More Than a Game: Making Disciples Through Football at Concordia St. Paul
In a world where college athletics is often dominated by stats, scholarships, and championships, something deeper is stirring at Concordia University, St. Paul. Here, a football program is powerfully modeling what it means to use sport as a vehicle for discipleship, spiritual growth, and Gospel transformation.
For DJ Davis, FCA’s Twin Cities Metro Collegiate Director, this mission began with an obedient “yes” to coming on staff with Minnesota FCA.
“In the past year, I've had the extraordinary privilege of being a contributor to a vision that was given to one coach,” DJ shares. “It has truly been a gift and a blessing to see how this vision has now become reality.”
That coach is Shannon Currier, Head Coach of the Golden Bears, who didn't always see his role as a spiritual leader.
“I started as a head coach at 28,” he recalls. “But, I was not comfortable leading the players spiritually back then. When I came back to Concordia in 2016, I spoke with a player after his son’s funeral, and he told me he noticed how much my faith had grown. He shared that he wished I had led spiritually back when I was younger.”
Now, Coach Currier's approach is entirely different. His faith is the foundation of the culture he’s building - a culture where players encounter Christ, not just playbooks.
“Time and maturity in this profession make you recognize what this is truly about,” Currier says. “You begin with a love of the game, but then you see that we’re here to impact these guys for life beyond this game. That’s how you leave a legacy.”
For players like redshirt sophomore Isaiah Wray, that impact is deeply personal:
“One thing about Coach Currier is that he is a really faithful man and he shows it through the way he talks to us and his desire to show his faith in our team meetings, our practices, and all the things that we do together. When I came into the program, I really wasn't into my faith as much but coach's desire to help us grow got me to grow my faith as well"
That kind of influence doesn’t happen by accident. It’s intentional, relational, and deeply embedded in everyday team life. From regular practices, to Wednesday morning athlete huddles, to Thursday coaches Bible studies, the Word of God is a regular part of the Golden Bears’ routine.
“Coach C is bringing all these amazing people into the into the program that's just helping us grow. And, Mr. DJ - he's literally lived this life before, like he's played football, he's dealt with everything that comes with football, and knows what you may be going through. Everybody has those mental ups and downs and our coaches and DJ help us keep pushing for Christ. It's amazing to have them as role models versus like a Pastor or somebody who may not be able to relate to what you're going through on and off the field. It's just amazing."
The Gospel becomes tangible when it’s lived out in the trenches - on the practice field, in film study, during weight room reps, and late-night conversations. This is what it looks like to “make disciples” through sport. It’s not about preaching from a pulpit. It’s about walking alongside players through wins, losses, and everything in between.
“This is more than just coaching,” DJ says. “There’s a call in this profession to win what is most significant - how you reflect Jesus.”
That’s echoed by Coach Roepke:
“The wins and losses, they come and go. But, our identity stays in Him, and He will always be faithful to us. Football is a platform - coaching is a platform for us to be able to build the Kingdom."
And the players? They feel the difference.
“It’s empowering,” says tight end EJ Stoffel. “Some schools won’t even let you mention God. Here, we’re surrounded by a brotherhood that’s helping us grow in our faith.”
From the locker room to the line of scrimmage, from pregame prayers to postgame reflections, Concordia St. Paul’s football team is more than just a team - it’s a discipleship movement. A place where legacy is measured not in trophies, but in transformed lives.
Connect with us:
Subscribe to Blog:
