Campbellsville—The sports ministry class at Campbellsville University is uniting students of various ethnic backgrounds through ministry and sports.

Ted Taylor, professor of Christian studies and director of the Character, Leadership and Stewardship Institute, is lead professor of the sports ministry program at the school. He said the sports ministry class is comprised of a diverse group of men and women representing different cultures and callings.

“Sports ministry breaks down barriers,” Taylor noted. “The course ... is representative of what the university is doing to bridge gaps between the many diverse groups of people in our world.

“With Campbellsville University’s emphasis on diversity and racial reconciliation, I discovered that our class represented the changing face of CU,” he added. “Our African-American students shared in class what it means to be a black student on our campus. An international student shared about her experiences being an international student on our campus. The focus of our class was unity amidst our diversity.”

The class’s most recent roster was composed of two African-American students, one Brazilian, four Kentuckians and a student from Michigan. Four of the students are also athletes on campus.

Shaquana Ditto, a junior student-athlete at Campbellsville, said she found the class to be an eye-opening experience.

“I realized that we all are not from the same background,” she noted. “Some people only see black and white while others don’t even see color. Campbellsville University has opened up my eyes about different nationalities. It isn’t just about black and white; there are other nationalities that feel separated.”

Ditto also said she found the sports ministry class to be especially uplifting. “The sports ministry area is just a blessing. ... There is common ground and to be able to share the gospel with anyone is just amazing.”

“We find that sports are a leveler for the things that separate us and that’s one of the reasons we are so proud of the sports ministry program at CU,” Taylor explained.

Recently, the class led a sports ministry activity for a kindergarten class at the Campbellsville Christian Church Center for Education. Students divided the students into four teams for relay races. Each team competed for prizes based on the verse from 1 Corinthians 9:24: “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.”

The children were encouraged to “run for Jesus” and were taught hand motions to accompany the biblical concepts. According to Taylor, the class grew closer and more unified while working to share the gospel with others and motivate each other.

“As a faculty member of Campbellsville University for 14 years, I am excited about the changing face of” the school, he said. “The dialogue on race that occurred in my class brought us closer to racial reconciliation. Our diversity enables us to expand our Christian influence. Our unity in Christ empowered our class to respect our diversity.”

Campbellsville’s sports ministry program also includes courses in coaching theory, psychology and sociology of sport, as well as principles of Christian coaching in addition to its theology and traditional courses.