I met Roger at the Global Congress for Faith and Sport at Baylor in August of 2025. It was immediately apparent that this servant of Jesus Christ was “all in”. He had spent the better part of his adult life in sport ministry, particularly university sport ministry, and God was using him in powerful ways. Roger graciously spent an hour with me answering every question I had about chaplain work. He cares deeply, loves unconditionally, is full of wisdom gleaned from decades of selfless service, and I do not know of a better person to be mentored by in this area of God’s Kingdom.

For the past twenty years, Roger has been my mentor and friend. When I was an 18-year-old college freshman, he invested in me during some of my most formative years with wisdom, presence, and zero agenda beyond genuinely serving and caring for my soul. His servant-hearted leadership has profoundly shaped me as a husband, father, and coach. I am forever grateful for his faithful obedience and steadfast friendship.

Roger Lipe is an incredible man of God, whose depth of character is matched only by his expertise in Sports Ministry. For years, I have been the beneficiary of his mentorship while serving as a college football chaplain. He and I met consistently, where he imparted wisdom as we navigated the unique challenges and celebrated the successes of the role. The sports ministry world can often feel isolated, which is why Roger’s steadfast support felt like a consistent anchor in my ministry. During seasons of unexpected and uncharted adversity, he was my first call. Without fail, he prioritized my needs and provided invaluable guidance. I am deeply grateful for his unwavering encouragement and profound investment, but my greater honor is calling him a friend.

I have known Roger Lipe for over a decade through his contribution as a global sports chaplaincy thought leader, trainer, and mentor. His approach to caring for the people of sport has been a major influence on the continuing success of sports chaplaincy ministry in Australia and its growth internationally. He remains one of the great international practitioners of sports chaplaincy and character coaching, and his personal contribution to my ministry as both a peer and a friend continues to shape my journey in this crucial context.

I have found Roger Lipe to be an expert in sports culture, chaplaincy, and character coaching. He connects well with people of sport. He is a high-level thinker who writes and creates relevant, valuable, and insightful development and training modules. You will find Roger to be a difference-maker in your organization.

I have known Roger Lipe for nearly 30 years. I first met him when he served as the FCA chaplain for the Southern Illinois University Salukis. During his time there, he faithfully mentored and developed athletes and coaches, helping them pursue excellence in every area of life with a strong emphasis on spiritual growth.

Roger consistently gives his best. He has been a trusted leader and an invaluable support to coaches not only at SIU but across the country. I was one of those coaches, and I have seen firsthand how he continues to positively influence a young collegiate head football coach today.

If you are seeking someone to come alongside you, your staff, your athletes, or your entire program, Roger is a rare find. His extensive background in mentoring, life coaching, sports chaplaincy, coaches' ministry, sports camps, and team culture development equips him to make a meaningful and lasting impact. He will be a true blessing to your program.

It is my pleasure to wholeheartedly recommend Roger Lipe as a mentor, coach, and trainer to sports ministry leaders both in the United States and around the world. Roger’s influence on my own development in sports chaplaincy and character coaching has been profound, practical, and deeply transformative.

In his service with me, Roger consistently demonstrated exceptional wisdom, humility, and a genuine love for coaches and athletes. He helped me elevate my approach to sports chaplaincy, showing me the importance of availability, presence, and unconditional care for those we serve. His guidance taught me not just what to do, but how to be—how to shepherd a team with consistency, compassion, and a servant-hearted posture.

Through his valuable writings, training resources, and personal coaching, Roger has helped me better understand the natural ebb and flow of every sports season. He equipped me to recognize the unique rhythms, pressures, and opportunities that each moment presents, allowing me to serve as a true asset and advocate for teams and coaching staffs. His insights into team culture, relational ministry, and spiritual leadership have shaped every aspect of my work.

Roger is one of the most dedicated individuals I have ever known when it comes to helping coaches and athletes grow in their faith journey—both on and off the court. His experience is deep, his character is solid, and his passion for advancing sports ministry is unmatched.

