USG is able to provide all of its Academy participants with a fully-funded Impact Weekend trip. These weekends are aimed at being an opportunity for the participants to put into action everything they have been learning throughout the USG Academy, as well as providing opportunities to grow both in Christ and professionally. This past weekend, USG was able to fund twenty-four Academy participants to travel to Phoenix, AZ, for an Impact Weekend experience. Ezrick Sanders was one of the participants on the weekend. Ezrick is presently a Scouting Assistant with Pro Level Sports Agency LLC. Below is Ezrick's short testimony about his experience in Phoenix! "Over the weekend, I was blessed with the opportunity to be a part of the USG Impact Weekend in Phoenix, Arizona. I was privileged to meet some of my peers from Team 32 of the USG Academy, the amazing staff, and some incredible sports professionals. We did some team building and strength activities within the group, participated in Bible Study and worship, toured the Phoenix Suns, Arizona Diamondbacks, and Grand Canyon University facilities, and listened to incredible speakers regarding their journey navigating the sports industry professionally and as a follower of Christ. From my interaction with the speakers, staff, and team members, I learned how vital fellowship is in my journey. I’ve attempted to take this journey professionally and spiritually alone, but USG has helped me see how important it is to be a part of a community. I enjoyed playing Top Golf, the building a bridge activity, the scavenger hunt, breaking bread, and worshipping with the team. This weekend was a source of much-needed encouragement and the beginning of my involvement with the USG community." Uncommon Sports Group provides faith-based training and resources to future leaders of the sport industry. We believe you shouldn't have to compromise your values to be successful. If you want an experience like Ezrick's, apply to join our community of Christ-centered future leaders of the sport industry here. Do you have questions about our ministry? Contact a staff member here!

This past weekend, Uncommon Sports Group hosted twenty-five USG Academy graduates in Phoenix, AZ, for one of our Impact Weekends. The process for getting involved with our ministry begins with participants completing our eight-week virtual Academy, which pushes them to connect their faith in Christ with their career in sports, and round out the Academy with the in-person Impact Weekend experience. Once participants complete the eight-week Academy and an Impact Weekend, they are granted access to full membership with Uncommon Sports Group. The goal of our Impact Weekends is to provide an opportunity for participants to put into practice everything they have been studying during the eight-week Academy, as well as have the opportunity to grow in their faith with like-minded people in the sport industry. We kicked off our Phoenix weekend on Friday afternoon with a trip to Grand Canyon, a D-1 university near downtown Phoenix. We heard from some of their staff, including the former chaplain of NASCAR Tim Griffin, who is presently the Vice President of Student Affairs at GCU. One of the highlights of Tim's message was when he talked about pouring into entry-level people in the sport industry and showing them the love of Christ, as opposed to prioritizing the directors and executive-level staff. From there, we were given a tour of GCU's athletic facilities, including its soccer stadium and basketball arena. It's always inspiring for our participants to see how the operation of other universities and organizations are run as they seek a career of their own! We finished off Friday with a team social event at Topgolf, which was a great time of fellowship for the group. Saturday was a packed yet exciting opportunity for our group to grow spiritually and professionally. We began the morning session with a group Bible study. We used the Discovery Bible Study (DBS) method to allow our participants to soak in what they were reading. We then transitioned into a few activities that allowed our participants to engage with their Gallup CliftonStrengths results. During the Academy, each participant is required to take the Gallup CliftonStrengths assessment to help them see their God-given abilities. The group really enjoyed the opportunity to get to know one another better through the strengths activities, as well as growing in their understanding of their own gifts! Once we completed the morning session, we walked from our hotel over to Chase Field, the home of the Arizona Diamondbacks, to receive a tour from Amilyn Pierce, who is the Vice President of Government Affairs with the D-Backs. The ballpark was beautiful and Amilyn took some time at the end of the tour to share with our group her background, what she does in her role, and how she incorporates her faith in Christ in her workplace. One highlight from Amilyn's talk was her love for God despite losing her husband in a car crash, as well as her ability to be a single mother who works full-time in the sport industry! God really encouraged and challenged our young people through Amilyn's talk. From Chase Field, we went to the Footprint Center, which is home to the Phoenix Suns (NBA) and Phoenix Mercury (WNBA). We received a tour of the arena from two USG participants, Luke Unverferth and Kyle Gaspari. Luke and Kyle are both Sales Associates on staff with the Suns, and they primarily sell suites inside the arena to large groups and businesses. Luke got involved with Uncommon Sports Group in 2019 and Kyle just recently got involved this past summer. The tour of the arena was incredible, as they just made some major renovations, and it was awesome to hear Luke and Kyle share what they do daily in their roles. Luke and Kyle closed out the tour by sharing their stories and how they incorporate their faith in Christ with their jobs. Luke shared that it is valuable to prioritize building relationships with your co-workers as a way to share Christ with them. It can be difficult to be open about your faith during work hours, but if you build relationships outside of work, it opens up doors to share Christ with your co-workers! This was a great learning point for our young people to be mission-minded in their roles in sports! We ended the weekend on Sunday morning with group worship in the hotel and a large group devotional over Matthew 13:1-23 (Parable of the Sower). It is truly a blessing for our ministry to be able to come alongside these young professionals who love Jesus and who desire to work in the sport industry. The Phoenix Impact Weekend was another reminder that God is working in the lives of many young people in sports to make an impact for His kingdom and glory in their workplaces and beyond. If you are interested in getting involved with Uncommon Sports Group and having the opportunity to attend one of our future Impact Weekends, apply to join the community here! If you are curious about our ministry or have any questions, feel free to contact a staff member here!

