"Moreover the Lord spoke again to Ahaz, saying, “Ask a sign for yourself from the Lord your God; ask it either in the depth or in the height above.” But Ahaz said, “I will not ask, nor will I test the Lord!” Then he said, “Hear now, O house of David! Is it a small thing for you to weary men, but will you weary my God also? Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel. " Isaiah 7:10-13 I adore studying the book of Isaiah, especially surrounding Christmas. This Old Testament book, credited to the major prophet, Isaiah, is FILLED with Messianic prophecy, foreshadowing the coming King, Savior, and humble Servant. Isaiah's name means "Yahweh is salvation," and, second to the Psalms, it is the book most quoted in the New Testament. As Jesus said in John 5:39-40, "You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me. But you are not willing to come to Me that you may have life." The scriptures, including the book of Isaiah, speak of Jesus. In this particular scene in Isaiah 7, Isaiah is sent to King Ahaz of Judah to reassure him that he need not fear the oncoming threats from Syria and Israel. The Lord, in His mercy, allows Ahaz to find security in the Lord's Word (spoken by the prophet) by asking for a sign, but Ahaz rejects it. (Also, read 2 Kings 16 to read more about evil practices during Ahaz's reign.) In response to this, the Lord delivers a message, through Isaiah, to Judah, the "House of David," and says, "Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel." King Ahaz is so fearful of the potential overthrow of his position and of threatening alliances that he refuses to turn to God and seek proof of his deliverance from none other than the Lord's hand. Yet, the Lord in His mercy still chooses to reveal Himself. “I revealed myself to those who did not ask for me; I was found by those who did not seek me. To a nation that did not call on my name, I said, ‘Here am I, here am I.’ Isaiah 65:1 What is the sure sign of deliverance for Judah? The Son of Man, Jesus. Jesus, the Lion of the Tribe of Judah. Likewise, what is the sure sign of deliverance for humanity? Jesus, the Root of David. In Isaiah 7, this gracious and zealous God we serve turns his attention towards a wicked generation and gives a similar message to that of His servant Moses, "I AM that I AM." (Exodus 3:14) Let's break this down even more...As King Ahaz was too caught up in fearing the opposition and practicing wickedness without a repentant heart, the Lord was relentlessly ready and waiting to reveal His plan to save His people. Even in darkness, God's light shines forth. The Savior (Sign) wasn't a horse, a chariot, or a strong militant officer. (Psalm 20:7) It was a child, born of a virgin . It was GOD himself, the Great I AM. This child would dwell on earth, fully God and fully man. This child would grow in wisdom, stature, and favor with God and man. This child would walk in obedience and purity, dying a criminal's death on a cross to offer up the perfect sacrifice, to bring about forgiveness of sins to all who believe in Him as Lord. This child would bring reconciliation, protection, healing, and deliverance to those who call upon His name. This child would atone for every spot and blemish in the life of a sinner turned saint. This child is the only sign needed, and the sign is God Himself. Since the fall, humanity has tried to cover up, heal, and conceal sin through human effort. In the Garden of Eden, Adam and Eve hid themselves in an attempt to withdraw from God, in hopes that He might overlook their mishap. In Isaiah, King Ahaz relies on an Assyrian ally rather than trusting in God. In my life, time and time again, I've tried to scrub myself clean from the stain of sin, in hopes of performing my way into freedom. This is not the way. God makes it clear in Isaiah 7 that Immanuel, "God with us," is the only sign and remedy of deliverance. Are you seeking deliverance from fear? Are you longing for true peace and rest? Are you tired or frantic from the busyness of life? Do you find yourself in a helpless or broken state today, and are wearied from seeking answers from the world? Does oppression burden you, or what feels like an onslaught from the enemy? If you can even slighlty relate, the Lord has the remedy, the relief that you need. He promises you deliverance, freedom, healing, hope, joy, peace...TRUE LIFE. Do you know what sign He's given you to prove it? "Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel." Your sign is Jesus. Your sign is the nail-pierced, Messiah. Your sign is God Himself. The prophecy in Isaiah was later fulfilled in Matthew 1:20-23, "But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, 'Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”). This Jesus, this child born of a virgin, WILL and HAS saved His people from their sins. This wasn't just a historical event; it was the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus