IN THIS EPISODE

• Growing up as an athlete (a basketball player) and the dedication she poured in to that | 1:47
• In addition to athletics, Christianity was a strong part of her foundations growing up  | 5:39
• When you’re raised in a Christian household, but then you make the decision to own your faith  | 8:23
• When faith and athletics mesh together well, and when one overtakes the other | 10:51
• A testament to free will | those in our lives that care about us, have to let us figure it out on our own  | 15:39
• What kind of a leader are you on the court, off the court, as a teammate, as a coach? | 19:24
• When we’re not rooted in Him, and Earthly things fall away, then what? | 24:50
• Sports is still my thing, and it’s always going to be my thing, through Him | 28:48
• Give yourself Grace because God does | 35:45

INSTANT TAKEAWAYS

1 | INTERTWINE CHRISTIANITY INTO ALL AREAS OF YOUR LIFE

We are not called to compartmentalize our lives when it comes to our relationship with the Father. We don’t have our friends on Sunday, that we see and interact with once a week, then we got back to living our separate lives. We’re called to represent Christ, always. The characteristics of Jesus should be seen in all areas of our lives, to everyone that we come across. Make sure that even when you’re at the post office, at work, or on the field, you’re representing your Father well. And that he’s forever present in your decisions and actions, daily. This applies to when you’re being a teammate and when you’re coaching; you’re focusing on fundamentals and skillsets along with faith development. If you’re a Christian, you’re a Christian no matter what you’re doing. 

2 | HE’S WAITING

Amy’s story probably sounds very similar to some of our own stories in a lot of ways. We think that we can make it on our own. He gifts us with all sorts of skill-sets, talents and abilities and we lean into those and trust in those more than we trust in Him. But the good news is, no matter how far we wander, He’s right there waiting for us to return. We see this in the Parable of the Prodigal Son, that God is waiting to welcome us back into His presence with open arms. Abandon the trust in what you think you can rely on with yourself, and give everything you have over to Him.

3 | GIVE YOURSELF GRACE

This was a fantastic point because it’s so self-explanitory. God gives us grace, and doesn’t continue to beat us up for our pasts. That’s why He sent His son to die for our sins! He loves us, and He really wants us to love ourselves. Give yourself grace, because He does.

SHOW NOTES

We’re glad to have you back for the next episode of our Identity series here on Anchor + Waves. Today, Wren interviews one of her best friends she’s known since childhood, a true gym-rat, Amy Parkins. Amy grew up in a conservative Christian household in Texas, where athletics were encouraged and your personal relationship with Christ equally as important.

Wren and Amy let you listen in to some awesome childhood stories, what it’s like being a mom, and growing into your faith. Listen in today to their conversation as we’re able to peer into this exchange between friends. It’s like we’re back in middle school and we’re the third connection on the phone as they discuss which NBA jerseys were in fashion, the important decision to switch from hats to visors, and instilling Christian values to your children.

You can also listen in to our newly launched Men’s Podcast Channel: Uncharted, as we’re currently running a sister-program on that channel for male athletes also called Identity.

IN THIS EPISODE

• Training and competing year round has to take a toll on you | 1:17
• “Proving” your “worth” and finding out who we are in Christ  | 3:32
• Being unashamed with your faith in every situation  | 7:51
• It’s important to build a Christ-Centered-Community around you | seek those out that want to help you grow | 9:47
• Transitioning from team sports to individual sports | An Audience of One  | 13:08
• Being brought up in a home that supported sports and pursued faith and currently fostering a similar environment | 18:24
• Even when we change, He never does | 22:35

INSTANT TAKEAWAYS

1 | HE ALWAYS PROVIDES

This one is short and sweet. Emerald talks about the Bible Study that she was in, and owning her faith her Sophomore year and how close she felt to God. And we can see that He placed some strong teammates around her at that time. Even though she never had a Christian coach, she never felt any opposition from her leaders in sports. And on top of that, she was fed by her peers and she grew in her love and reverence for the Lord. When we are faithful and are bold in our faith in Him, he will provide building blocks and support where we need it. He promises never to give us more than we can handle! He is there for us and it’s important to live up to the standards that He has set for us.