We were created by God, through God, and for God; He is the head of the body of Christ, and He holds all things together (Colossians 1:15-18). Yet living in this fallen world as sinful people by nature and sometimes by choice, we can sometimes attach ourselves to other things or people in order to feel tethered; to live like someone who has a purpose, who is trying to find ultimate fulfillment, or attaching ourselves to things or people for a sense of identity. I know I am guilty of this in certain seasons of my life and I am sure you are too. We can proclaim Christ is our foundation but when that job opportunity goes to someone else, we wonder if our foundation is as secure as we thought. We can worship Him through song and confess that He is enough but when we turn to people to fill a deeper soul void of loneliness we might be experiencing, we wonder if Christ truly does satisfy every longing. We say we trust Him with our finances but when unexpected expenses come up, we wonder if He really will provide for our needs. Please hear me. Questioning, doubting, feeling, or reassessing is not bad! We all do it and more than likely our faith has come out stronger because of it. What I’m getting at here is trying to paint a picture by using broad illustrations to show various ways that we might need some re-tethering to Christ. Let me be the very first person to raise my hand and say my faith and being tethered have been tested many times this year; I’m reminding myself of these same truths. So, what does it look like to enjoy the careers, passions, financial blessings, friendships, and opportunities God has given us while still tethering our identities to the person of Christ? Recognize that every good gift is from Him (James 1:16-18). Root yourself in Him, not people or anything else on this earth (Jeremiah 17:5-8). Abide in Him (John 15). These might feel like another list of things to check off or to make sure you’re doing, but I would highly encourage you to just sit in one of these for a week. Spend some time before the Lord, focusing on just one, and ask yourself these questions: What does _______ (abiding) look like for me currently? What does it mean to ________ (abide in Christ)? What could this look like for me in the current season I am in? Who can I share this with and bring along with me in my journey of ______ (abiding)? These are just tools to help get you started as you think about rooting and grounding yourself in the person of Christ; this is not the only way. The goal of this is to gently remind you to come back to the person of Christ, whether things are going well or they’re hard. Let’s keep coming back.

Today, October 13th is Uncommon Sports Group's 2nd year anniversary. In 2020, Managers on a Mission (MOAM) was rebranded to Uncommon Sports Group (USG). The reason behind the rebrand was a desire for MOAM to communicate its focus, which is to develop Christ-centered leaders of the sport industry at large, not just equipment managers. Since the rebrand, God has been working through the new opportunities that have come along with the name change, including the USG Academy. The Academy curriculum broadens the growth opportunities available to program participants. Now more than just missions, members have the ability to take part in the virtual Academy, conferences, and Impact Weekends in addition to Managers on a Mission’s traditional service projects and missions trips. In the past two years, Uncommon Sports Group has seen 130 participants complete the USG Academy, nearly 100 members land new jobs in the sport industry or receive promotions, $80,000 awarded in scholarships to future leaders in sports, and 220,000 pounds of donations collected by Clean Out For A Cause. These are just some of the quantitative highlights of what the Lord is doing through Uncommon Sports Group and our members across the country who are seeking to use the sport industry for God's glory. If you are interested in getting involved with Uncommon Sports Group's community of future leaders of the sport industry, apply to join the network here! If you have questions for our staff, please fill out a contact form here!

