OUR STORY

The inspiration behind the founding of CEDE Sports traces back to 1996, when it was originally known as Carolina Sports Outreach (CSO) in Charlotte, North Carolina. It was founded by Bob Dyar, motivated by identifying a gap in ministry—a need for churches and sports chaplains to engage people through relational, sports‑centered outreach, rather than through traditional imperative moralism or pragmatism .

🎯 Foundational Mission:

  • To equip churches and chaplains to minister through the universal language of sports and meet people where they are .

  • Sports served as a bridge, opening relational access, while spiritual transformation came through gospel‑centered presence and discipleship, not just athletic involvement .

How CEDE Sports Has Evolved Over Time

Growth and Expansion

  • In 1999, CSO expanded beyond North Carolina into Georgia, Florida, and Virginia. In response, it rebranded as the Sports Outreach Group (SOG) and formed a church‑centric division called Church Sports Outreach (CSO) .

  • By 2003, CEDE Sports added more staff, including Bob Schindler, to meet growing demand for training and resources for churches and chaplains .

International Reach

  • In 2007, CEDE began global outreach—Bob Dyar and Bob Schindler traveled and trained in countries across Africa (Ghana, Kenya, South Africa, Zimbabwe) and Asia (Vietnam, China, Thailand) .

  • By 2010, chaplaincy efforts had expanded significantly, especially through sports chaplain support at Joe Gibbs Racing, serving hundreds weekly via small groups and chaplain care .

Rebranding as CEDE

  • In 2016, the organization officially changed its name from SOG to CEDE Sports. The name “cede” reflects the idea of yielding or submitting—a posture of service and partnership, aligning with their mission to see God glorified through others succeeding .

Today's Mission & Focus

Core Vision

  • CEDE Sports continues to mobilize churches and sports chaplains, aiming to minister through sports in a gospel‑centered, relational way .

Ministries and Tools

  • They coach sports‑rec‑&‑fitness (SR&F) leaders in local churches and train chaplains, providing strategic coaching, leadership development, theological framework, and community support .

  • They also maintain community apps (e.g. SCC and SRF apps) to connect ministry leaders globally—sharing resources, encouragement, prayer, and best practices .

Leadership & Curriculum

  • CEDE now offers a Leadership Center with structured courses: Gospel‑Centered Sports Ministry, Leadership in Sports Outreach, Relational Outreach, Theology of Competition, and more—designed to equip SR&F and chaplain leaders to build thriving sports‑based ministry within the local church .

Global Reach

  • Over 25+ years, they’ve partnered with thousands of churches and sports chaplains across 100+ countries, operating in North and South America, Europe, Asia, and Africa, with staff and associates deployed worldwide .

  • The REACH gathering, founded in 2014 in partnership with CSRM and UW Sports Ministry, further supports a movement of SR&F leaders—with CEDE as a Foundational Partner—focusing on inspiration, equipping, and community building .

📌 Summary Table

Phase / YearFocus & Mission Development1996 – CSO beginsMobilizing churches & chaplains via relational sports ministry1999–2003Regional expansion; renamed SOG; Church division launched; staff growth2007First international training trips (Africa, Asia)2010Growth of chaplaincy, especially at Joe Gibbs Racing2016Rebranded as CEDE Sports (“to yield”); global mission affirmed2014–PresentFoundational Partner in REACH gathering; strong emphasis on global church-SRF network2020sLeadership curriculum, networking apps, coaching thousands across continents

In Conclusion

CEDE Sports was birthed out of a vision to mobilize churches and chaplains to enter the world of sports as a means of relational outreach and gospel ministry. Throughout more than 25 years, the organization has expanded regionally, then internationally, rebranded to reflect a posture of humble service, and developed robust resources—training, community, conferences, networking tools—to equip sports-connected ministry leaders worldwide in reproducing gospel‑centered disciple‑making through sports.