Something Spiritual Sports
Focusing people on Christ through the testimony of Christian athletes and coaches. Support this podcast
Something Spiritual Sports
Mentoring and Spiritual Growth with John Jarman
John Jarman shares his transformative journey from coaching to faith, reflecting on how life’s challenges became opportunities for growth. Through mentorship, personal experiences, and community engagement in sports, he inspires listeners to foster resilience and faith in their daily lives.
• John’s coaching journey and personal growth
• The impact of the Marine Corps on his life
• His turning point and surrender to Christ
• Insights into writing and sharing personal testimonies
• The importance of mentorship and guidance in faith
• Engaging youth through FCA and its community impact
• Discovering how faith intertwines with sports and coaching
• John’s encouraging message to aspiring authors and leaders
All right. So today I'm with John Jarman and this is a little bit of his testimony. So what did you like most about being a football coach?
Speaker 2:You know, just for me, the game planning and, you know, the Friday night and you know, having the ability to, you know, see what the opponent's doing and adjust on the fly to that, that was the part of it that really got to me. Um, you know, and they're just, you know, watching the kids improve over time. Um, you know, from the beginning of the season to the end of the season, uh, you know, I, I took over a few losing programs and were able to turn them around, so that that challenge of seeing the growth not only in the kids but in the programs were, you know, the two of the biggest things that I enjoyed the most out of coaching.
Speaker 1:Nice, and who did you coach for? Who did you coach for who? Who did you uh? What school did you coach for?
Speaker 2:I coached for a number of schools. I started my career out in California when I was still in the Marine Corps, um, and then, uh, did a coaching stint at Athens high school in Athens, ohio, um, as I worked on my undergrad degree, then got on as a grad assistant at Ohio university, uh, when I was working on my master's, and then I moved to North Carolina and I moved to Georgia, then I moved back to Washington. So you know I bounced. You know I don't want to say I bounced around, but I moved around quite a bit to different schools and you know it was just a, it was a blessing in all of the schools to be able to move to there and then help them out and help them rebuild their programs.
Speaker 1:Nice. So you were a Marine, right, yeah, what did you like about that?
Speaker 2:Again. I went in the Marines initially just to get out of the situation I grew up in and get some money so I could go to school to become a coach. And you know just the camaraderie of the brotherhood of the Marines. I mean, we still, the people I served with in 29 Palms for three years, we still stay in contact. You know, and it's just you know the saying that once a Marine, always a Marine, is true, because you know, once you have that fellowship it never goes away. Um, and you know they're, they're kind of like an extended brotherhood of your family.
Speaker 2:So Nice Boot camp was not the funnest time, but you know it was what it is so yeah, my uh, my uncle was a Navy SEAL.
Speaker 1:Oh okay, yeah, my uncle was a Navy SEAL, oh okay, so he definitely did some crazy interesting things.
Speaker 2:Yeah, I mean boot camp physically wasn't. I had harder times on my high school practice field. Physically Boot camp is a mental game because they're trying to see who's going to crack under pressure and who's going to step up and lead. And you know, I mean they are trying to get you ready to go to combat. So you know what she and I went in is at 23. So I was a little older, so once I caught on to that it was easier to handle the you know, the everyday I don't want to say torture, but the everyday events of boot camp.
Speaker 1:It was easier to handle once you figured out that Gotcha. So what ultimately brought you to Christ?
Speaker 2:What was the breaking point? You know it was 2016. I was going through. You know, I'd been growing in faith up to then. I'd been working with a spiritual mentor here in Washington and I was going through a tough time. I owned a personal training business. It was struggling. I'd lost my mom, my dad, two older brothers, my little brother's wife was dying, and you know just everything started to crumble in. And you know, I got up one morning in my prayer time and that's when I totally gave up control and told him that you know it's in his hands. And that's when, you know, my life changed for the better because I held on to that control. And you know, once I let that go, you know I started seeing the world differently. I started seeing scripture differently and everything changed at that point nice, um, and what?
Speaker 1:what has been the biggest difference like in your life since? Like coming back to christ, like what's the biggest difference?