One of the most vital factors in navigating your career and life is finding established individuals who can mentor you. Ideally, this would be someone with years of experience working in an area you desire to pursue. Based on their career trajectory, experience, and wisdom, these individuals are able to provide you with advice, insight, and comfort as you navigate your own professional journey. We strongly believe that everyone should have mentors in their lives, whether it's professionally, spiritually, or a combination of both! Use the tips below for how to find a business mentor and how to find a spiritual mentor. What is the difference between a business mentor and a spiritual mentor? Mentors offer insight and wisdom into the lives of their mentees – whether they are professional or spiritual. But their focus is different. Business mentors focus on what they can offer their mentees, such as career advancement, coaching, next steps, etc. A spiritual mentor focuses on how to point their mentee to Christ and what He offers them and walks alongside them. A business mentor is often seen as “higher up” and somewhat set apart from their mentees, while a spiritual mentor is in the trenches, as it were, rediscovering God daily with their mentees. What are the benefits of having a mentor? Whether business or spiritual, there are many benefits to having a mentor. While these benefits are often categorized by the type of mentor relationship, they actually overlap quite a bit – the difference is the context. Mentors encourage and empower their mentees to grow and develop and help them discover gaps in knowledge or skill and opportunities to rise to a new challenge. Mentors often encourage a broader perspective and inherently offer skill-building for mentees to become mentors as they gain confidence and knowledge. Mentors have also been linked to higher success rates in various endeavors their mentees undertake. How to find a business mentor It is important to note that, if you were to look up “business mentor” online, many results appear as to how to find somebody, how to pay for a mentor, or filling in your qualities and letting a randomized match begin. At Uncommon Sports Group, we believe that some of the most effective mentor/mentee relationships are those that were already relationships to begin with. It’s not that you can’t find a mentor who you’re not personally connected with already, but taking the “randomness” out of the equation makes things more real, honest, meaningful, and beneficial from the get-go. Here are some tips for how to find a business mentor: Don't ask a stranger or make a request via social media. Have a personal relationship with them that is organic and natural. Work hard at your craft, embody integrity, and then seek mentoring. Don't make it a one-way street; show that you can add value to the mentor's life and career as well. Build a rapport with them and pursue deep, meaningful conversations. Structure more defined times to connect one-on-one, whether weekly, biweekly, or monthly (in-person or by phone). How to find a spiritual mentor A spiritual mentor’s purpose is to help their mentee grow toward God – to see where they’re at, where they’ve been, and pray with them and walk alongside them as they look ahead, constantly and consistently headed toward closer communion with the Lord. No matter where you are in your spiritual journey, a mentor, if nothing else, is a sounding board, a friend, and a person to pray for and with you. Who wouldn’t benefit from that?! A good way to find a spiritual mentor is to look for them in your everyday life and encounters. As you grow authentic relationships based on truth and open honesty, mentors may reveal themselves. Paired with prayerful discernment, you will undoubtedly find a spiritual mentor to walk with you and guide you. Here are more tips for finding a spiritual mentor: Make sure they have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, and His Word is the source of their advice. Time together should include prayer, scripture reading, and growing in the Lord together. Find someone you connect naturally with that has spiritual qualities that you admire. Strike up a relationship from there! Seek out church leadership to connect you with a godly mentor. Commit to accountability and building each other up during meetings. Structure more defined times to connect one-on-one, whether it be weekly, biweekly, or monthly (in-person or by phone). Have fun together! This should be something you look forward to each week. Finding a mentor can be a life-altering experience. The sole purpose of both business mentors and spiritual mentors is to guide you. To further develop your strengths, to identify and build up your weaknesses, and to help you thrive. This is an invaluable part of any sports industry professional’s career. You could find your mentor by exploring membership with Uncommon Sports Group.

Tenderness isn’t exactly a word we are quick to associate with someone who is all-powerful and the King of Kings. Or the One Who can drive out demons and perform miracles. Yet that is exactly who Christians throughout history have experienced God to be, and who God is described as in Isaiah 42:1-3. “Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen one in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him, and he will bring justice to the nations. He will not shout or cry out, or raise his voice in the streets. A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out. In faithfulness he will bring forth justice;” ‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭42:1-3‬ God is described in these verses as One Who will not break a bruised reed or extinguish a smoldering wick. Both of the items described in these verses are incredibly fragile. A reed is a tall, slender piece of grass. For it to be bruised means that it is on the verge of dying as it has lost its strength and is no longer stable. Similarly, a smoldering wick is in danger of being extinguished by the tiniest breeze or touch. But God is described as being able to care for these items with so much tenderness and care that both will survive. I have been fortunate to experience and be reminded of God’s tenderness in a fresh way these last few years through some unresolved health issues. I have been seeking answers to some complicated health issues since the end of 2020 when I gained over 20 pounds within a couple of month span despite making no changes to my diet or exercise regimen. This even resulted in me taking a 3-month sabbatical at the start of 2021. I was hopeful that some time away from work after an intense 8 years since starting our ministry would be all I would need to recover from my various health issues. Unfortunately, the sabbatical nor dozens of doctors appointments and endless labs, scans, x-rays, and treatments of various kinds have resulted in the improvement I have been searching for. Even since returning from my sabbatical and cutting back on almost all of my evening commitments I have continued to have episodes that force me to miss work or other commitments on an almost weekly basis. While I am certainly hopeful that I will soon find some answers, I am reminded that even greater hope is found in these verses from Isaiah. As I have been forced to reach the end of my “own” strength and accept how fragile my health is right now, I have been incredibly blessed to be reminded of how tenderly God cares for me. God has continuously given me the strength I have needed exactly when I have needed it. As I am sure many can empathize with, it has not been often that it seems as if I’ve received more than the strength I needed. This has allowed me however to grow in my awe of God’s faithfulness in allowing me to be the broken reed that does not break. There have been many moments where I was afraid that I would have to cancel an important meeting or trip or even consider an unpaid leave from work because of how I had been feeling physically, only to suddenly be feeling nearly 100% moments later or right before the event. In reflecting upon the smoldering wick Pastor Sam Allbery explains, “Jesus is able to deploy his care with such surgical, forensic precision that the most delicate and fragile of things can be taken and nurtured with utter care and protection.” I know there are many people with far more serious or complicated health issues than myself in addition to many others feeling crushed by other circumstances or trials. I certainly do not want to minimize the incredible pain and heartbreak many throughout the world are experiencing. Nor can I ever pretend to understand or explain the “why” of these many things that seem to make no earthly sense. In fact, I would say it is biblical and wise to understand there will continue to be various trials emerging all throughout our time on earth that may lead us to feel nearly crushed. But I do want to encourage us that it is often in these reminders of how delicate and fragile we truly are, that we can experience the beauty of God’s unfathomable tenderness and faithfulness as described in Isaiah 42:3. And for those in Christ, there is nothing that can ever separate us from His care (Romans 8:38-39).