that paved the way for you and me to step into a redeemed life. Jesus didn't just save your life; He became your life. Galatians 2:20 says, "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." This means that all sin, destruction, and anything that would bring about death and darkness is now crucified on the tree, and you can partake in the freedom of true life that is found in none other than Jesus. Does this seem too good to be true? Don't believe my words, but seek this out for yourself! If you desire freedom, look at the blood-stained banner of the cross. If you need healing, look at what His wounds paid for. If you want security, lock eyes with this God-man. If you long for hope and peace and joy, ask the Holy Spirit to reveal Immanuel, "God with us", to you. If you're searching to destroy sin within you, look no further than the body and blood of Jesus. It's one thing to KNOW that this is true, and it's another to BELIEVE that this is true. Honestly, I am BEGGING for this belief, because life depends on it. The Lord doesn't want you to live a life of discouragement. He said, "In this world you will have trouble. But, take heart, I have overcome the world." John 16:33 Yes, we experience trouble. Sometimes we cause the trouble. Sometimes trouble happens to us. BUT, no matter what happens, the SIGN is the same. THIS CHILD HAS OVERCOME THE WORLD. Christ has overcome every power, every sin, every problem, every principality, and everything is subject to the power of Jesus. This winter, if you're frantically searching for the "peace, hope, and joy" the season apparently offers, look to the sign spoken of by the prophet Isaiah. Behold the Son. As you do, by His Spirit, every bit of opposition will fade (including fear) and all you'll be left to behold is Jesus. Remember, Christ died to free you from sin and make you alive with Him. He didn't come to alter your life, He came to BE your life. This Christmas, I'm writing to needy, poor-in-spirit souls who are thirsty for a touch from God. I'm writing to the ones who have heard the Lord say, "Come to me all who are weary and I will give you rest," and have set out on the pilgrimage of finding peace in His presence. I'm writing to the desperate heart that cannot be content with the world's status quo and longs for holiness and healing, for redemptive living back in the arms of the Good Shepherd. For some, the honest answer may be...Is this sign enough? Is staring at the face of Jesus, the coming of the Messiah, unity with the Creator, the power of His resurrection life in you, and the promise of His return...Is that enough? This is a question I cannot answer for you; it must be discovered. Discovering requires faith. It takes surrendering. It takes honesty. It takes coming to Him to learn that He will forever and always (whether we feel it or not) be more than enough. I've found that season after season, I come to understand and re-learn this truth: He is the one thing needed. (Luke 10:42) As we go about our daily activities, the ultimate goal of each day is to seek Him and find Him. To belong to Christ Jesus is your purpose. This is your purpose as you decorate the tree, shop for gifts, check your emails, cook a meal...It's to be one with Him and to allow His Spirit to live in you and through you. Here are some practical ways that you can invite the Lord into this pursuit: When you're hungry for Him, fast. When you're longing for His nearness, delight in taking communion with the body of believers. When you're desperate for a breakthrough, break through in prayer. When you've been fed lies, eat the truth (Word of God). More of Him is always what's needed! Remember, we serve a God who delights in giving good and perfect gifts (Matthew 7:11). The ultimate gift is the gift of Himself, Jesus. I'm telling you, you need Him. I need Him more than I've ever needed Him before. He's at the top of the Christmas list and will forever and always be the most sought-after prize. The Good News is He is waiting for you to ask for Him, that He may pour out His love upon you and leave you drenched in His Spirit, overflowing with hope, joy, and righteousness, by His power, His presence alive in you. Does this sound like the life you'd like to live this Christmas? Ask Him now to behold the promised sign, to behold the Son. Prayer: You are my Savior. I give my entire life to You. I lay every burden down at your feet. I receive the deliverance, the healing, the peace, the love that you paid for on Calvary. I trust you to be everything that's needed. Teach me to walk in the fear of the Lord and the comfort of the Holy Spirit. Blessed Holy Spirit, reveal Jesus to me. Teach me to turn to Him in every situation and to open me wide to receive the life of your Son, true deliverance in every situation. Show me the way of life found in intimacy with You. Take my attention off of self and onto the Son. Amen. Merry Christmas!

