Gifts from God: How Sportcasting and Theological Education Interact

By Dr. Harmon

I majored in telecommunications during my early college years at Ohio University, pursuing a dream of becoming a sportscaster. I loved being part of the action. Whether it was narrating the game, explaining plays, or drawing listeners into the excitement, I loved helping others see and feel what’s happening on the court or field through my words.

At the time, I had no idea how meaningful my sportscasting skills would become decades later, or how they would give me a broader lens for these gifts from God through ministry and theological education. What began as a college passion has now become a window into how God uses even our earliest interests to bring Him glory.

Coming Full Circle

Though I loved sportscasting, I felt God call me to full-time ministry during my sophomore year of college. In my call to ministry, my passion for sportscasting was put on the back burner, trusting that obedience mattered more than personal ambition.

More than thirty years of ministry and theological education later, I now serve as the sports broadcaster for the Grace Men’s basketball games. While watching the games with my son, we provide commentary and play-by-play for listeners. I often pause and thank God for His kindness. The fact that He brought back something I once loved and allowed me to share it with my son is one of many gifts from God!

That’s one of the beautiful realities of seminary education. God doesn’t discard our passions; He refines them! At Grace Theological Seminary, we regularly help students see how God uses their past experiences and spiritual growth to strengthen their future ministry.

Lessons From the Game

Sports have long been one of the ways that God teaches me about perseverance, teamwork, humility, and growth. These same lessons are deeply connected to pastoral ministry and are sharpened through intentional theological education. Here are three lessons that stand out to me:

1.Sports and Spiritual Growth

Coaching for ten years has shown me that players are motivated in different ways. While some respond well to intensity and challenges, others need quiet encouragement and personal connection with the coach.

That lesson has translated in my life to the skill of discipleship. Just as a coach adapts to each player’s needs, a pastor or ministry leader must meet people where they are. This is a skill that a seminary education helps cultivate in students. 

In Acts 20:18-21, Paul reminds the church in Ephesus of his humility and dedication, serving “with tears” and “with trials.” Like a faithful coach, he invested deeply in the people he led. He encourages and challenges them toward spiritual growth. 

At Grace Theological Seminary, we emphasize theological education that prepares students to disciple wisely, teach faithfully, and lead with both truth and compassion. A good pastor and ministry leader will recognize someone’s gifts from God, understand how people are motivated, and use that knowledge to guide them toward spiritual growth in appropriate ways. True discipleship may be hard in the moment, but it is required to grow and become more like Christ, much like an athlete trains for their goal.

2. Spiritual Realities

One of my favorite parts of sportscasting is calling a great comeback. The crowd thinks it’s over, and some fans even begin to leave, but then at the last moment, the team pulls out a victory. These moments always remind me of the greatest comeback in history: the resurrection of Jesus Christ. 

Seminary trains us to see these connections clearly, teaching us to recognize everyday experiences that point to eternal truths. A good comeback shows a small picture of what the disciples felt when Jesus rose again! When all hope seemed lost, the Son of God rose again, defeating sin and death. From their darkest moment, the greatest moment in history came about. The joy, excitement, and celebration of this moment echo in every sports comeback I witness.

While it is such a small shadow to the greatness of our Lord’s resurrection, sports give us a small taste of that spiritual reality. Grace Theological Seminary exists to help students see the world through this biblical lens, equipping them to connect Scripture, theology, and everyday life for the sake of the Church.

3. Gifts from God

Sports allow us to demonstrate and fully embody the excellence that God calls us to experience. Colossians 3:23-24 says, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.”  

Whether we are coaching, preaching, or broadcasting, we are called to do our work with excellence. This is not to draw attention to ourselves, but to magnify the One who gave us the ability to do so. 

When athletes play with skill and integrity, when coaches lead with humility, and when broadcasters speak with encouragement, they all reflect the image of God. In a very small way, this picture shows how we can reflect God’s character. We take our gifts from God to do something exceptional with them. 

Seminary education helps leaders steward their gifts faithfully for God’s glory. Just as athletes, pastors who preach with clarity, and leaders who speak with wisdom reflect the character of God.

I’ve seen God use simple conversations with players to plant seeds of faith. Years after playing on my team, players have told me that lessons from the court have shaped their walk with Christ. Even through broadcasting, parents and fans have shared how much they appreciate the way we speak about the players, highlighting their character, teamwork, and joy. Words have power. When we think about how we use our words, they have far greater impact.

Steward Every Gift

God doesn’t waste our passions. What once seemed like a hobby in sportscasting has become a way to glorify the Lord and encourage others. Whatever your passions are, know that they are gifts from God, and they can be used for His glory.

Whether you’re on the court, behind a pulpit, in a classroom, or at home, your skills, passions, and gifts are tools for God’s glory. Seminary exists to help you steward them well. At Grace Theological Seminary, we believe your calling doesn’t pause while you pursue theological education. It grows stronger through it!

Like me, you may one day find your gifts from God bringing your story full circle, using them to serve Him best for His glory and for the good of His people.