Have you ever been told that you or someone else is a strong Christian? Or that a person is “on fire” for God? I know I have and I myself have even used these terms to describe brothers and sisters in Christ. These terms are Christian cliches that so often flood our churches in describing what we deem to be an individual who is an elite or top-tier Christian. They never miss a morning quiet time, they are involved in their local church, they memorize Bible verses, and they can list all of the books of the Bible in order, without fail. But is there such a thing as a strong Christian? Can one Christian be stronger than the next based on their ability to recite Bible passages or put up perfect church attendance? As followers of Jesus, it is important for us to recognize this age-old truth about the Christian life: there’s no such thing as strong Christians, only a strong Savior. Without Christ, Your Faith is Futile Paul isn’t one to sugarcoat anything in his letters. He is candid and to the point. One of Paul’s more candid moments is in 1 Corinthians 15:12-17 where he writes: “Now if Christ is proclaimed as raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain. We are even found to be misrepresenting God, because we testified about God that he raised Christ, whom he did not raise if it is true that the dead are not raised. For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins.” (1 Corinthians 15:12-17). Simply said, if God didn’t raise Christ from the dead, our faith is pointless and we are still destined for an eternity in hell for the just punishment of our sins. You could have the most robust quiet time, you could have the most intentional small group time, and you could serve each and every homeless person in the United States of America, but if Christ is not raised from the dead, those works become like a polluted garment. (Isaiah 64:6). The reality that all Christians must succumb to is that Christ’s life, death, and resurrection is the only way we erase our hostility with God because of our sin (John 14:6). So, what does this say about our strength? It illustrates the fact that we have none, but praise God that Christ has come to be that strength for us! Paul writes: “For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God,” (2 Corinthians 5:21, emphasis added). Total Depravity I once heard a strength coach say, “you get out what you put in.” In terms of your diet, this statement is valid. But in talking about God, this statement doesn’t apply. It can be easy to think of our relationship with God like we think of our careers- the harder we work or the more we do, the more blessings and appreciation we will receive. We almost think of God as a football coach. If we “do our job” (shoutout Bill Belichick), then we’ll be rewarded and remain a “starter” on God’s roster. But if we miss our assignment, we’ll either be cut from the team or have to run wind sprints at practice. What we often fail to understand is that every single human being has missed their assignment. This is what theologians call total depravity. This Biblical doctrine is an acknowledgment that as a result of the fall of man (Genesis 3:6) the mind, will, emotions, and flesh of man have become corrupted by sin. As the prophet Jeremiah puts it: “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it.,” (Jeremiah 17:9). So, what about the strong Christian? Aren’t they the star quarterback that God so loves? The doctrine of total depravity erases any possible existence of a strong Christian. We clearly see that even the Christian with perfect church attendance is in desperate need of a Savior. But God, And God Alone Paul is not one to pass up on the opportunity to talk about total depravity. In Ephesians 2, Paul talks about the past lives of the people of Ephesus. “And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience- among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind,” (Ephesians 2:1-3, emphasis added). Paul is making it crystal clear that the people of Ephesus were once subject to the doctrine of total depravity. They, like all humans, lived in the passions of the flesh and carried out the desires of the body and mind, and were by nature children of wrath. But, Paul is writing these verses in the past tense. He says, “you were dead in your trespasses and sins.” What changed? “But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love in which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ- by grace you have been saved- and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast,” (Ephesians 2:6-9, emphasis added). You would be hard-pressed to read these verses and continue to believe that our works have any role in our salvation. They most certainly do not, and Paul makes that clear. The people of Ephesus were once dead in their sins, they were children of wrath like the rest of mankind. But God, being rich in mercy made them alive in Christ. It is by grace, and grace alone, that we are saved and are brought back into right standing with God. It is our human nature to look at our works. We see the Christian who memorizes Scripture regularly as more holy, or the Christian who serves in the church regularly as God’s special child, but it is clear in Scripture that this is not the way of our God. God shows no partiality (Romans 2:11) and He saves us apart from works (Titus 3:4-5). Conclusion It can be easy to look at the works of a Christian and believe that those works are what make them strong in their relationship with God. Certainly, our works are an important part of our walk with Christ, as Paul pens in Ephesians 2:10: “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” (Ephesians 2:10). But these works do not make us righteous. Paul writes in Romans: “But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it- the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,” (Romans 3:21-25, emphasis added). Our strength and our righteousness come only from the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. Therefore, we can conclude that there is no such thing as a strong Christian, but only a strong Savior.