In this episode of the Uncommon Podcast, USG Board Members, Kelli Masters, NFL Agent, and Angela Marin, Athletic Director at UT Dallas, discuss the importance of hearing God's voice and building a relationship with Him through prayer and scripture. The conversation focuses on opportunities for the community offered by Uncommon Sports Group, finding value beyond titles, and the challenges of being a woman in the sports industry. A new episode of the Uncommon Podcast is released every two weeks. You can find it on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, right here on our website, or wherever you get your podcasts. Check out this episode, and be sure to subscribe to our podcast to get alerts when new episodes are released!   Do you want to join our community of Christian leaders working in the college and pro sport industry? Learn how you can get involved with USG here . ⁠⁠⁠

Uncommon Sports Group seeks to connect, encourage, and equip Christians working throughout the college and professional sport industry. A large part of how USG seeks to accomplish this mission is by funding its members to attend international mission trips that help equip them to live missional lives through their careers in sports. On June 19, USG traveled to Nairobi, Kenya, with a group of fourteen of its members and four staff for a two-week short-term trip. While in Kenya, USG served alongside local ministry partners in a variety of ways, as well as experiencing the local culture and scenery in Kenya. If you want to learn more about the trip to Kenya, you can read a detailed summary here . Anthony Wedel was one of the attendees on this summer's trip to Kenya. Anthony is a part of the USG community and has completed our Academy program, has attended an Impact Weekend, is involved in our Community Bible Studies, and recently was a winner of our scholarship. Currently, Anthony serves as a Ticket Office Associate with Liberty University Athletics. Below is a testimony from Anthony about his experience in Kenya and the impact the experience had on him. "Two years ago, if anyone would have told me I’d travel out of the country for the first time in my life, let alone on a mission trip, I would’ve called them crazy. Missions felt like something other people did, but not something I was capable of. But a few weeks before I even applied for the trip, I found myself praying a scary prayer: that the Lord would bring discomfort into my life to break the complacency I had slipped into. Not long after, the Lord challenged me directly, “ Go on a mission trip.”  I remember feeling unsure, unprepared, and honestly, afraid. Yet months later, there I was, boarding a plane to Nairobi, Kenya, completely unaware of how deeply God would use that step of obedience.  During my time in Kenya, God began reshaping parts of my faith that I didn’t even realize needed changing. I felt Him challenge the way I studied Scripture, pushing me to approach His Word with more depth and intentionality. He also stirred something new in my prayer life which was a desire to pray for others more consistently and compassionately. Before leaving, I had specifically prayed for two things: strength to share my testimony and unique, meaningful connections with the team. God answered both prayers abundantly. Not only did I share my testimony with the entire group, but I also formed deep, genuine relationships with every single person on the trip. In just two weeks, strangers became lifelong friends, and I experienced community in a way that I could have never imagined.  Coming home, I expected the usual “mission trip high,” but what I felt was much deeper. I experienced a spiritual hunger unlike anything I’d ever known. I found myself craving the presence of the Lord, wanting to worship, pray, and study with a sincerity and fire that felt completely new to me and my life. The trip had opened my eyes to what intentional, authentic community could look like, and it ignited a desire in me to love people more deeply and intentionally. One of the biggest things that stayed with me was the joy and love I witnessed in the people of Kenya. Their generosity, compassion, and unwavering devotion to the Lord left a permanent mark on my heart. Their joy wasn’t tied to circumstance; it was rooted in Christ. I came home praying that my life would reflect that same love and joy, and it has been my prayer every day for the past five months. Since returning, the Lord has continued to challenge me to remain in that place of holy discomfort, the same discomfort I prayed for before I ever boarded the plane. He’s been stretching me, inviting me into new opportunities, and reminding me that growth rarely comes from staying comfortable. This trip didn’t just change my faith for a moment; it shifted the direction of my walk with God. My trip to Kenya may have lasted only two weeks, but the impact has shaped every day since. I’m grateful for what the Lord started in me there, and I have been committed to continuing this journey of obedience, community, and deeper love to wherever he leads me next whether that be in my career or my personal life. "- Anthony Wedel, Ticket Office Associate with Liberty Athletics Seeing the impact that the Lord brought about from this trip, both in Anthony's life and in the individuals we served in Kenya, has been such an encouragement! We are grateful to have had the opportunity to serve the Lord in Kenya with this group of Christ-centered leaders of the sport industry. If you would like to learn more about the trip to Kenya, click here  to read a detailed summary. If you are interested in learning more about becoming a part of USG's growing community of Christian sport industry professionals, click  here !

