Who is the greatest women’s basketball coach? My pick would be the head coach of the NC State Wolfpack women’s basketball team from 1975-2009. It’s not because Kay Yow won more than 700 games or coached the U.S. women’s basketball team to an Olympic gold medal in 1988. It’s because of her ability and commitment to lead her team spiritually. FCA captured her perspective on leadership through this interview.

“Use the talents and abilities that He’s given you to honor Him. If that’s your motive, I fully know and believe with all my heart that God will guide and direct you and give you the wisdom to have your best chance at excellence. When people think about excellence, a lot of times, they’re thinking about the end result—the production. I think they forget about the process and about the journey. This is where all the learning takes place. People don’t always see the big picture. They see more of the short term. To many people, success is just money or position or power or title. Yet if they haven’t given their very best and they haven’t done it in the way that it should be done—I mean, some people step on people to get what they want—then that’s not excellence. A commitment to value and doing it the right way is just as important to excellence as anything else.”

Excellence by Example

Having chosen the Twelve, Jesus demonstrated the same trust and began modeling excellence as they continued to follow Him in chapter 6. His approach included how the disciples should conduct ministry and clarify expectations before sending them out. Jesus prepared His men by drawing them close and allowing them to experience ministry firsthand at His side. He didn’t just teach them knowledge and methods; He also built a relationship with them. After the Twelve had been with Jesus for a while, He sent them out to do the same miracles He had been performing. This helped them spread the same message with His authority.

The Kingdom Coach and Athlete build trust with their team by being authentic and transparent. They don’t push their teammates to achieve personal goals but aim for excellence in everything they do.

Bible Memory Verse – “There is nothing outside the man which can defile him if it goes into him; but the things which proceed out of the man are what defile the man.” Mark 7:15 (LSB)

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