There is something powerful that happens when coaches slow down long enough to be poured into.
That is exactly what has been taking place over the past few months through the leadership of
Minnesota FCA Golf Director, Mike Seiffert. What started as a simple idea has already begun to shape coaches across multiple states, and it is only the beginning!
A Simple Start with a Clear Purpose
In January, two virtual Coaches Huddles launched on Zoom. One group gathered on Tuesday nights, made up of PGA professionals. Another met on Thursday nights, consisting of high school golf coaches.
Over the course of ten weeks, these groups met consistently, walking together through the book of Matthew. Each week, four to six coaches showed up. Not a massive number by most standards, but something deeper was happening beneath the surface.
These were not just meetings. They were spaces for connection, growth, and intentional discipleship.
Mike had been planting the seed for this for over a year, inviting PGA professionals from his network during spring meetings and continuing to build relationships that would eventually lead to participation. Because of the nature of golf, with busy spring and summer seasons and many professionals traveling out of state during the winter, a virtual format made it possible for coaches to engage who otherwise could not.
And engage they did.
More Than a Bible Study
What makes FCA coaches huddles unique is not just the study of Scripture, but the integration of faith and coaching.
Each session intentionally began with 15 to 20 minutes of conversation around coaching. Coaches shared openly about real challenges and real strategies.
- How do you run qualifying?
- How do you handle parents?
- What do you do when a player cheats?
- How do you build relationships that actually shape athletes?
These were not surface-level conversations. They were practical, honest, and deeply relevant. At the same time, there was a deeper layer. Coaches wrestled with how to live out their faith within their programs, especially in environments where they could not be explicitly Christian.
That tension led to meaningful discussion.
- How do you be transformational without being forceful?
- How do you lead with Christ at the center, even when you cannot say His name out loud in your program?
That space, where faith meets real life, is where growth happened.
As Mike shared, coaching created the common ground. Whether it was a PGA professional working with members and junior golfers, or a high school coach leading a team, the shared identity of “coach” opened the door to deeper relationships.
And from that foundation, faith conversations followed naturally.
Impact That Crosses State Lines
What is happening is not confined to Minnesota.
These huddles have already expanded across the Northland FCA region, including Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wisconsin. Coaches like Dean Johs from Mandan, North Dakota have been regular participants, bringing connection and unity across state lines.
This is a glimpse of what is possible when coaches are equipped and encouraged together.
The Bigger Vision: Multiplication
As encouraging as these golf coach huddles have been in this season, the goal is not just to continue, it is to multiply.
Mike Seiffert is already looking to identify and equip new leaders from within these groups to step into leadership and start additional huddles.
This is how ministry grows. Not by adding more programs, but by multiplying leaders.
There is also hope to gather in person this summer to strengthen relationships and prepare the next wave of coaches to lead.
Why This Matters
We do not have enough Coaches Huddles.
If we want to reach athletes, we must reach coaches. Coaches shape culture, influence teams, and impact families. When a coach is transformed, that impact multiplies.
What is happening here is not just encouraging, it is a model for what could happen everywhere.
An Invitation
If you are a golf coach or PGA professional, there is a place for you!
And for all of us, there is a role to play:
- Pray for more coaches to step in.
- Pray for leaders to be raised up.
- Pray for these huddles to grow and multiply.
Because when coaches are equipped in their faith, the impact goes far beyond the game.
