Volleyball Ministry: How Sports Create Opportunities for Discipleship
April 16, 2026
“Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Matthew 28:18–20
For Greater Europe Mission worker Kim McKell, fulfilling the Great Commission takes a unique form—one that blends ministry with her passion for volleyball.
“Sports are a great opportunity to reveal your character and priorities. It’s not the only way, and it’s certainly not exclusive, but God has given me an opportunity to work in sports, so I’m going to use that to further His kingdom,” she says.
Kim finds opportunities to “go and make disciples” within this ministry in several ways:
As a Coach:
Serving at an International Christian School in Germany, Kim has seen that not every student has a personal relationship with Jesus. “Kids who go to a Christian school are not necessarily Christian,” Kim starts. “That being said, we do hold a certain standard, and I want them to know right up front how we’re going to operate, because I am first and foremost a believer.”
Many of the girls on the volleyball team, though, are strong believers and great examples of what being a Christian teen should look like. “It’s a privilege to see the majority of the girls not just speak about their faith, but walk it,” Kim admires. “They walk it out on the court, they walk it out after the games—it’s pretty cool to see.”
This faith was especially evident at their recent DoDEA Division II volleyball championship.
In between matches, the players and coaches had the chance to talk with others, build relationships, and share their faith. “Some conversations were short, others went deeper, but many began with the observation that our team, coaches, and parents seemed ‘different,’” Kim says. “That opened the door to explain that the difference people noticed was rooted in our faith.”
For Kim, moments like this are encouraging, as her goal remains to equip the players to understand the importance of being both strong competitors and lovers of Jesus.
As a Gatherer:
In Germany and surrounding countries, playing volleyball doesn’t often stay local. Typically, hours of travel—and sometimes even passports—are required to get to games, often leading to campouts on gym floors.
“We’ll often have kids joining us for breakfast,” Kim starts, “and you know, food is a great equaliser. We’re flipping pancakes at an outlet outside, and other teams will come; we’ll have conversations and share breakfast with them, or they’ll share with us, which is also really appreciated. So, it’s a whole other level from regular coaching.”
As a Mentor:
Aside from the natural discipleship that happens with coaching, Kim has additional opportunities to reach the girls.
“I’m at the school at lunchtime,” Kim says. “We have a team dinner once a week where the kids sit down. I also have a small group that I meet with every week, too, with about four of them from the volleyball team. They keep showing up, and I’m just grateful for the opportunity to be with them and to learn from them, because they have a lot to share, too.”
As a Colleague:
Discipleship doesn’t end with the students and the small group, though. Kim has found another way to share her faith.
“In this particular league, I’ve had the opportunity to develop relationships with the coaches, and I love that because they know that I’m a Christian,” Kim explains. “I’ve been here for a while and have gotten to see the coaches and their families grow.”
Kim is in a unique position. Because her school operates separately from the others, she’s not viewed as a direct insider—making her someone the other coaches feel safe opening up to.
“Sometimes the other coaches share things with me that I didn’t need to know. And it’s an amazing opportunity. Sometimes I just sit and listen, which is great practice because as a coach, I most often have words, but as a peer, I find that they have a lot to teach me, and a lot of times they just need somebody to vent to. And so I’m really happy to be that person and just listen,” Kim shares. “They know me well enough now for me to say, ‘Hey, if it’s okay with you, I’m going to pray about that.’—they know where I stand. And they’ll be like, ‘Great.’”
Sports can open doors to share the gospel in natural ways. For Kim, volleyball has become a space to build relationships, invest in others, and live out her faith. In doing so, she models how we can use the gifts God has given us for His glory.
At the end of the day, it’s really great to win a championship, but I would much rather have all the kids believe in Christ and know that they’ve got that relationship secured.
Kim McKell
Author: Leanne Monge Barrera serves in the Greater Europe Mission Canada Office as a Storyteller and Marketing Coordinator.