In this episode of the Uncommon Podcast, host Noah Weiss interviews former NFL wide receiver Geremy Davis, who shares his journey from professional athlete to founder of the ministry Golf and Gospel. Geremy discusses his evolution of faith, the challenges of maintaining a Christian witness in the competitive sports world, and how he uses golf as a platform to share the gospel. He emphasizes the importance of community, accountability, and living out one's faith in everyday life, encouraging listeners to integrate their beliefs into all aspects of their lives. The conversation highlights the transformative power of faith and the unique opportunities that sports provide for ministry. A new episode of the Uncommon Podcast is released every two weeks. You can find it on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, right here on our website, or wherever you get your podcasts. Check out this episode, and be sure to subscribe to our podcast to get alerts when new episodes are released!   Do you want to join our community of Christian leaders working in the college and pro sport industry? Learn how you can get involved with USG here . ⁠⁠⁠

In this episode of the Uncommon podcast, host Karlie Flowers interviews Jaunelle White, VP of Athletics and Chief Student Development Officer at Point University. Jaunelle shares her inspiring faith journey, the influence of her family, and how she integrates her faith into her career in athletics. The conversation explores the significance of community service, navigating grief, and striking a balance between career and family life. Jaunelle emphasizes the power of prayer, trusting God's timing, and waiting on Him in transition. The hope is that, by listening to this episode, you will be drawn into a deeper, more intimate relationship with God and inspired to live out your faith in your family and workplace. A new episode of the Uncommon Podcast is released every two weeks. You can find it on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, right here on our website, or wherever you get your podcasts. Check out this episode, and be sure to subscribe to our podcast to get alerts when new episodes are released!   Do you want to join our community of Christian leaders working in the college and pro sport industry? Learn how you can get involved with USG here . ⁠⁠⁠

"Because of the multiplication of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold. But the one who perseveres to the end will be saved" Matthew 24:12 "For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power." 2 Timothy 3:2-5 "But I have this against you: You have abandoned your first love." Rev. 2:4 This week on a USG Academy call, I was asked, "How do you keep your fire for Jesus burning?" What a profound and excellent question to bring before the Lord! In Matthew, 2 Timothy, and Revelation 2, the scripture points to first love : what's enthroned in our hearts, minds, and souls. The greatest commandment is this: “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law? Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” Matthew 22:36-40 When I turn inwardly, my heart grieves at the number of times I've missed the mark on this commandment. How often have I let fear, worries, offense, busyness, pride, or other earthly things take my attention away from loving Him first, and as a result, loving His people well? As I'm writing this blog, I'm inviting in the Holy Spirit to cleanse and search my heart; to renew a fire of first love even as I write and you read. The good news is that Jesus' body was broken and shattered on the cross. His flesh torn and crucified, so that ours would be made whole. He's paid the punishment for our sin, and opened the door for repentance (turning from sin, and returning to God), and allowed us to take these grievances and lay them at His feet. He is the very essence of first love, and only He can redeem us from lovers of self to lovers of God. I often find that the more I try to clinch my fists and ignite the flame of first love on my own, the more I leave empty-handed. 2 Timothy 3 starts by saying, "men will be lovers of themselves." Friends, we need to take this warning soberly and repent. I'm the first in line here to say, "I'm sorry, Lord" for putting my needs, my wants, my agenda, my feelings...me, me, me...On the throne. The reality is, Jesus doesn't share. He's all or nothing. He said in Matthew 16:24, " Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man would come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me." This means the "self" is left on the altar, and the life we live is now HIS. Which implies we must undergo training, by the power of the Holy Spirit, to learn how to deny self and give ourselves away, in love, to Him and His people. Here's the reality. A life living to please "self" is a life of bondage. Romans 8:6 says, "The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace." When a person gives their life to Christ Jesus, confesses Him as Lord and Savior, and believes in Him as the Son of God, the Holy Spirit takes up residence within the believer. It's a divine exchange. This is the same Spirit that raised Jesus Christ from the dead alive in you. The Holy Spirit has found His resting place in you, upon you, and around you. He will help sanctify you and make you more like Jesus. Thankfully, He is working, even now, to transform your mind from inward thinking to outward praise. The more we look at even our own shortcomings, the more defeated we become. We are able, by His Spirit, to instead fix our eyes on Jesus, on His perfection and His presence in our midst. The more we reflect on the Majesty of Jesus, the more self and earthly cares fade away. Even now, pray this: "Holy Spirit, reveal Jesus to me." The Holy Spirit testifies of Jesus. This happens through creation, the Word of God, prayer, visions and dreams, through community, etc. By learning to fellowship with Him, we learn to love Jesus. Any love we have has first been given. 