In my role as director of the Faith & Sports Institute (FSI), I get to meet a lot of people who are passionate about faith and sports and curious about what we do at Truett Seminary.

Usually, they know that we are connected to Baylor University’s seminary, and they know that Baylor is a Christian university with good sports teams. But they want to know more. A sports program at a seminary? How does that work?

I put together this list to respond to the most frequent questions I get about FSI. If it strikes a chord or fires you up, you are probably someone we would like to meet!

What is the Faith & Sports Institute?
The Faith & Sports Institute is a program at Baylor’s Truett Seminary that takes sports seriously. We provide theological education, spiritual formation, and practical training for current and aspiring Christian leaders and ministers in sports.

Because we are a part of a R1 doctoral institution, we work to produce new scholarship that can contribute to a greater public understanding of sports and Christianity in our culture. We seek to collaborate and connect with partners at Baylor and beyond who are already doing incredible work to blend Christian faith and sports.

Does FSI have any programs or opportunities for me?
If you are a Christian interested or involved in sports, we have something for you!

Our foundation is our graduate degree programs. We have both residential and online options. Residential students can pursue a concentration in sports ministry/chaplaincy. Online students can receive a Master of Arts (MA) in Theology and Sports Studies.

We also have a non-credit online certificate program that provides continuing education for Christians involved in sports from all over the world. Course topics include mental health, theology, race, leadership, spiritual formation and more — all with a Biblical foundation and a focus on how those topics intersect with sports.

In addition, we host events, gatherings and workshops where we bring expert voices and perspectives into conversations with the coaches, athletes, chaplains and athletic administrators who are doing important work on the ground.

Who enrolls in an FSI program? What does it prepare them to do?
A wide variety of people from across the world have enrolled in FSI programs. Most are involved or interested in one of these spaces: sports ministry, high school or college athletics, pro and elite sports, and/or church leadership. We welcome a conversation with anyone who feels called to pursue advanced education and training in sports, ministry and theology.

Adam Puckett, a college athletic director, found that FSI classes helped him “think critically and creatively about how we approach faith formation within the context of collegiate athletics.”

Brian Smith, a sports ministry leader and author of “The Christian Athlete,” discovered “a vault of new ministry resources that I never knew existed.”

Josepha Mbouma, a former college athlete who enrolled in FSI’s residential program, became “better equipped to holistically engage” other athletes as a sports chaplain.

Like the three students above, graduates from our programs can expect to strengthen Christian leadership and ministry skills, develop a deeper understanding of sports and Christianity, and become faithful and effective leaders who care for the people and culture of sports.

 

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Does FSI work with Baylor Athletics?
Yes, we collaborate with Baylor Athletics in a variety of ways.

Last summer, FSI partnered with Baylor Athletics to offer an immersive retreat for athletes, combining faith and competition in a unique experience. Today, two of our residential students are interning with the Baylor Athletics Sports Ministry team, gaining hands-on experience in sports ministry. And this year, FSI and Baylor Athletics also received a capacity-building grant to delve deeper into Christian character formation in college athletics, reinforcing our partnership.

In the new college sports landscape, FSI is helping to support Baylor Athletics as it pursues competitive excellence while leaning into its Christian mission and identity.

What is new and exciting with FSI?
We currently have a record number of graduate students in our programs with more than 50 students enrolled this fall. The best and most exciting thing we get to do at FSI is form and shape those students into leaders who apply what they learn to their sports contexts in dynamic, creative and faithful ways.

There is also one big upcoming event worth mentioning: Next summer, Truett Seminary’s FSI team will host the 4th Global Congress on Sport and Christianity. This event happens every three years, bringing together a wide range of people who are passionate about exploring sports and Christianity in a deeper way.

Check out the Call for Proposals to learn more and join the conversation!

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