Edited by Aubrey Coleman
On November 30, 2013, the day before Kane Gonzalez began his role as Sports Director at Redeemer Sports in Cumming, GA, he was given the responsibility of leading the draft for the K-1st grade boys division of the basketball league. The goal was clear: assemble the best team possible to win.
But it wasn’t an easy task. Since they don’t allow pre-formed teams and the registration is
open to the public, there is always a mix of new players, many of whom are just starting out in
the sport. Towards the end of the 1st grade boys’ draft, one coach refused to add a particular
child to his team, citing the low assessment score the child received. He called the boy “un-
coachable” and “unwanted.”
Fast forward to Spring Baseball 2025. On assessment day, Kane was out sick. His staff and
volunteer coaches took over, and told him it was the smoothest, happiest assessment ever.
The following Monday, a mom called the office and explained that her youngest child went
through the skill assessments, while her oldest son stayed behind to watch the older kids. One
of the coaches leading the field assessment noticed the boy watching
from the sidelines. He invited him out to the field to help catch balls and assist with the
assessments. It was clear that the boy never played baseball, and his score would have likely
been low, but the coach assured him it was okay. He explained that the focus of his team
wasn’t on where they started, but on growing and improving each week. Above all, the team
would learn that their identity wasn’t tied to their skills, but to how God saw them.
Later, when Kane spoke to the boy’s mom, she shared that they just moved to the area three
weeks ago, and were still searching for ways their children could get involved. When she asked
her son if he wanted to play, he replied, “It just feels good to be wanted.” The determining
factor for her oldest son joining them this season was not the facilities, it wasn’t because they
were organized and had great communication skills, it wasn’t because the advertisements
were effective, but because the coach noticed and invested in the young man.
This transformation of the coaches' focus over the years has been striking. Initially, the
emphasis was primarily on winning—on assembling the best teams and assessing players
based on their skills. Now, the goal isn't just about victory on the court or field, but about
helping players grow in their identity in Christ. Coaches like those mentioned have become a
living example of this change—focusing on helping players, regardless of their skill level,
understand that their value isn’t defined by how well they perform, but by how God sees
them. It’s no longer just about teaching sports skills; it’s about living and sharing the gospel—
that we are all wanted, loved, and valuable in God's eyes.
What seems to be your current ministry focus? How does this story encourage you to consider a more gospel-centered focus? Share in the comments!