1 John 4:10, "This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins." Here, God is clearly showing us a picture of love. Jesus. The humility of Christ is one that emptied Himself, took on the form of a servant, even unto death on the cross. This is the example we follow. We turn away from our own self-seeking and we turn to seek Jesus. James 3:16 says, "For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there." The incredible news is that when we follow in Christ's example, turning from self and turning toward God, we actually find LIFE! John 17:3 says, "Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent." So how do we keep the fire of first love burning? Just as Jesus did, I'm going to answer my question with a question. Why do you love Jesus? Ponder that for a moment. Why did you give everything to Him at first? Next, we must come in full neediness, brokenness, dependency, and honesty before the Lord and ask for forgiveness. God is not disappointed with you; He longs to give Himself away to you. Repentance unlocks the door for freedom and the fresh indwelling of His presence. After confessing and humbling your heart before the Lord, ask Him bluntly, "Lord, consume me with the fire of first love. I need it." After asking, believe that He has heard you and that you will receive the requests of your heart as they align with His will (which is for you to know and love Him). Now fresh embers are set, and you wait. You ask the Holy Spirit to help you praise Him constantly. You ask for His presence to draw near to you. You receive in faith the blessing of His affection towards you. Psalms 5:3-8 in The Passion Translation says, "At each and every sunrise you will hear my voice as I prepare my sacrifice of prayer to you. Every morning I lay out the pieces of my life on the altar and wait for your fire to fall upon my heart." The blessed place of surrender is where His fire falls. Even the longing you have for more of Him comes from Him! When you give your life to Jesus daily, entrusting all into His care, you can believe that He will, day by day, fill you with love to overflow for Him and others. But, as you walk throughout your day, be aware. There are little foxes that will try to spoil the vineyard. (Song of Solomon 2:15) These are the, as Mark 4:19 states, "worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth, and desires for other things choke the word, making it unfruitful." How we overcome these little foxes is through training, by the Holy Spirit, to discern good and evil and to choose moment by moment surrender to the ways of Christ. You will only know the ways of Christ by abiding in His Word and relying on His strength at work in you to complete what He has started. Love isn't always a feeling. It's a way of being. God so LOVED the world that He sent His one and only Son. What did that Son do? He died for us. "No greater love than this, than to lay one's life down for a friend." (John 15:13) Now, laying your life down for a friend could mean honoring your spouse, forgiving a coworker, showing kindness to a stranger, or replacing offense with service...You see? It's the little moments where we learn to love sacrificially and, in doing so, love Him. The fire of first love, the zealous love, is blazing in Christ's heart for you. Right now, I invite you to reach for it. Cling to it. Once I asked a woman from church, "How do I love Him more?" Her response to me was, "Well, tell Him you love Him...and don't stop." So, whether you feel the fire or not, speak: "Jesus, I love you." Prayer: Jesus, we love you. Burn us again with the fire of first love and keep us burning. Kindle us daily. Thank you, Yeshua. You, Lord, keep my lamp burning; My God turns my darkness into light. Psalm 18:28

My name is Alyssa Ryals, and I have stepped into the role of Women’s Engagement Associate at Uncommon Sports Group. I am excited to get to know each of you who pursue membership with our organization. As someone who has greatly benefited from being a member myself, I am eager to now walk many others through the program. To share a little of my story, my childhood was split between two states. I was born and raised for the first 12 years of my life in Birmingham, Alabama, where I grew up in a solid Christian home and attended a traditional Southern Baptist church. At 12, my family moved across the country to Gilbert, Arizona, where I spent my middle and high school years. There, we attended a non-denominational church, and it was in that season that I developed a love for studying Scripture line by line and paragraph by paragraph. When it came time for college, I returned to Birmingham to attend Samford University, where I eventually found my church home at The Church at Brook Hills. Each of these church communities have deeply encouraged and strengthened my faith. Sports have always been part of my life, though in many different forms. As a kid, I tried soccer, basketball, cheer, and many others, but the two that stuck were gymnastics (ages 3–10) and tennis (ages 11–18). Though I no longer play competitively, I still enjoy being active, and you can often find me on the pickleball courts! Sports as a career really began in college. While looking for a campus job, I was hired as the volleyball data analyst for Samford Athletics. It was a steep learning curve, but the coaches welcomed me into their program like family, and I ended up working with them for all four seasons of my college years. Beyond campus, I also worked with the Birmingham Squadron, the NBA G League affiliate of the New Orleans Pelicans. I began part-time during my junior and senior years as the Game Day Experience and Community Outreach Coordinator. Once I graduated in December, I transitioned into full-time work for a third season with the team. Along the way, I also gained valuable experience through internships and volunteer roles with the SEC, SoCon, Van Wagner, Indy Grand Prix, United Football League, and the Birmingham Bowl. I discovered USG in June of 2024 while attending the Daniel Summit, a gathering of Christians working in sports. Here I had the opportunity to connect and have meaningful conversations with members of this organization. I then joined the next academy in August of 2024 through the beginning of October. My impact weekend was incredible and I met many people that were in similar positions as me. My decision to join the staff of Uncommon Sports Group stems from both my own hardships in the sports industry and my passion for Christ. While the cool parts of our sports jobs are often celebrated, the challenges aren’t talked about as much. These include the challenging work schedules, tough coworkers, and situations that test or go against your faith. That is why I am so thankful the Lord opened the door for me to serve here. USG has already impacted me in incredible ways through the Academy, Bible studies, conferences, and the community. Now, I feel called to pour back into others. In this role, I hope to provide every member with the support and resources they need to faithfully walk with Christ and reflect His light throughout the sports industry. I am truly excited for the season ahead and am eager to connect with many of you. Please don’t hesitate to reach out as I would love to hear your story and walk alongside you in this journey! Thank you for reading and learning more about the USG team! If you'd like to know more about Uncommon Sports Group , Clean Out for a Cause , or our programs, please contact us . We'd love to hear from you!