It can be challenging to know what to look for in a good local church. In this episode of the Uncommon Podcast, Uncommon Sports Group's Founder & Executive Director, Drew Boe, provides insight into what young professionals in the sport industry should look for as they seek out a good local church to invest in. 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!

God is worthy of our praise. Regardless of circumstances, regardless of broken relationships, regardless of the death of a loved one, regardless of the job opportunity that didn’t go your way… God is worthy of our worship all the time. In a world that is full of pain and difficulty, God provides tangible hope that is a light in the darkness. In God there is no darkness and “darkness is as light” to Him (Psalm 139:12). So how do we position our hearts to praise Him when everything seems to be falling apart? How do we worship Him when it’s the last thing we want to do? I of course don’t have the solution to the problem of pain (maybe read C.S. Lewis' writings), but I can tell you what has helped me as I’ve gone through painful times in my life. Staying in Scripture is essential. God’s Word is alive and full of truth that restores our minds. Scripture speaks directly to your heart. Scripture reveals the heart and nature of God, which brings hope and joy to a weary soul. Scripture reveals the promises of the Lord and gives testimonies of God’s faithfulness. God can and has brought restoration to impossible situations. Remind yourself of these testimonies! Our vision and power are limited, but His is not (Isaiah 55:9). “Great is our Lord and mighty in power; his understanding has no limit” (Psalm 147:5). Ask Holy Spirit to speak to you as your read through Scripture and then write down what he reveals to you! Another powerful weapon that we have as believers in Jesus is our worship. When we choose to worship the Lord in our pain – when we choose to sing to God, to thank God, to get down on our knees and worship when we don’t feel like it - we show that we honor who He is, not just what He can give us. When we worship, we refocus our minds on the Lord’s nature and redirect our hearts toward Him. When we worship, we join the elders and angels who are constantly worshipping, saying, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come” (Rev 4: 8). I don’t know about you, but I want to be a part of that never-ending worship. God deserves everything from me. Who am I to withhold worship from the One who created me, who has revealed truth and love to me, who gives me His presence, and who has redeemed my life? “You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will, they were created and have their being” (Rev 4:11). Most importantly, God wants your heart. He is jealous for your heart. He wants to be with you. He wants your full attention. He is a good Father who wants to build a relationship with you. Seeking His presence is vital to combat the lies of the enemy and build our dependence on the One who will not fail us. Keeping your heart open to the Lord puts you in a position to receive the restoration, goodness, direction, and love of God. He hears your requests as you abide in Him (John 15) and guides you where you need to go, keeping your feet on level ground (Ps 143:10). God’s presence brings rest, healing, and safety. He wants you to come in all your emotion and all your mess to be your comfort. Ask the Lord to bring you into His presence where there is “fullness of joy” (Ps. 16:11).

One of the more powerful spiritual disciplines available to Christians is fasting. Spiritual fasting requires dedication and is a great way to connect with God and grow spiritually. Of course, Jesus taught and exemplified this throughout his life on earth. We read in Matthew 4:1-2 that Jesus fasted for 40 days in the desert after being baptized, to demonstrate his dedication to His Father. Spiritual fasting is a biblically-based opportunity to recognize your full dependence on the Lord. Use the fasting tips below to guide you through the process. What are the benefits of spiritual fasting? Spiritual fasting has many benefits. A few of them are: A deepened connection to and dependence on God Mental discipline to rethink worldly wants and needs A less self-centered point of view (building the fruits of the Spirit) A less clouded mind, allowing you to truly hear God’s voice Renewed gratefulness for God’s blessings and presence Spiritual Fasting Tips to Determine Your ‘Why’ for Spiritual Fasting. Fasting is the practice of eliminating food for a period of time. Whether it's one meal a day, a day of not eating, or even a couple of days or weeks, this is a time to solely rely on the Lord to satisfy and sustain you. You can also fast from things other than food, including social media, coffee, sugar, television, etc. The purpose is to eliminate things in your life that distract you from time with God or things you may feel dependent on. Before fasting, pray about it. Ask the Lord to show you what you should fast from and why you should fast. What outcome should you be looking for? Any time you feel dependent on things of this world, make a conscious effort to practice fasting and fixing your heart on Christ. Create a spiritual fasting game plan. Just as with most things in the sports industry, you must create a game plan for your quiet times with God so that life in the sports world doesn’t defeat you. If anything, creating a game plan and prioritizing time with the Lord each day will make your journey in the sport industry much more peaceful and enjoyable. But be mindful, making this daily sacred time a priority will take serious commitment and intentionality for it to become a routine in your life. 1. TIME To make fasting a consistent part of your life and not just a one-time thing, it is essential to set aside intentional time with the Lord. What part of the day will it be, morning or night? Maybe during your lunch break? How long will you spend in quiet time with the Lord each day? 15 minutes may be a good starting spot and then build on from there as you develop some routine! The key early on is to create something consistent each day so make sure you are aware of your schedule and when it works best for you. This will help you stay focused and committed to your spiritual fast. 2. PLACE Choosing a place for your everyday quiet time that is comfortable, quiet, and as free of distractions as possible is crucial to the success of your spiritual fasting. Reading a “verse of the day” in the car on your way to work isn’t ideal. And, if you travel frequently with your team, it can be even more difficult to find a place. Make it a priority to get somewhere quiet with just you and God, whether it be your bedroom, couch, or office space. 