Speaker 2:well, I'd have to say the book. Yeah, because if, if, if, you'd have told me, you know, four years ago that I would have written a book and and be on shows like yours, you know, talking about my testimony, I would have laughed at you. Um, you know it's. It's the book was. It was spiritual driven. Um, you know, the story behind the book is.
Speaker 2:I started to write it in 2014 when my counselor told me I should write a book. Uh, I got five chapters into the book and I didn't really know where to take the book, so the zip drive basically sat on the shelf until, um, let's see, the book's been out since three years now. So since 2020, august of we're just over three years now. So since 2020, august of we're just over three years. Um and so, um, I was in my morning prayer reading time and, um, I came across hebrews 1036, which says when you're doing the will of god, you must persevere to get what you rewarded.
Speaker 2:And an hour later, I was doing some cardio and I read in a aj sobota's Sobota's very first book it's called messy and he was talking about the will of God and he said that no one told him if anybody would read his book or buy his book. He just had to write it. When I those two things, that went okay. I got to finish my book, and so I made a commitment to write every day for two hours, um, and the book was done in four weeks, um, so it was just a spiritual dog, and so, you know, that's the biggest change in my life is is the release of that book and, you know, just having the ability to share my testimony and touch lives of people, um, so that would have to be the biggest.
Speaker 1:What would you say to people who might want to write a book? Like me, I'd like to write a book I want to do like a Christian coaches and athletes book, you know. So, like I don't know. Like, do you have anything you would like to say to like, maybe inspire people to be like hey, you know, like, this is possible, you can do it like. Hey, you know, like this is possible.
Speaker 2:You can do it. Well, I think anything's possible if you put your mind to it. I mean, if you have anything that you want to do, first and foremost, and then it's just setting aside the time to do it. You know, for for those that are, you know, interested in writing a book, it's, you know you got to have the outline first. You know you got to outline what you want the chapters to be and then have an idea of what you want to put in those chapters by outlining the chapter a little bit, and then you know if it's a spiritual book. You know, pray before you write and then, just, you know, let the Lord lead it and go from there.
Speaker 2:It's not an easy task. You know, I started my book in 2014,. Didn't finish it till three years ago, but then, luckily, I was talking with my spiritual mentors. I was finishing it and I asked if he knew an editor, because I have dyslexia. So I needed somebody to edit the book to make sure that the type you know, there wasn't typos and stuff like that in there. And he had a former colleague of prayer ministry that that was now doing editing, and I got a hold of arlen and we went through the book and turned out she's a scout for morgan james publishing um. And then they picked me up and that that whole process between finding arlen and getting signed by the publisher was about eight months. And you know that wouldn't have happened, you know, without the you know intervention and in the hand of god and everything so nice, um.
Speaker 1:So throughout your time as a coach and marine, which verse in the bible is your life verse that you go to when times get tough?
Speaker 2:well, I, I I'd have to say this because, you know, during that time I wasn't as deep in office as I was, you know. So I don't really think I had a favorite verse. You know, I kind of I say this in the book I had when I coached up here one of my coaches was a minister and he played in the NFL and um, in his sermons he would call what I was and I and I laugh about this now is the submarine Christian. They go to church on Sunday and then they go underwater the rest of the week, um, and so that's kind of where I was, um, you know, I, I knew who Christ was and I went to church, but I didn't study the word, I didn't. You know, I didn't have that real, true vertical connection and the relationship that I have now.
Speaker 2:So back then I probably didn't have a verse, but the verse that I have now is Exodus 2020. It's actually tattooed on my right forearm and it it basically says do not be afraid. God has come to test you so that the fear of God will be in you to to keep you from sinning. And that, to me, it's my favorite verse because of the address it's 2020, and clear vision is 2020. And so to me, that's God's clear vision that he wants us to understand that it is going to be a test, but he's doing it for a reason, so that you have reverent fear of him to hopefully keep you in in obedience, and that's what that verse means to me.
Speaker 2:And then there's a few other verses there's 17 other verses in the bible that have that address, and 10 of those 17 have instructions on how we're to live and act as christians, and so that little series was what inspired me and and that's, you know, that's my favorite verse. And you know, I made it through the marine corps without getting and and that's, you know, that's my favorite verse. And I made it through the Marine Corps without getting a tattoo, and that was the first tattoo I got about six, about four and a half years ago.