This month, Uncommon Sports Group sponsored USG Member Natalie Osborne to attend the annual Women's Leaders in Kansas City, Missouri. Natalie is pursuing a career in athletics, currently at George Fox University in Newberg, Oregon. Check out her testimony of how the Lord moved at the event! "I had the incredible opportunity to attend the Women Leaders in Sports National Convention this year, made possible through the generous funding of USG. The convention was held near the WLS headquarters in Kansas City, Missouri. I have attended this convention before and have stayed involved with a mentor through the organization, but this event was such a great opportunity to reconnect with women I know and encourage one another in our current roles. I unexpectedly ran into another USG member (who I originally met at WLS 2023) and we got to catch up over the weekend. I also saw my fiancé’s coworker, which was a sweet connection. Overall, this event provided such a great time of rest and restoration in community. I also got to be an ambassador for the Lunch with Leaders and Legends, facilitating conversations with women in several different roles. I left the event feeling encouraged, supported, and more educated in the unique challenges for women in the sports world. I hope to attend next year and continue these connections!" Are you interested in being connected to a group of Christians working in college or pro sports? Learn more here about getting involved with Uncommon Sports Group!

In this episode, hosts Karlie Flowers and Noah Weiss delve into the complex topic of Halloween, exploring its origins, cultural significance, and the varying perspectives within the Christian community. They discuss the historical roots of Halloween, including its connections to the Celtic festival of Samhain and the Christian celebration of All Saints Day. The conversation highlights the polarizing nature of Halloween among believers, personal experiences with the holiday, and the importance of spiritual discernment. The hosts emphasize the need for humility and boldness in navigating Halloween as a family, encouraging listeners to seek ways to redeem the holiday for Kingdom good while maintaining a Christ-centered focus. A new episode of the Uncommon Podcast is released every two weeks. You can find it on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, right here on our website, or wherever you get your podcasts. Check out this episode, and be sure to subscribe to our podcast to get alerts when new episodes are released!   Do you want to join our community of Christian leaders working in the college and pro sport industry? Learn how you can get involved with USG here . ⁠⁠⁠

Last week, Uncommon Sports Group traveled to Phoenix, Arizona where they had a Regional Gathering. USG hosted a meal for about 15 future and present sport industry professionals throughout the Phoenix metro area. Each of these individuals is pursuing a career in sports, whether already established in the industry or seeking to get their foot in the door. Attending the Regional Gathering provided these individuals with a special opportunity to connect with other Christians working in the sport industry in their city. It also provided them an opportunity to spend time in community with other believers in their industry and worship alongside of them. USG staff arrived early on Thursday to connect with our local contact and prepare the venue for the event. That evening, the Phoenix network began to show up to Pella Communities Mission in Glendale where the event took place. There was a brief period of greeting before the event got underway. This was followed by a time of socializing around a meal provided by USG. Attendees were able to get to know one another and build relationships over the meal. This time of fellowship was followed by a time of worship through song, led by a local worship leader from Pella. Worship was followed by an encouraging message from a local pastor, and long-time military chaplain, Chad Kritenbrink. The message focused on Acts 2:42-47 and the importance of authentic Church community. Once the message concluded, attendees had some time to work through a series of reflection questions. These were centered around the importance of love, sacrifice, and biblical community.  In conclusion, the staff walked through future opportunities for further involvement with USG. This was a special night where the Christian sport industry community across Phoenix gathered to be encouraged to live out their faith in their careers and get connected to one another. To learn more about USG, our mission, and how to get involved with events like this, click here or contact a staff member .

