SPOTLIGHTS

Hudson Belk: Faith, Sports and the Call to Ministry

Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) Lead Chaplain Hudson Belk leads as the coordinator of the ministry. Belk, who has worked with CEDE Sports since June 2011, said his purpose is to be led. 

"I remember to look to Jesus and let him be the motivation, even for all of my obedience and desire for faithfulness to God. In ministry, that's what I'll point people to: Jesus," said Belk.

Belk has various responsibilities, including assisting with the equipping process for churches and leading Bible services at JGR. 

"We're trying to figure out how to help churches leverage the resources God has given us to use sports as a bridge and a laboratory for sharing the gospel," said Belk.

Early years

Belk spent the first five years of his life in Seneca, S.C., before moving to Charleston. Both of his parents graduated from Clemson University, passing down a legacy. 

Belk grew up in a Christian household and knew early on he needed a savior. 

"I grew up in the church hearing the Gospel a lot. I remember even my dad doing door-to-door evangelism," said Belk. "The reality of my sin, and the need for the hope of Heaven that's only found in Christ, was something as a kid that I was just exposed to."

Spiritual growth

Belk gave his life to Christ at the age of five, which marked the beginning of his spiritual journey. Over the years, he grew to understand the Gospel more, but he still had questions. 

"I developed a deep love for the Lord, but I also put a lot of pressure on myself to be a witness for Jesus," said Belk. "I felt extreme pressure, not realizing that it was the spirit of God working in me to do that, and that it was His work in my life."

After high school, Belk, who had achieved success in baseball, took his talents to the Citadel Military College of South Carolina. Belk, expecting to play right away, had to take a redshirt year, leading to a spiritual breakthrough. 

"I was struggling in school and sports," said Belk. "Making me wonder, 'What do I have?' That was a huge breakthrough moment, where I realized what it means to depend on Him as the true God of my life."

Before his junior year, Belk transferred to Clemson, where he continued working towards a degree in business management. Outside of academics, Belk was starting to get involved with a few student ministries on campus.

"God had been doing a lot in my life, and I got involved with some campus ministries and was just finding so much joy in the ministry aspect," said Belk.

Path to ministry

After graduating, God had plans for Belk's future and created an unexpected path.

"Growing up, I knew the Gospel and had a heart for ministry, but I didn't know much about it. Being a pastor didn't seem like the future for me, and it wasn't on my mind," said Belk. 

Belk was approached to lead a campus ministry at The Citadel in Charleston. He spent three years there, and God once again stepped in.

"I met my now-wife, and we were planning to get married. I was also going to leave the staff," said Belk. "Our campus ministry was undergoing some transitions and was planting a new ministry in North Carolina. There was all this transition, and I thought, 'You know what? I think I've done my time with this. God, where are you leading me?"

Belk felt a strong desire to pursue ministry, and with his wife, Catherine's, support, he moved to Charlotte to attend Reform Theological Seminary. After three years, he earned his Master of Divinity and planned to work for a denomination to further engage in college ministry. 

God brought Bob Dyar, Founder and CEO of CEDE Sports and the Lead Chaplain of JGR, into Belk's life. On the day of Belk's graduation, Dyar offered him a position. 

"I met Bob, and interestingly, his daughter was also involved in the same campus ministry as I was, so we built a relationship," said Belk. "Bob said, 'Why don't you think about coming and working with me doing chaplaincy at Joe Gibbs Racing?' I decided to do that as I felt like it fit my gifts."

Time at JGR 

Belk has spent over 14 years at JGR, utilizing his platform for discipleship through Bible studies and small groups. Belk said his favorite thing is the access to the people.

"It's the favor we're given to enter into people's lives, build relationships with them and learn their stories. I'm thankful for the access to that, which allows me to do that in a relational context," said Belk. 

Belk has felt God using him to help others come to know Him.

"I am drawn to non-believers evangelistically, but I also want to see those who are following Christ grow into leaders, and to help them become deeply rooted," said Belk. 

CEDE Sports connection 

The JGR ministry is one of the central pillars of the CEDE Sports mission. Belk, who leads the JGR Ministry, feels CEDE has empowered him to go deeper. 

"What gets me most excited about CEDE Sports is that we believe in the Bible. Then we want to take what God has given us and use those gifts to see the Gospel go forth, to see disciples made, and to see the Great Commission happen," said Belk.

Belk said the need for CEDE Sports continues to grow. 

"The importance of the local church lies in making disciples and staying under the authority of God's Word," said Belk. "These kinds of things that we cling to are essential, and there's a great resource in using sports. God has given me a love for sports, allowing me to connect with people for a much greater cause through CEDE."

Faith perspectives

Belk is a loving husband and father to three girls, Bailey, Emma and Harper, which has helped him grow spiritually. Belk said what drives him is wanting people to know Jesus and his goodness. 

"I hope my legacy is that people were drawn to him through whatever interactions God gifted me with them," said Belk. "I'm someone who needed Jesus, and people got to know how much they need Jesus through time with me."

Belk's journey from athlete to chaplain reflects a life shaped by a deep desire to lead others to Jesus. He continues to use his passion for sports as a powerful bridge to share the Gospel and make disciples.