2 | HE IS ALWAYS THERE

A common feeling for individual-sport athletes is that it’s all on them. You control how fast you swim, you control how fast your run; you’re in control. But you don’t have to be alone in that! God is with us, always. He promises us that. He isn’t swaying the outcomes of sporting events in your favor, or anyone else’s favor. But he wants to be there with you, He wants you to invite Him into your passions. Don’t forget, you are created in His image, fearfully and wonderfully made! In Emerald’s case, she was gifted to run and made it a priority to run for His glory! You do your sport and perform for an audience of one. No matter what, He is faithful even when we are not.

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” | Joshua 1:9

SHOW NOTES

Welcome to the first episode and interview from our Identity series. We will be releasing a new episode every Monday for the coming weeks here and we hope you love listening as much as we did capturing the stories here. We have women from every stage of life, who rooted themselves in every sport, who have all come to realize where their identity and passions firmly lie in life, and what really matters. Where our pursuits should be.

Today, we have Wren Pauley interviewing Emerald Holden on to start things off. Emerald is a small town girl who grew up in Wyoming and passionately pursued running and the Lord throughout college and her adult life. Listen in today as she describes finding her actual roots while pursuing her passions and being a mom and a wife while maintaining her eyes on the end goal and filling up her passion bucket with what really matters.

You can also listen in to our newly launched Men’s Podcast Channel: Uncharted, as we’re currently running a sister-program on that channel for male athletes also called Identity.

IN THIS EPISODE

• Wren is running away to Poland to join Josiah Venture | 0:36
• What we’re hoping you get out of our Identity Series  | 3:02
• Wren started off her athletic career in the team sports realm  | 6:39
• In your fomative years, press into coaches, mentors, and those around you that can disciple you | 10:31
• By emulating Christ-like characteristics we’re better leaders, teammates, coaches, players, etc. | 14:08
• The status of the Sports + Rec Ministries at Mission Hills Church | 19:11
• A heart for those that do community side by side | 22:41

INSTANT TAKEAWAYS

1 | WHERE IS YOUR IDENTITY ROOTED?

Throughout our lives, we’re constantly trying to come up with some sort of a definition of who we are. We place worth, value, and who we are in everything from our jobs to our families to what we enjoy to do on the weekends. And culture isn’t helping us with that either. This is especially true in the world of Sports + Recreation as well! Media tells us that we need to eat, sleep, and drink whatever we’re involved in and that’s how we will find true worth and value. But how often do we see athletes retire and then ask, “Now what”? Throughout this series we will be bringing you stories of where identity truly lies, in Christ. Root yourself in Christ, and build your foundation there; a place that is eternal.

2 | LEADERSHIP SPANS PLATFORMS

As humans we tend to want to put things in neat little boxes. Some stuff fits here, and other stuff fits over there. But, Christ has called us to be leaders. Not only leaders in our churches through our examples of being reflections of Him but also in our communities. We can apply the same leadership qualities and characteristics that Christ modelled for us, and use them anywhere in our lives. Wren speaks about applying her leadership and discipleship training to her role on the court with her teammates and with the girls she used to coach. By instilling those characteristics as leadership measuring sticks, we ensure the reflecting of Christ in all that we do and all those that are around us do too.

SHOW NOTES

We are so excited to bring to you a new series on Anchor + Waves called, “Identity”. This is going outside of what we’ve done so far, and we’re can’t wait to show it to you. This series is all about how people have experienced sports, recreational activities, or the outdoors in a significant way and how it’s played a role in their faith and identity.

So over the next 9 episodes, we will be bringing you stories from athletes, outdoors-women, coaches, and everyone in between to inspire and encourage you to really lay a strong foundation in your faith that you can stand strong on. Listen in today as we get to know Wren Pauley and Colin McFarland, the two directors that will be taking you through this series.