3. FORMAT God created everyone in His image but unique in their own ways. The same goes for quiet time...we all need time with our Creator but that time may look different for each person. This time could include scripture reading, prayer, journaling, or worship music. Whatever you choose, we encourage you to combine a few of these to create a powerful and productive structure in building your relationship with God. One spiritual fasting tip to get you started is to read Purpose Driven Life, look up additional scriptures from the chapter, journal your thoughts on the daily page, and then close in prayer. 4. BARRIERS/TEMPTATION It is important to recognize the potential barriers you will face because you WILL face temptation to break your spiritual fast. Do you keep social media apps on your phone, even during your social media fast? Do you know that your coworkers are ordering food on a certain day? Are you less likely to spend quiet time with God if you haven’t gotten your work done for the day? These barriers and temptations will require you to turn to the Lord in prayer and focus your full dependence on God – which is the point of your fast! Knowing them ahead of time helps you anticipate, and overcome them. 5. ACCOUNTABILITY It is good to have a couple of partners in mind to keep you accountable throughout your spiritual fast. While your fast is strictly between you and God, we are human, and God gave us earthly companionship to help each other. You can lean on accountability partners to talk through temptation, check in on progress, and encourage discipline. And while accountability partners are good, there's no need to post about your spiritual fast on social media or make people feel bad that you're not eating (Matthew 6:16-18). Again – this is between you and God. 6. DISCIPLINE Once you decide on time, place, and format, the only thing left to do is commit to your spiritual fast! It only takes a few weeks to turn these commitments/habits into a transformational lifestyle. To get started with spiritual fasting, we suggest fasting one thing for 40 days. Give it a try! While it can be difficult, spiritual fasting is a powerful way to be in full communion with and depend on the Lord, and these fasting tips can help you get started with your journey. Learn more about spiritual development from Uncommon Sports Group, and explore what becoming a member could do for you and your faith.

Landing your first full-time job in intercollegiate or professional athletics is often difficult. Sure you have your undergraduate degree and you have practical work experience for the open role that you are applying for, but so do the vast majority of applicants that are also pursuing that same role! How are you going to separate and positively differentiate yourself from the crowd, amidst a deep and quality applicant pool, so that you can get your foot in the door to the sports industry? A friend of mine had recently finished up a graduate assistantship with a Division 1, Power 5, women’s basketball program. He had great grades, credentials, and experiences in coaching basketball, but it seemed that no matter where he applied, for open entry-level positions, his applications never seemed to progress past the initial review stage. Though he experienced frustration, he put his best foot forward by staying positive and trying to go to as many professional development events as he could. One of those events was at his undergraduate alma mater, where he heard a head coach of an NBA franchise speak. The talk by that head coach really resonated with my friend, and though my friend tried to meet him after the talk, he was unable to, due to prior engagements on the itinerary for the speaker. Disappointed with the outcome of not being able to meet that individual in person, my friend then looked up the physical mailing address for that NBA head coach’s team on Google, wrote it down on the exterior of an envelope, and began to write him a handwritten note. In this note on traditional card stock that you can buy at a CVS or Walgreens, my friend noted how the coach’s talk resonated with him, that the talk encouraged him to keep pursuing his dream of coaching basketball one day, and if there was anything that my friend could do to help support the coach, to have the coach let him know. My friend made sure to provide his contact information in the note as well. Lastly, my friend made the note out to the coach by adding the coach’s name to the envelope, and my friend added a stamp and dropped the envelope inside a mailbox. A few months later, my friend was still applying for jobs in the basketball coaching sector, when his phone began to ring. It was from the same area code where the coach to who my friend had sent a “handwritten note” to was living. The phone call could have easily been spam or for another reason or purpose, but my friend picked up the phone call and answered it. To his surprise, after he had answered the call and had introduced himself, on the other end of the line was the NBA head coach, who had spoken at that previous alma-mater event, and to my friend's surprise, had received and responded to my friend's hand-written note! They had an engaging conversation about life and basketball over the phone, and though my friend was in need of a job, this conversation wasn’t about employment per-se. This conversation was about building a depth-oriented connection and a relationship, where each individual could support one another in sport and in life moving forward! As my friend had his Master's Degree conferred he was still in the process of seeing what was in store for his next chapter post-college. Over the summer, he and that coach continued to build a relationship, and the coach provided my friend with advice, best practices, and wisdom as he continued the job search process. One day my friend, still very diligent with applying to open positions daily, received a call from that coach, about an opening as an Assistant Video Coordinator on his staff. The head coach noted that the position would be competitive from the quality of applicants' perspective, but that he thought my friend would be a good fit for the role and