The high visibility of sports within most cultures provides a unique opportunity for the Christian athlete to affect change. Houghton University encourages its athletes to use that opportunity to develop relationships and to share their faith with:
Those they play with (teammates),
Those they play against (opponents), and
Those they play in front of (spectators, officials).
Sports ministry at Houghton University is, therefore, a culturally relevant tool that connects the Christian faith to the sport minded. To make this association possible, the Houghton athletic department strives to provide an international sports ministry opportunity for each team at least once every four years so that each student-athlete will have the chance to compete against high-level athletes, work alongside full-time missionaries and build relationships with people from another culture during his or her Highlander career. Harold "Skip" Lord, former athletic director at Houghton, says the essence of sports ministry is twofold: to serve the missionaries on the field by sharing the gospel and to change the lives of the people who go. "People don't understand the concept of sports ministry," says Lord. "It's more than playing a few games. We are using sports as a platform to reach others for Christ and at the same time, hoping to spark some change in the lives of our athletes and support personnel."
The athletic department continues to build relationships with churches, mission organizations such as The Wesleyan Church's Global Partners, and parachurch sports ministries agencies in order to widen sports ministry opportunities for the students. In recent years Houghton coaches and athletes have traveled on sports ministry trips with organizations such as Athletes in Action and Missionary Athletes International to Austria, China, England, France, Germany, Haiti, Japan, Jordan, Mexico, Philippines, Puerto Rico, Russia, Siberia, South Africa and Sweden. The coaches and athletes have also made trips under the university's auspices to Australia, the Bahamas, Costa Rica, the Czech Republic, Ethiopia, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Northern Ireland, Peru, Russia and Thailand. Through hands-on, innovative outreach initiatives, Houghton coaches and student athletes are working together to change the culture of sport and to change our culture and others all over the world through sport.
Teams from Houghton University have made more than 60 trips to 18 countries.
Where Have Houghton Teams Been?
Houghton teams have traveled to play and share Christ's love around the world.
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Men's Basketball
Czech Republic (2000, 2001, 2005, 2006)
Guatemala (2003)
Puerto Rico (2023)
Women's Basketball
Czech Republic (1998-2011)
Germany (2010)
Nicaragua (2014, 2017)
Cross Country and Track & Field
Bahamas (2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010)
United States service trips
(Spring Break 2001, 2002)
Men's Soccer
Czech Republic (2005 & 2006)
Northern Ireland (2002)
Peru (2009 and 2013)
Costa Rica (2017)
Brazil (2023)
Women's Soccer
Australia (1998)
Ethiopia (2001, 2005-2008)
Czech Republic (2006)
Costa Rica (2009)
Brazil (2011, 2013, 2023)
Romania and Austria (2016 - Sports Ministry Class)
Volleyball
Nicaragua (2005, 2006, 2008, 2012, 2015, 2023)
Honduras (2000)
Field Hockey
Thailand
Trinidad & Tobago (2013)
Tennis
Dominican Republic (2015)
High School Boys' Basketball
(led by Houghton coaches)
Russia (2002)
High School Girls' Basketball
(led by Houghton coaches)
Russia (2003)
Father-Son Basketball
Russia (2004)
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"Sports ministry is the integration of my faith in Jesus Christ within the context of sport. As a Coach, I desire to instill to my student-athletes the concept of skill development and the harmony of team-play as an expression of individual and corporate worship. Sport also provides a natural means to promote the building of relationships which in turn can be used for evangelism, discipleship and lifelong fellowship. Houghton has a unique vision and opportunity to play a key role in redeeming sports as an effective ministry tool and using it as an agent of change for the sake of the Kingdom of God."
-- David Lewis
Former Head Women's Soccer Coach
"Sports ministry is a concept which enables us as athletes and teams to use our respective sport as a platform for representing Christ. Sports provides a means of connection and identification with opponents and local and global community in which we have an opportunity to share Christ through our words and actions."
-- Matthew Webb
Director of Athletics, former Head Men's Soccer Coach