This past weekend, Uncommon Sports Group hosted an Impact Weekend in Phoenix, AZ, for twenty-four USG Academy participants. Each of the attendees spent eight weeks walking through USG’s unique Academy program that provides faith-based and professional development opportunities for the participants as they pursue careers in the sport industry. The Impact Weekend experience is a required in-person opportunity that each Academy participant attends to provide them with a more hands-on development experience and a chance to build Christ-centered relationships within the college and pro sport industry. After traveling to Phoenix, the weekend officially began on Friday afternoon with a welcome session and a visit to Grand Canyon University’s campus. At GCU, our group had the opportunity to hear from a panel of speakers that featured six professionals within the Lopes athletic department including Anthony Martinez, Senior Associate Athletic Director for Student Services; Al Porteous, Associate Athletic Director of Media Production; Will King, Associate Athletic Director of Facilities and Operations; Katy Keenan, Assistant Athletic Director of Student-Athlete Development; Katy Keenan, Director of Student-Athlete Development; Jayme Bailey, Softball Assistant Coach; and Hunter Hays, Softball Assistant Coach. The panel touched on their career journeys, the challenges they face as Christians working in sports, how they are navigating the continuous changes that are happening within college athletics, and more! At the end of the session, our group was able to ask questions to the panel. Once the panel concluded, we were able to take a tour of GCU’s athletic facilities! Our tour included stops at Global Credit Union Arena, basketball practice facility, soccer stadium, and baseball field. From GCU’s campus, we headed to PopStroke in Glendale for dinner and a group social. It was a great opportunity to fellowship with one another over a meal and some friendly mini-golf competition! Following Friday’s activities, Saturday morning began with the group breaking into small groups to study the Scriptures together. Each group dove into Acts 2:42-47 to study the various disciplines evidenced by the early church. The discussion was rich and edifying for the groups! After Bible study, we loaded up into our vans and headed to downtown Phoenix for an outreach activity. We broke into groups once again and spread out around downtown to pass out bags to the needy containing a pair of socks, a granola bar, a toothbrush, deodorant, a New Testament Bible, and a prayer card. Each group passed out bags, prayed over each person, and shared the gospel message of Jesus Christ with the person if they were open to hear it. This activity was a challenge for each participant that helped them grow spiritually and practice being the hands and feet of Jesus. Our next stop after outreach and lunch was Chase Field for a panel discussion and a tour! The panel featured four Arizona Diamondbacks staff members: Amilyn Pierce, Vice President of Government Affairs; Taylor Merwin, Coordinator of Community Relations and Partner Programs; Lucas De Jong, Senior Manager of Corporate Partnership Sales; and Tristin Goldhammer, Senior Graphic Designer. The panel discussed their testimonies, how they live out their faith in the workplace, and how they navigate the challenges of being believers in a secular work environment. This conversation was powerful for our participants to hear because it proved that it is possible to be a Christian living on mission in the workplace. After the panel and tour of Chase Field, our group gathered back at the AirBnB’s for a short commissioning message covering the parable of the sower and a conversation about ways to stay involved with USG moving forward. They also received their Academy completion certificates. The evening wrapped up with dinner and fellowship at a restaurant downtown. The weekend wrapped up on Sunday morning with a church service at Pella Communities. A part of our mission at Uncommon Sports Group is to connect and the best way to do that is to be connected to a local church body! Attending a local church during the weekend emphasizes the importance of the community and discipleship that the church can provide. It was a blessing to grow and serve alongside of this group of future leaders of the college and professional sport industry. Our prayer is that each participant will take what they learned and apply it to their future or present careers in sports. We’re incredibly appreciative of our Clean Out For A Cause donors for their generosity and for making events like these possible. As we send these new USG members out, we’re confident that they are prepared and equipped to be Christ-centered leaders within the college and pro sport industry. Thank you for your continued prayers and support! If you are interested in learning more about our ministry work at Uncommon Sports Group or getting involved, please click here .

