As a coach for my son’s traveling baseball team, I loved being on the bench with the players both when we were in the field and up to bat. When the opportunity came to coach first base, I jumped at the chance. But I missed my time in the dugout. When I was in the dugout with the players, I could give them my full attention about baseball. But more importantly, I could also give them my attention about things other than baseball. 

My son and his teammates are now on their high school varsity team. Last week, the coach pulled the juniors aside and told them how much he enjoys the camaraderie they have and appreciates their solid leadership. One of those players stopped by that night to tell me the story and to thank me for being a coach that modeled on the bench what their varsity coach appreciates about them now. It was a highlight of my career. 

Are you a coach on a mission or a leader on your team? If you are, find ways to spend as much time with your teammates as possible. Let them see you living out your life. Prove to them your authenticity of character and faith. Give them ample opportunity to see, experience, and catch the faith that you have. In this way, Billy Graham’s quote is proved true: “A coach will impact more people in one year than the average person will in an entire lifetime.”