him than they were before the trip itself, which is what truly makes these opportunities ever so special! Upon arrival to the nation, there wasn’t much “culture shock” for me, as I was familiar with my surroundings, having been to this location previously. One group had arrived, and the other group of members were waiting at the airport. As we were waiting for the second group, those of our team that were already present were drinking coffee, eating croissants, and all were filled with anticipation of what was to come—processing through the question of “what is our Lord going to do over these next few weeks?”. Once our full team had arrived we headed to a compound in the city, where we would be leading a Christ-centered sports camp and where we would be staying over the next week. After arriving at that compound, we met as a team, met with our local partners, and took a look at how the upcoming week would be structured. We also made sure to take the camp to the Lord in prayer, asking for His will to be done, and that He would use our team and staff for His glory! There was palpable excitement to serve and to give back. Still, I was most excited to see, as I’ve seen the Lord do historically, how He was going to weave our team of diverse individuals with unique personalities as one body in Him, that would in turn bring honor and glory to His name. There were so many reasons to thank the Lord from the sports camp itself. This included, but was not limited to individuals who grew closer to Jesus, that participants had fun, the freedom experienced in worshiping our God as one in a different cultural context, and breaking bread together at meals. Our team served, was unified, and each team member embraced their unique skill-sets for God’s glory! Though I was able to be a part of all of these opportunities, the Lord was pruning me throughout the whole camp experience. Having a passion and heart for soccer, one of the things that I was most looking forward to was the potential opportunity to coach and play soccer with the kids at the camp. On the first day of the camp, however, I received a slide tackle from a camp participant that caused a severe ankle roll and I sprained my ankle. I was immobile and was in a lot of pain. One of my favorite aspects of the camp, that I had been looking forward to for months, was over. I spoke to God at first, asking “Why?” disappointedly, but as He moved in my heart, I eventually moved towards asking Him the questions of “What do you want to do in me through this?” and “How do you want to use me amidst this?”. After the injury, He provided a member of our team that I didn’t know had an athletic training background to provide me treatment. He provided intentional one on one conversation opportunities with camp participants and our team that I likely wouldn’t have had otherwise, and He gave me the opportunity to help with cleaning dishes in the kitchen for our meals, an area of need that we didn’t prepare for initially. God didn’t cause my ankle injury (which is still swollen, by the way), but He used the aftermath of the situation as a way to glorify Himself and also remind me that I’m His and that He is going to move regardless of my health status, as He sees fit. He doesn’t need me, but He chooses to use me; what an awesome God we have! After the conclusion of the camp, we moved towards intentional Biblical sightseeing, in walking and experiencing areas where Jesus walked, which really brought Scripture and His alive and active Word to life! At one of those sights, as we were on a boat floating on the water, I was reminded of the gift of His presence and the attribute of His character being Immanuel, “God with us.” Soon after the boat ride, we headed to an area for baptisms for four of our USG members. They were ready to give a public outward declaration of an inward change, acknowledging Jesus as not only their Messiah, as the Savior of the world, but also as the Lord and Master of their respective lives. They also shared how the Lord has used USG in their walks with Him. I had assisted with a few baptisms historically in my life, but it was special to be able to lead two of the baptisms for a couple of guys that I had poured into and done life with over the years in my role at USG. I’m grateful for the opportunity and privilege of being able to be a part of this Biblical sacrament and special day with them. As we went from site to site throughout the country, each area had its own Scriptural significance and historical importance. As the tour was finishing out, as I had hoped, our team left the experience closer to Jesus than we had been previously when we had flown across the pond. Our team split off into two groups, and we then headed our separate ways, back to different locales all across the United States of America. As I reflected on the trip between watching several movies and battling a cold on the flight back, I was reminded of a song from our time at the camp entitled “Kama Hesed.” It translates from Hebrew loosely to “so much grace” or “so much kindness,” but as I reflected on that song and those words, I was convicted of how often I strive or try to earn favor with God. In reality, I need to continually remind myself of the grace that He has bestowed upon me in being reconciled to Him and enjoying the gift of His presence, sitting at His feet, and doing life with Him each day. Continually living transformed in the freedom that I have in Him, both now and forever, until He returns or calls me home, that's a “Kama Hesed” lifestyle, and that’s a lifestyle that I desire to embrace in Christ, now that I am back stateside. Psalm 34:8 notes: “Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him!” This Scripture really encapsulates my experience and our USG team’s experience overseas. As we abided with Jesus, we tasted and saw that He is good and that He is our refuge and strength. My hope is that we can continue to provide these high-impact experience opportunities for our USG members to grow in Christ for the long haul so that more of our members can grow closer in Him and with Him and grow in a heart for the lost and the nations as well! It was encouraging to see the impact that the two-week trip had on this group of Christ-centered leaders within the college and pro sport industry. Learn more about USG's Impact Trip to Israel with the link here. Are you interested in learning more about Uncommon Sports Group or getting involved? Click here to contact a staff member, or click here to apply for our USG Academy!