Story of God at Work in Athletes at the University of Montana
By Deacon Tuttle
Do you believe God can work inside your interests and hobbies to accomplish His purpose? God has been empowering Jack to share Jesus with the University of Montana athletes, and the impacts have been eternal. As a psychology student, Jack spends his free time playing sports recreationally. But last July, something Jack didn’t expect happened exactly like this—during a rec basketball league, God orchestrated a connection that became the first fruit of Jack’s labor. While playing, Jack met Vai, who plays linebacker for the UM football team. What started as a simple friendship built on training together soon became a deeper relationship, one that led not only to a strong bond but also to discipleship.
According to Jack, pursuing Vai was a slow and steady process. Throughout three months, God was sowing and growing seeds within Vai. “He was asking me about my faith and why I operate the way I do. It was a great opportunity to share about Jesus,” Jack says. As Vai showed more curiosity to experience spirituality and community, they began to read the Bible together. This turned into a routine, with weekly Bible studies and experiencing more life alongside the Godly community, and God revealed Himself to Vai.
Vai said He was able to see how much Jesus had done for Jack, and he was curious what that could be like for him. Vai came to Jack during training one day and let him know that he had prayed for the first time. Vai said, “Things are going well in my life, and I believe that God is real based on all the good that has happened.”
In September of 2024, Vai surrendered his life to Jesus. More and more athletes heard about Jack’s physical training, and it took off from there. Since then, by God’s grace, there are now six people in total that Jack is discipling from this mission field. This includes teaching them about Jesus through his actions and demeanor, reading the Bible, and an athlete-centered community group hosted by the school. Jack has been able to be available for the men in his life in personal training with sports as well as spiritual disciplines.
God has witnessed to athletes through Jack’s character as he displays the fruit of the Spirit. Matthew 7:16 states, “You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thorn bushes, or figs from thistles?” This means that, as Christians, we should stand apart from the world; this is God working through us. For example, be it love, joy, peace, or patience, this is exactly what Vai noticed. Jack says, “He asked why I was so calm and grateful all the time and kind to others.” This is not the work of Jack but of the Lord in his life. We should take note of this as we seek to show God’s heart for others.
In his pursuit of athletes, Jack notices that many of them struggle with placing their ultimate identity in their performance on the field and the weekend parties that follow the games.
Performance and results are meaningful, but Jack is encouraging that people would put away cockiness, arrogance, and to live for more.
“It does matter what you do. God is really opening their eyes and hearts that there is more to life than them and athletics,” Jack says. A key step to growing closer in our walk with Jesus is humbling oneself and confessing sin. Scripture outlines this principle.
“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility, value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.”
Jack wants people to know that it doesn’t have to look a certain way to live missionally. He reflects on the idea that God gives everyone specific gifts (1 Corinthians 7:7-8). God can and will use us where we are. “We can make big impacts in worlds we’d never imagine.” He says we need Christian bankers and lawyers, we need campus ministers and pastors. No matter what our occupation is, our general calling is to go and make disciples of Jesus wherever we are.
Jack was able to learn this truth first hand. The amazing thing about Jack’s story is that he felt that he was done with witnessing to athletes. His previous experiences had left him feeling burnt out. However, the Lord had other plans. God changed His heart, and now he knows this is where he’s being called. Through being a resource for athletes on and off the field, he has discovered a new passion for this ministry.
Lastly, it can be hard to branch out from the specific team where schedules revolve around a student-athlete. Let’s join Jack in praying, “ [Praying] that they’re open to new experiences and open to faith in God and His kingdom.”