that he should pursue the opening. After an extensive interview process, my friend landed that Assistant Video Coordinator role with the NBA franchise, working with that NBA head coach, who had impacted him with a talk and who had received his handwritten note. A handwritten note isn’t an exercise that is complicated or difficult, but it is one that carries significant meaning and purpose. In a world where everything is digital, and where we can accomplish tasks at the click of a button, a handwritten note can seem “countercultural”, “old-school” or “a waste of time”. In my experiences in athletics and with Managers On A Mission and Uncommon Sports group, I’ve actually found the opposite, in that handwritten notes can be significant “game-changers” in helping you separate yourself from applicants for open roles, and that they were vital in any job opportunity that ever came across my desk. But why was this the case? Handwritten Notes show people that you care and value them. By writing a handwritten note instead of an email, you are showing that person that though it might take longer to write them something personal and not digitally, that handwritten note is worth being written and mailed because that person is worth being handwritten too. Time is one of our most precious assets because it is a fixed resource, there is only a limited amount of it. By taking the time to write someone a handwritten note, you are really showing that person that he or she is worth your time and that that person really matters! Everyone reading this blog receives in all likelihood 50+ emails per day. It can often be challenging to respond to all of those emails while remembering the key information in each one. Now think of a time when you received something physically in the mail. The excitement that you have, coupled with the elements of unknown or surprise of what could be inside the envelope or box that arrived to you. Receiving these hard mailers means more, yes because our society is so digital, they are unique, but also because there was intentionality and care in those hard mailers being sent to you, so that you could open, process, and enjoy what you have received. Handwritten notes can be used in a variety of contexts in the athletics realm, but three usages stick out to me. The first is stewarding existing relationships with established professionals in the sports industry. Amidst busy seasons, receiving a “handwritten note” carries a lot of significance to those whom you already know. it shows that amidst the busyness that you still are thinking about them and that you are for them. Stewardship comes to play as well here because you are valuing and prioritizing those whom you know in a way that shows them that they still matter to you. The second primary usage for handwritten notes is to build new relationships with established professionals in the sport industry that you don’t presently know, but that you desire to connect with. These can include individuals that you have heard speak at conferences or events, have connected with virtually, or have read about their respective journeys, but have never connected with in-person before. As we stated earlier, with most of these professionals receiving 50+ emails per day, writing a handwritten note can differentiate you enough that they might be more inclined to respond to your handwritten note request to connect, as opposed to someone who reached out to connect to that individual via email. Not all of your “cold-call” handwritten notes will receive a response, but I personally have had much more success with handwritten notes initiating new reach outs, than I have had with direct email reach outs, to those working in intercollegiate or professional athletics! The third primary usage that I have found for “handwritten notes” is leveraging and using them amidst a present interview process that you are walking through with Human Resources. As you are going about an initial phone or video interview, write a handwritten note to EVERYONE that participates in the interview process with you. As you progress each interview round, write a handwritten note to all individuals that you connect with. If you are moving through the process, potentially towards the final round of interviews, which would likely be in-person, bring some handwritten notes on card stock with you, so that you can drop these notes in a mailbox after your interview. Hopefully, these handwritten notes are not only received well by those who interviewed you, before they make a final decision, but those handwritten notes would be received physically by the committee, and those notes would help separate you from a pool of finalists who in all likelihood didn’t take the time to write handwritten notes their interviewees. In terms of tips for writing handwritten notes, they vary based on which of the three types you are writing above, BUT they all have several all-encompassing traits or key areas for emphasis. First, articulate a sense of gratitude to whomever you are connecting with. Really show that person that you are thankful for them, even if you haven’t met them before. Second, emphasize specificity as much as possible. Don’t be vague or general when writing your handwritten note. Be specific, personal, and intentional with the person that you are connecting with. That specificity will go a long way in making that person feel valued and appreciated, them remembering you or you resonating with them, and will lead to a higher likelihood of that person responding back to you. Lastly, be specific in your desire to connect with that individual further at a later date. That will help in regards to follow-up being swifter and allows a streamlined process for a relationship to be further developed and built over time. In closing, my hope is that this narrative was helpful in seeing how you can use handwritten notes to help you grow your depth of relationships in the athletics realm, and also how they can be used strategically to help you get your foot in the door to a career in the sports industry. Take the initiative, go to a CVS or Walgreens and buy a set of card stock, envelopes, and stamps (shouldn’t be more than $10), and start your handwritten notes journey today. You won’t be disappointed! If you have any athletics professional development questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our Uncommon Sports Group staff, and we’d be happy to assist you with your questions and journey!