Speaker 1:So Nice, yeah, I actually. My favorite verse is Romans 8, 28, where God works all things together for good to those who love him and are called according to his purpose. And it's my favorite verse because it's just kind of a reassurance for good to those who love him and are called according to his purpose. And it's my favorite verse because it's just kind of a reassurance that, even if things don't go my way, I know that God has a better plan, and yeah so.
Speaker 2:Well, sometimes I think, when you think you have a plan and it turns and it doesn't go the direction you want, I think that's it. Think you have a plan and it turns and it doesn't go the direction you want, I think that's it's either for you know, because you shouldn't be going down that path, or that you know the Lord has a different path for you. So you know you just got to let go and let him take control and, and you know, not worry about it and just ride it out. But you have to have that. You know, for me, the daily connection with prayer and reading is a must in order for those things to take place. So, and then you have to have a vertical connection.
Speaker 2:I know you work with FCA. You know that that vertical connection here on Earth is important too, because we have to have that fellowship with other people you have. You need mentors, you know, and I always tell people when I do these shows is, you know, if you don't have a mentor, find somebody who's farther along in your walk and in their walk than you are and, and you know, ask them to mentor you, because you're going to have questions about scripture, You're going to have questions about certain things and you and you need that fellowship and leadership.
Speaker 1:So yeah, and I've, I've had mentors in my life and they've definitely like influenced me and yeah, that's another question. So who do you who's? Do you have a mentor that you look up to and is it? What's that relationship like? Do you have like a good relationship with someone where you'd like to have like a mentor?
Speaker 2:Well, my spiritual mentor is Scotty Kessler and Scotty used to be a football coach and you know he started a men's disciple ministry when he was in, when he was coaching here at PLU, and so he's my spiritual mentor and we still stay in contact and you know that's a great he. Even though he lives in Florida, we still stay in touch with each other. Um, you know, as far as my coaching, I would have to say coach grobe and the staff that was at Ohio university is probably the biggest influence that had on my coaching career. Um, coach grobe, and then, uh, coach Troy Calhoun, who's now the head coach at the air force academy those, those two individuals probably had the biggest impact on my coaching career.
Speaker 1:Okay Academy. Those, those two individuals probably had the biggest impact on my coaching career. So, okay, and how do you?
Speaker 2:use your platform as a fitness coach to bring glory to God. You know it's, it's. It's just a, you know I, I like to when I, when I work, it's more of a. You know, if somebody has questions, that I'll talk to them about it. I don't push it on anybody. Um, you know I I'd rather have them come and say hey, you know I have this question, because then then I understand that there's there's a spark and there's an interest, and so it's easier to speak to them about uh, christ and and that type of stuff.
Speaker 2:You know, I don't like to push it. It's kind of easy now, with Exodus 2020 tattooed on my forearm, because when I shake hands with people, people see that and they're like what is it? And it opens the door for that gospel presentation, or you know, to start talking about the gospel, and so, you know, I didn't put it there for that reason, but that's what it kind of came out to be. So you know it's. I didn't put it there for that reason, um, but that's what it kind of came out to be. So you know it's, it's pretty cool when you, you know, you don't even know people and you shake hands and they're like hey, what is that? And then you can discuss it and talk to them about it and, you know, open up that window of opportunities for lack of better terms.
Speaker 1:Yeah, I know, for me, like't know, I guess I just yeah, I like I'll, I like to like pray for people. So, like I'll say hey, do you need prayer for anything? Or you know, um, like for homeless people, I give them food and then maybe give them a Bible track or something like that. Or obviously with FCA you're sharing the gospel and you're doing it in schools. But you know, I just yeah, I guess I don't know, well, I don't know, I don't know if it's like 's, I guess I, yeah, I don't know well, I don't know. Shut, I don't, I don't know if it's like talking to people, like I don't like, like you said, I don't like force it right.