CWS 2025: Table groups building community and discussing the previous session's takeaways. At the 2025 Christians Working in Sports Conference, we were blessed with amazing speakers and panelists. Each session brought challenges, authenticity, and most of all, a demonstrated reliance on Jesus Christ. We've outlined each session below with a few key takeaways. We've also provided links to our session recordings, which are accessible for free on our USG YouTube channel . For more information on the Christians Working in Sports Conference and our forthcoming CWS 2026 Conference, visit us at cws.uncommonsg.org . We've outlined the sessions in their conference order. We hope that you will both be challenged and refreshed by their messages. Mayo Sowell – “Living on Mission” Former Auburn football player and NFL athlete turned pastor, Mayo Sowell, reminded us that we are designed instruments for God. Our calling is not confined to church work—secular work can still be sacred. Watch Mr. Sowell's message on YouTube . Key Takeaways: “You are designed to do great things.” “I’m not qualified” is not an excuse to give up. Acts 1:15-16 reminds us we are God's chosen instruments. Instruments don’t play for themselves—they play for others. In the same way, we are here to serve. “What distraction is taking you away from the purpose God has given you?” Every Kingdom is progressive—keep growing or you’re falling behind. Panel 1: Navigating Uncertainty Athletic Directors Jason Romano, Jamaal Walton, Jamie Boggs, and Graham Neff provided practical wisdom for navigating difficult seasons. Watch the Navigating Uncertainty Panel on YouTube . Key Takeaways: Give yourself grace. Remember who you work for: “Jesus over job title.” Lean on strong believers within your industry. Keep asking: Am I still following the Lord’s plan for my life? Find perspectives from outside the sports industry to stay grounded. Your job is something…Jesus is everything Jon Gordon – Leadership and Prayer Jon brought practical, spiritual encouragement around discipline, prayer, and spiritual warfare. Watch Mr. Gordon's message on YouTube . Key Takeaways: “When you’re selfless, you’re fearless.” Devotion drives discipline. You’re in a spiritual battlefield—remind yourself of the truth daily. Connect with God through prayer; it’s the greatest weapon against the enemy. “ You can't be stressed and Thankful at the same time.” “A praying leader makes you a positive leader." “You’re still here because God’s not done with you yet.” Prayer Formula – P.R.A.Y.E.R. Praise (Thank Him) Repent (Ask for forgiveness) Ask (For strength) Yield (Surrender to Him) Expect (Expect great things because he delivers) Receive (His blessings) Panel: Managing Competitiveness & Career Ambition Panelists Jaunelle White, Kyle Stark, and Christina Hovestadt spoke about ambition, leadership, and trusting God through career changes. Watch the Managing Competitiveness & Career Ambition panel on YouTube . Key Takeaways: Leadership isn’t about you—it’s about your people. Know your spiritual standard. Practice “obscure obedience”— John 4:34. “The calling stays the same, but the platform may change.” Obedience over outcome. God cares more about your faithfulness than your results. “Continue to plant seeds wherever you are.” Lauren Sisler – “Having bold faith in the workplace” Lauren shared her journey of loss and resilience, urging us to show up fully present rather than chasing the next thing. Watch Mrs. Sisler's message on YouTube . Key Takeaways: “Adversity can be your gift to others.” “Be where your feet are: Stop chasing what's next, and start showing up for what's now.” “You are not broken, you are becoming.” “Let your story glorify God” “Comfort is the number one enemy of spiritual growth.” Panel: Pursuing Work/Life Balance Jason Romano, Lori Krueger, Moses Ehambe, and Matt Marasco challenged us to define what balance looks like under God’s leadership. Watch the Pursuing Work/Life Balance panel on YouTube . Key Takeaways: Your first team is your home—prioritize family. Let the Lord lead your track record. There’s always a cost to following Jesus, but it’s worth it. State your goals clearly and live them out. “Celebrate the small things that God is doing.” Benjamin Watson – “A Christian Movement in Sports” Benjamin brought a compelling message about authentic faith and influence in your community and daily life. Watch Mr. Watson's message on YouTube . Key Takeaways: “Hold everything with open hands.” Ask if you’re idolizing anything before God. Take inventory of the food of God in the midst of the mess. People crave authenticity, not perfection. Be a person of response (Spirit-led), not reaction (flesh-led). “Don’t be afraid to step out of the boat.” Ephesians 2:8-9 – We are saved by grace, not works. We hope that you will be blessed by these messages and discussions. For more information about The Christians Working in Sports Conference, hit the link below to visit the conference's website. We'll be announcing more information about CWS 2026 soon. We will hope to see you there. Discover more about the CWS Conference If you'd like to get more information about USG or CWS or to connect with one of our USG staff, please contact us . We'd love to hear from you.