Grit Ministries is redefining what it means to lead in sports, with a mission that goes far beyond the field.
The organization operates under Christian-based leadership principles, aimed at transforming coaches into leaders who inspire not only their teams but their communities. As their mission statement says, "Grit Ministries exists to glorify God through equipping, encouraging, supporting, and challenging individuals in living for Christ."
Founded by Travis Labhart and Connor Nichols, both men recognized the need for strong leadership in coaching from their own experiences in athletics, Grit Ministries was built to create a space where coaches could learn, grow and connect with one another.
The organization’s goal is to help coaches see their role not just as sports mentors but as life leaders, empowered by faith, service and compassion.
“We believe through the avenue of sports, we can play a small part in shaping future generations,” Labhart said. “Sports are the ninth-largest industry in the world. Coaches are at the tip of the spear for this industry.”
At the core of Grit Ministries’ philosophy is the recognition of the pivotal role that coaches play in the lives of young athletes. From little leagues to professional arenas, coaches influence character, resilience and teamwork.
In today’s sports culture, the pressure to win can often times weigh heavily on coaches, causing them to forget that sports are supposed to be fun and uplifting. Grit Ministries seeks to counter this trend by providing a holistic approach to coaching—one that prioritizes leadership development grounded in Christian values.
But what if the focus shifted from winning by all costs to encouraging young players to take the skills learned on the field and apply them to every day life? This is the heart of Grit Ministries’ mission: To teach coaches to lead with compassion, integrity and a servant’s heart.
“We believe that through the sharing and equipping of the Gospel of Jesus Christ to coaches, lives can be changed” Labhart said. “Coaches have one of the largest platforms of any profession that has a direct impact on the future generations.”
At its core, Grit Ministries focuses on three guiding principles: Faith-based leadership, community engagement and personal growth. These principles serve as a moral compass for coaches as they guide their teams on and off the field.
Faith-based leadership is the foundation of all the organization’s programs, teaching coaches to lead by example and live out Christian values, including humility, honesty and grace.
The second pillar, community engagement, encourages coaches to extend their leadership beyond the playing field. Grit Ministries empowers coaches to serve as role models within their neighborhoods, schools and churches.
The third focus, personal growth, underscores the idea that leadership development is an ongoing journey. Grit Ministries offers workshops, seminars, and one-on-one mentoring designed to help coaches hone their leadership skills. Topics range from effective communication and conflict resolution to team building and servant leadership.
“Many coaches have difficulty creating relationships,” Labhart said. “They are scrutinized on every level. But they are most scrutinized by the scoreboards at the end of games.”
He recalled how he had been working with one coach for some time on how to deal with the pressure of losing. Labhart said they studied the Bible together during his coaching season and during the offseason, which helped this coach on a personal and professional level.
“One day at the close of our session, tears filled his eyes and he said, ‘Thank you. I don’t know what I would have done, if you had not shown up in my life,’” Labhart said. “My own heart was heavy at these words. He and many others have this experience …
“My greatest joy is to bring a hope that is lasting and goes beyond wins and losses. For the first time in his life, he began to experience a burden lifted as he learned of a lasting love that is unchanging.”
One of the most unique aspects of Grit Ministries is the community of coaches it fosters. The organization builds a strong sense of camaraderie among coaches, encouraging them to lean on each other for support.
“Our long-term vision is to support and discipline coaches in what it means to follow Jesus through active one-on-one coaching, retreats, coaching clinics, conferences and an online database that provides coaches with guidance and support,” Labhart said. “Our hope is to expand our team and reach beyond the boundaries of Texas.”
To learn more about Grit Ministries and to donate to help future coaches be better stewards, visit www.gritministries.com.