Speaker 2:Well, like so in the fitness industry, when you're doing personal training, you you get to know your clients on a pretty personal level, um, because you spend a lot of time with them, and so you start to understand who their family is and what their family makeup is, and so it gives you that opportunity to to say, hey, you know how's things going, you know, do you need anything, do you need it, do you need prayer? You know. Once they understand who I am and and where I'm coming from, um, you know, obviously that opens the door for for a ton of things, um, and so you know the book. A lot of the people that where I work and around where I work know about the book. So it's it's they know and understand where I'm coming from, uh, and so it makes it a little easier to you know to assist them if they need it, or you know to speak to them. And and about the gospel, yeah, yeah, it's definitely important.
Speaker 1:Um, and there's honestly like there's no better feeling than sharing the gospel and getting a response and having kids especially when kids come to christ like that's like that's literally like probably the best feeling, like there's really nothing that compares to that right so well.
Speaker 2:I mean, it's uh. I'll tell you a little story about when the book came out. About a year after it released, um, there was a there's a young lady who reached out, to reached out to me through facebook and she had been a few years behind me in high school and she saw the book. So she got the book and she read it and she direct messaged me and told me that had she not found the book at that time in her life, she was going to commit suicide. And the book brought her back to Christ. And you know, that to me, is okay. I don't even need to sell another book because I saved somebody's life and brought them back to Christ. You know, and so I understand that feeling that you're talking about.
Speaker 2:Um, you know, when I was coaching, like I said, I really didn't have, uh, there wasn't until my last few years of coaching that I that I really started, you know, applying principles of of Christ to coaching, cause, you know, it just wasn't there. You know, I I got exposed to Christ through the Marine Corps and FCA, um, but it took a while for me to, you know, start applying those into my daily life. That you know there's. You know, I don't want to say it's a regret, but it'd be interesting to see what my coaching would be like now compared to when, you know, because I've given up total control. Uh, and it you know. It'd be interesting to see, you know, the difference of the impact that I would have. You know, but I consider what I do as a job coaching because I'm working with individuals with their fitness goals, are still coaching, you know so um, but yeah, um, talk a little bit more about your experience with FCA.
Speaker 1:Like, what did you like, what, what, what in? What influence did it have on you and what did it do for your life, like, as far as like, did that help, that help you come to christ, or was that after?
Speaker 2:no, it was before. Um, like I, it helped develop my, it helped develop a stronger sense of faith. But, like I said earlier, you know I held on to control because you know, when I grew up, I was 12 years old, my dad left so I basically had to, you know, fend for myself since I was 12 years old, because you know it was my mom and my three brothers after my dad had left, and so you know it was a tough upbringing. And so you know that aspect of you know, taking control of my life then and then going to the Marines and then being a football coach, those are a lot of things that you have to have control in, and so I didn't want to give up the control and so, even though I started to grow in faith, that holding onto that control had a block to total freedom.
Speaker 2:But FCA was a big impact on that because when I moved to Georgia, that's when I really got involved in the FCA huddles, because we had one at the school. When I moved back up here, we actually started an FCA huddle at the school and the school district balked it for a while and the kids had to go in and do a presentation as to. You know why it was legal? You know, because they were balking us and said it couldn't happen. They didn't want us to happen on campus. And then, you know, we had FCA the FCA backing us and they were. You know, they were going to provide legal counsel if we needed to go that route and everything. So it was.
Speaker 2:It was an interesting time to watch that take place and the kids did a phenomenal job in their presentations and stuff. Because, as you know, you know that the teachers can't lead any part of the cuddles. The kid has to be kid-led. And so, you know, it was pretty cool to watch the kids do that and grow in that aspect. And I even had a student on the team that was. He was Muslim and he said can I come? And I said, well, you need to go talk to your parents, you know, because it's a Christian thing, and so he ended up actually attending. But he would, he would sit at, you know, off to the side and go through his religious routines as we were doing our stuff, and so that was kind of, you know, cool to see that growth and cause. He just wanted to be a part of it, you know. So.
Speaker 1:Yeah, it's a really cool uh organization because, because it literally like it goes to the athlete. Yeah, you know, it's like it's, it's for it's, even though, like these kids, they might like we do a lot of public schools so, like some of these kids, you know, they don't get the gospel right. They don't get, they don't go to church, they don't, they don't see what what it's like to be a Christian, right and they're, they're and they and I, but honestly, so like I work at Coconut Creek High School and these kids are so hungry for God, like they're just like answering questions and they're and they and they're just like they want to know about Jesus and it's like it's a really cool thing, you know.
