The Faith & Sports Institute's Youth Sports Summit

Youth sports have become a $37 billion industry in the United States. And for many families, these sports are not just a pastime—they are a lifestyle. Schedules revolve around practices, budgets buckle under equipment costs, and identities feel intertwined with team colors and personalized bleacher seats.
This athletic boom presents unique challenges for Christian parents, pastors, coaches, and athletes. Everyone feels the crunch. How do families reconcile faith and regular church involvement with the pressures and priorities of the sports world? How do coaches and parents provide a space for young athletes to experience the joys and positive benefits of sports while resisting the harmful excesses? How do pastors disciple youth sports parents in their congregation?
In February 2025, the Faith & Sports Institute at Baylor’s Truett Seminary is hosting a Youth Sports Summit to engage in these questions. We will listen and learn from key stakeholders and leaders, including pastors, parents, coaches, athletes, and sports ministry leaders. The goal is to create a space for conversation, community, and support, equipping Christian parents and pastors to faithfully engage with youth sports for the good of our communities and the flourishing of the people involved.