If sports chaplaincy, coaches ministry, team culture development, or athlete discipleship has been of value in your context, I encourage you to consider how Roger can serve, strengthen, and support your efforts. You will not find a more faithful mentor, a more reliable guide, or a more committed partner in ministry. I am blessed to call him my friend.

For more than three decades, Roger Lipe has been one of the most respected voices in the world of sports ministry. Serving coaches, athletes, and programs across the United States, Roger has invested his life in helping those in sports understand their identity, purpose, and influence through the lens of their faith. I have personally known Roger for four years with Nations of Coaches, and you will not find a better mentor and leader in sports ministry. He represents all that is good in faith and athletics, and I love that one of his passions is serving others at this point in his ministry.

I have been on staff with FCA for 15 years as an area representative and chaplain for the Drake University football team. Along the way, Roger has been a mentor to me and has had a huge impact on how I do ministry and serve Drake as a chaplain. He has been a source of wisdom when I have questions, from what's the best way to navigate coaching changes, how to prepare and present chapels, how best to build relationships with my coaches and players, and how to be a servant leader and emulate Jesus while serving the coach and players.

Roger has also led character coach training for our Iowa staff and provided resources and materials for us to use, which we have passed on to Character Coaches in our schools.

I am excited for Roger in the next phase of his life and can't wait to see how God uses him to impact the next generation as a mentor and coach.

Roger has been influential not only in my interest in and pursuit of a career as a sports chaplain/character coach but also in deepening my understanding of Christ’s love for me.

Roger has equipped me with a wealth of knowledge and tools to lead those in the community of sport. Whether through his sixteen published books, impactful daily devotionals, or his contribution as a guest on a variety of podcasts, Roger exemplifies what it means to be a servant leader in caring for the people of sport.

When the Lord places a calling on your life and asks you to be obedient in that pursuit, instead of finding excuses not to, use the words from Roger himself and declare, “It’s On!”

I am honored to recommend Roger Lipe as an exceptional mentor and guide for anyone serving in this field.

Roger’s experience and dedication to sports ministry are truly second to none. Few people understand both the heartbeat of a coach and the rhythms of ministry the way Roger does. He has spent decades investing in coaches and athletes, and he possesses a unique ability to discern what leaders in sports truly need to grow in their faith, their character, and their calling.

What sets Roger apart is his simplicity and clarity. He keeps his approach gospel-centric, grounded in Scripture, and focused on relationships. There is no fluff, no noise—just steady, faithful investment in people. He knows how to encourage a coach, speak into the real places where competition and character meet, and help leaders pursue Christ in the midst of a demanding profession.

I am personally blessed to count Roger as both a friend and a mentor, and I cannot emphasize enough how much of a blessing it is to call on him for wisdom, clarity, and encouragement.

Any ministry leader, coach, or organization that has the opportunity to work with Roger will be better because of it. I recommend him without hesitation and with great joy.

I wanted to take some time to sincerely thank you for the way you have mentored, supported, and invested in me during my time serving as a character coach for SIU men’s and women’s basketball. Being able to learn from you has been a privilege, and I am truly grateful for the trust you placed in me. I would not be where I am today without your help and guidance.

Your guidance has meant far more than simply learning how to fulfill a role. Through your example, I’ve learned what it looks like to lead with integrity, consistency, and humility while genuinely caring for student-athletes as people first. Watching how you balance standards with compassion has challenged me to grow, not only as a character coach but as a leader and person. I was able to watch you serve, and that taught me how to serve like Jesus.

I’m especially thankful for the encouragement and honest conversations along the way. You never hesitated to challenge me when it mattered, and you always did so with the goal of helping me become better. Those moments have shaped how I approach teaching character, accountability, and purpose — both on and off the court.

Thank you for believing in me, for your steady leadership, and for the example you set every day. I will always value what I’ve learned from you and appreciate the role you played in my growth. Thank you for being there for me when I need you.
Lastly, thank you for the opportunity to serve where God has called.

With sincere gratitude,

Roger Lipe is the gold standard in sports ministry. His decades in ministry serve as a testament to championing faith in the world of competition, personal and professional integrity and the ability to communicate effectively with coaches and athletes. I recommend him without reservation.