John 3:16 | Colossians 3:23 | Galatians 6:4 | 1 Corinthians 2:9 | Psalm 77:18

We believe basketball is a platform for something greater — and that something greater is faith and a relationship with Jesus Christ.

OUR CALLING AS COACHES

We are more than coaches; we are servants of Christ using basketball as our ministry. Every practice, huddle, and timeout is a platform to show Christ’s love through our words, actions, and example. Our mission is to help players grow in both skill and faith, learning that excellence on the court means nothing without character off it.
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord.” Colossians 3:23

OUR STANDARD OF COACHING

1. Pray before and after every practice and game.
2. Reflect Christ’s love in tone, body language, and leadership.
3. Celebrate effort over outcome — we honor God by how we compete.
4. Encourage faith conversations, prayer, and spiritual growth among players.
5. Model humility, respect, and grace toward all teams, officials, and families.

THE SEVEN PILLARS OF THE LIGHTNING FAMILY

• God First: Every decision and action begins with honoring Him. (Matthew 6:33)
• Basketball IQ: Learn to think the game; wisdom glorifies God. (Proverbs 2:6)
• Master Fundamentals: Excellence in the basics leads to confidence. (Proverbs 22:29)
• Elite Training: We push ourselves with purpose and integrity. (Hebrews 12:1)
• Nutrition: Our body is a temple; stewardship matters. (1 Corinthians 6:19–20)
• Rest & Recovery: God designed rest for renewal. (Psalm 46:10)
• Have Fun: We are competitive team and we step on the court to win every game. However, no matter what the scoreboard says, we always exit the court a champion and we keep getting better. (1 Corinthians 9:24)

COACH WEEKLY REFLECTION PROMPTS:

• Did I lead with patience, faith, and humility?
• Where did I see spiritual growth or leadership emerge within the team?
• Did my words and actions reflect Christ’s character under pressure?
• How did I pray for or with my players this week?
• What lesson might God be teaching me through this season’s challenges?
“Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds
and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:16

FAITH & REFLECTION

• Take five minutes weekly with your team or staff to review and pray.
• What’s Going Well: Where have we seen God at work through our players, team culture, or relationships?
• Where Prayer Is Needed: Who is struggling physically, emotionally, or spiritually? How can we lift them up?
• Who Can I Disciple: Which player or coach needs encouragement or guidance this week?
• What do I need prayers for this week? Who can I ask to pray for me?

EXAMPLE PRAYERS & TEAM DEVOTIONS

Pre-Practice Prayer
Lord, thank You for today. Help us to prepare with focus, effort, and joy. May everything we do bring You glory. In Jesus name, amen.

Pre-Game Prayer
Father, thank You for bringing us together. Let us play with unity, discipline, and love. Protect every player and let our hearts reflect You. In Jesus Name, Amen.

Post-Game Prayer
God, thank You for this competition. Whether we won or lost, we honor You for the lessons learned. Keep us humble in victory and gracious in defeat. In Jesus Name, Amen.

Mid-Season Prayer
Lord, renew our strength and passion. Keep our focus on serving You through the game, and remind us that character outlasts performance. In Jesus Name, Amen.

COACH PETE’S MESSAGE:

First, I appreciate and thank God alone for every Blessing and every lesson He has allowed us to go through and overcome together! I also am thankful to Jesus for all the Great Colorado Lightning players, families, coaches, trainers, supporters, and sponsors for all of our successes and commitment to our development on and off the court over the past 14 years. Your dedication to our players, to the Lightning Family philosophy, and Knowing God is paying off for us now in the present time and will continue forever into the future. I look forward to the next level in our development, constantly achieving continuous improvement. ….Blessings

Coach Commitment Section:

“In Jesus’ Name We Play — I commit to leading, coaching, and serving in alignment with Colorado Lightning’s faith-based mission.”