Speaker 2:I can't imagine being in high schools nowadays with all the stuff that's going on in this world. Oh yeah, and to have FCA be able to be on campus is a miracle and it's super good for the kids. And the more you could get involved in that program, I think, the better it'd be for for the entire youth population, because the the world's such a crazy place right now with all the transgender and gender affirmation and all that stuff, and the kids have so many questions and you know we need them to get seeking the truth rather than all this other stuff.
Speaker 1:So yeah, and and I think like at that age, um, I feel like at that age kids are more receptive, maybe.
Speaker 2:Yeah.
Speaker 1:Cause, like once you get older, um, it's kind of like once you get older, um, it's kind of like once you get older, you kind of you either don't, you, either are a believer or you're just you're, you're hardened. You know, Like, I feel like at a certain point I mean you can still come back, obviously, Like I, like I, my personal testimony, I read away from God, I came back to Christianity, but I feel like if you get them when they're younger for Christ, it's, it's easy, it, it works out better. You know, like they they come, like, um, I'm going to try to say they just it's, it's something that, um, that you want to reach the youth. You want to reach the youth when they're, when they're at a younger age. You know.
Speaker 2:Right. Well, I mean it's. Jesus said bring me the children. So that's kind of what FCA is doing. But you know, the thing too is, you know, if I were to speak to an FCA group, the biggest thing I would say is you know, keep the faith in Christ and don't place faith in the people that are on the pulpit speaking, because the people on the pulpit are just as sinful as us and they can fall just as easy as you and I can. And so, if they, if, if and when they do, you know you can't let that affect your faith, because your faith should not be placed in the people on the pulpit, it should be your faith in the Bible and in Jesus Christ.
Speaker 2:And you know, I've had, you know, and I say that because of my pastor here in Seattle. He fell, and so you know it's, and we, I talk about it in the book. And when I was, when Scotty was reading the book, to go over the book before it was released, he asked me you know, john, are you sure you want to put this in here? And I said yeah, because at the time those teachings were valid and they helped me grow. But you know, my faith's not in that person. My faith is in Christ and even though that person fell, you know, all we can do now is pray for him that he repents and he comes back. Um, you know, and, and so that's, that's a message that I would give to any FCA huddle is, you know, make sure your faith is grounded in Christ and not the people that are teaching you the word, because they could fall just as simply as anybody else.
Speaker 1:Yeah, and I had that happen to me too. I don't know if you're familiar with Pastor Bob Coy. He was the pastor of Calvary, fort Lauderdale, and he also fell into. You know, fell and you know, yeah, so, like that, really, I put my faith in a man rather than God, and man let me down and yeah, yeah, so so it, uh, it's uh, yeah, it's. It's hard Cause, like you know, it's not cause the church wasn't built on that person, the church was built on Jesus, right, and if we put our faith in those people, they're always going to let us down.
Speaker 2:Well, and that's why it's said. You know, the saying that I love the most is hate the sin, but love the sinner.
Speaker 2:You know, we're taught to love our neighbor as ourself. The sinner, you know we're. We're taught to love. Love our neighbor as as ourself. And and the thing is, is, our neighbor is going to be, you know, one of those people that you know. Eventually you're hopefully not, but you know they're going to fall at one time or another and and we don't pass judgment on them we pray for them and and we help them. You know, come back, if that's what they're looking to do and repent, and, and you know it's, it's like, I'd say, anybody.
Speaker 2:You know, if you fall, it's it's. The choice is yours whether you want to repent, um, you know, and, and so you know that's that's what we have to do as Christians is is, you know, we're not to judge, we're not to, you know, pass judgment. We're just supposed to love and and you know, showing that love and that time of need when they fall, that's probably going to be more valuable to that person than you know, whatever you've done in the past. So, because you're standing by them, even though they've they've fallen, you're, you're saying, hey, it's okay, you know we're going to be here, we're going to help you through it and we're going to pray for you, and so I think that's more important than anything.