Are you looking for some new reading material? You've come to the right place. Our staff has hand-picked some of the best books for young people to read as you seek to grow in Christ and professionally! Mikey's Picks Anxious For Nothing" - Max Lucado In a world and culture where anxiety and depression are rampant, best-selling author Max Lucado, provides a Christ-centered pathway in order to be healed from anxiousness. As he dives deeper into what God's word says about anxiety, and walks through personal testimonies that he has experienced, readers will learn how to fight and be healed from anxiety in their lives, while also learning to cling to Jesus' promises in His scripture. If you are a Christian that is presently experiencing anxiety, I highly recommend that you consider this work, as its foundation is rooted in Philippians 4:6-7, about growing "to be not anxious about anything..". The Secular Creed - Rebecca McLaughlin In this work, award-winning author and Cambridge University educated Rebecca McLaughlin, provides an honest and biblically sound analysis of several cultural mantras for discussion in our present times. As she outlines these cultural mantras, she then provides a rebuttal of what God says about each of these topics in His word. This in turn points us towards a higher calling of love, that goes beyond this world, one that is "Agape" in nature. Readers are empowered to live out this love of Christ, as opposed to embracing the one-liners typically found on signs in front yards of American households, that have no lasting foundation or are not of truth. If you are desiring to grow in confronting injustice, without compromising God's truth, this work is a great place to start! Suzanne's Pick Lead... for God's Sake! A Parable for Finding the Heart of Leadership by Todd G. Gongwer Lead...for God's Sake! is a simple read with a powerful message! This book clearly defines the important leadership qualities of accountability, character, and priorities. If you are looking for a book on Biblical leadership, giving this book a read is a great place to start. Adam's Pick Contagious Disciple Making: Leading Others on a Journey of Discovery -David Watson, Paul Watson In Contagious Disciple Making, David and Paul Watson map out a simple method that has sparked an explosion of homegrown churches in the United States and around the world. This disciple-making method focuses on equipping spiritual leaders in communities where churches are planted. Contagious Disciple Making is a great read for those who have a desire to pass on their faith to the next generation of leaders in the sports industry. Amanda's Pick Extreme Ownership: How U.S. Navy Seals Lead and Win - Jocko Willink and Leif Babin Extreme Ownership teaches leadership from first-hand experience in combat and then explains how those same leadership concepts can be applied in business and beyond to create effective leaders and teams. This book opened my eyes to many important qualities a leader must possess to be successful and empower their teams. I was able to directly and immediately apply what I was learning not only with my leadership team but also in my other relationships. It has been one of the most life-changing books I’ve read! Noah's Picks Another Gospel- Alisa Childers In her book, Another Gospel, Alisa Childers defends the core tenants of historical and biblical Christianity against the "new age" progressive Christianity claims that so often go against essential Christian beliefs. The book is very relevant in an age where truth doesn't exist to many and sheds light on the importance of standing firm in biblical truth. I highly recommend this book! The Right Fight: How to Live a Loving Life- John Kennedy Vaughan Jesus talks a lot about the importance of loving our neighbor, but what does that exactly look like in our day-to-day lives? Luckily, in John Kennedy Vaughan's book, The Right Fight: How to Live a Loving Life, he explores the answer to that question and unpacks the attributes of love described in 1 Corinthians 13. This a great book for followers of Jesus to read as you grow in your understanding of God's call to love our neighbors as ourselves. Drew's Picks This Beautiful Book: An Exploration of the Bible's Incredible Story Line and Why It Matters Today by Steve Green I have probably ordered over a dozen different what I refer to as “Bible for dummies” type of books in the last 10 years as I’ve struggled to develop a clear understanding of the connection of the main storylines throughout the Bible. “This Beautiful Book” has honestly been exactly what I’ve been searching for! I highly recommend it to anyone who identifies with my struggle, or who has yet to press into the #1 best-selling book of all time that happens to have more manuscript evidence than any other piece of classical literature. You owe it to yourself to read firsthand about the One who literally divided time. “Christianity, if false, is of no importance, and if true, of infinite importance, the only thing it cannot be is moderately important.” ― C.S. Lewis Side note: I used to believe the only reason I could believe in the Bible was that it’s what people told me I should believe. I thought it required “faith” to believe the Bible is true. Learning the historical accuracy and physical evidence of the Bible changed everything for me. Coffee House Chronicles by Josh McDowell and Dave Sterrett I highly recommend this easy-to-read series for anyone skeptical of Christianity. Love how realistic the conversations and questions posed, and arguments presented are. I have faced, and wrestled with so many of these exact questions and arguments during my college years, and couldn't be more thankful for the insight and guidance this series provides in finding the Truth! If you want to learn more about our ministry or have questions for our staff, contact one of our staff members here! If you are interested in joining Uncommon Sports Group, apply for our eight-week virtual Academy here!