Speaker 1:So yeah, um, important than anything. So yeah, um, yeah, so, um, um. So how do you believe sports and faith coincide and how do they relate, and maybe tell me what it is about sports and faith that you find so interesting, you know?
Speaker 2:Well, the biggest thing I'd have to say is one you have to have dedication to your sport, where you have to have dedication to your faith as well.
Speaker 2:You know you have to have a daily practice.
Speaker 2:You know sports it's your workout, it's your time on the practice field, where your relationship with Christ it's prayer and daily Bible reading so that you can understand that relationship.
Speaker 2:And then you know, if you look at the faith side of it, you know, especially in football and team sports, you have to have faith that your teammate next to you is going to do what they're supposed to do to help you succeed. And Um and understand, just like we were talking about, he might not do it all the time, he might make a mistake and we're not going to get mad at him, we're just going to hey, you know, let's pick it up and you know, keep on going, um. And so you know that's the biggest thing. Comparison, I think, with sports and and and Christianity and your walk with crisis is you have to have discipline, you have to have faith in others. Um is you have to have discipline, you have to have faith in others, but, again, your ultimate faith needs to be in Christ and you have to come together with that same goal, and that's how I would combine the two and point to their similarities.
Speaker 1:Yeah, and that's another beautiful thing about FCA is a combined sports and faith.
Speaker 2:Yeah.
Speaker 1:You know how does it help. Do you do, do?
Speaker 2:you still do a weekly huddle, or do you do more than one, or do you just do once a month?
Speaker 1:Um so, so basically okay. Um, so right now I have I have the huddle with um coconut creek high school. That's my main huddle, but then I also um help with other huddles. So, like my, I have a good friend, mark.
Speaker 2:I go to his huddles, I do, I take pictures, I what I was asking is theuddles are they still just once a week or do you do more? Oh sorry, when I was, when I was with it, we did one a week.
Speaker 1:So oh, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. So yeah, the the coconut Creek high is once a week on a. It's like Thursday, thursday, and it's like we go to the school, we bring pizza, we do the Bible, we pray, we do the Bible study. Yeah, so yours is in the evening, then what's that?
Speaker 2:Yours is in the evening.
Speaker 1:No, it's actually. It's actually afternoon, oh okay.
Speaker 2:See the way I still, like we always did, we're in the morning, so oh, you See the way I stylized where it was did were in the morning.
Speaker 1:So, oh, you did in the morning.
Speaker 2:Yeah, yeah, we'd have breakfast and we'd start off that way and had, you know, typically have a speaker come in or something like that and go from there.
Speaker 1:so Nice, all right.
Speaker 2:I was just curious as to if FCHM's budged at all, because I haven't been involved in it since 2005, so it's been a while yeah yeah, it's a good ministry. Oh no, it's awesome. It's super ingrained in the high schools and colleges down south. It's very there's not too many huddles up here in Washington. Oh no, because you know this is. You know, washington and Oregon are probably two of the least church states in the country. So it's a battle up here.
Speaker 1:It's liberal right.
Speaker 2:Yeah, yeah. So it's tough. It's tough even getting huddles into schools. So what there is, there is a presence and you know it's a song but it, but you know it needs to grow and it's that's a tough thing.
Speaker 1:So Awesome, well, um, it was't know.
Speaker 2:If you want to have anything else you'd like to say, or Well, like I said, I was kind of in this with you know if, if you're, you know, if you're find a mentor. You know, that's the biggest thing I could say is you know to your young listeners uh, you know, find somebody who's who's more advanced in their walk and latch onto them so that they can help you walk through it and answer the questions that you're going to have, cause I had a bunch of that. So you know there's going to be questions. You need help with it and you know, use all the resources you have. And then, you know, keep your faith in the right area uh, aimed in Christ rather than man. And and uh, you know, just stay strong and have a daily discipline where you read and pray every day.
Speaker 1:So, nice, all right. Well, thank you, john. Thank you, I appreciate it. I enjoyed this interview and, yeah, so have a great day and God bless.
Speaker 2:God bless you. Keep up the good work.
Speaker 1:All right, thank you.
Speaker 2:Well, we're just going to keep recording.
