Step Into Growth

In the finale of our On the Bucket series, Coach Craig Lukins closed out his story with wisdom for every coach, athlete, and leader who’s ever wondered what truly lasts beyond the game.At the core of Liberty Christian football are three guiding values:Create leaders. Cultivate men. Capture hearts.“We want to teach servant leadership. If they walk out of here and remember that, it’s all worth it.”From seniors serving freshmen at team meals to coaches leading by example, Craig models the kind of leadership that builds husbands, fathers, and men of integrity.Reflecting on last year’s state championship defeat, Craig’s message stayed rooted in faith and perspective.“Our value is not found in a game. It’s found in the Lord.”For him, even loss becomes a lesson—a reminder that growth often comes through struggle, and that success is measured in character, not championships.Craig’s advice to young coaches is simple but powerful:“Grow where you’re planted.”He reminds others to focus less on chasing titles and more on cherishing the day-to-day—the practices, the relationships, the quiet moments that build lasting impact.Coach Lukins’ story is a picture of what happens when calling meets conviction—when coaching becomes more than a career, and sport becomes a vehicle for transformation.That’s what Inning Intermissions is all about — pausing the game long enough to hear the stories that remind us why sports matter. Every conversation reveals something deeper: confidence built through competition, friendships forged in the grind, and lessons that last far beyond the scoreboard.#stepintogrowthtv #inningintermissions #podcast #motivation #inspiration #hope #life #coach #coaching #highschool #fnl #FridayNightLights #Football #highschool #Jesus #god #Bible 

After starting his head-coaching career with a 12–1 season, Coach Craig Lukins quickly learned that success in football—and in life—isn’t always a straight climb.When Liberty Christian moved from 8-man to 11-man football, the challenge hit hard.“We went 1–9, 3–7, then 8–3 and made the state playoffs as an 11-man team... It started off really high, and then the next year went almost as low as you can get.”Craig admits that early in his career, confidence sometimes outpaced experience.“As a second-year coach, I thought I could do anything... and I definitely did not have it.”Those seasons taught him humility, preparation, and perspective—lessons that continue to shape his leadership today.Craig’s love for football runs deeper than wins and losses.“Football is one of the only areas in public life where young men can get together and impose their will on another group of young men.”To him, the game mirrors life—testing strength, unity, and perseverance.“If one guy fails, the whole team fails. Football allows you to learn all of that as a young man, and then translate it to life after you graduate.”For Craig, coaching isn’t about control—it’s about calling. It’s where competition becomes character and every struggle shapes the soul.That’s what Inning Intermissions is all about — pausing the game long enough to hear the stories that remind us why sports matter. Every conversation reveals something deeper: confidence built through competition, friendships forged in the grind, and lessons that last far beyond the scoreboard.#stepintogrowthtv #inningintermissions #podcast #motivation #inspiration #hope #life #coach #coaching #highschool #fnl #FridayNightLights #Football #highschool #Jesus #god #Bible 

Part 2 – The Finale with Courtney Houston & Kharmelyn GutierrezWe wrapped up our time on the bucket with two incredible Chiawana volleyball seniors — Courtney Houston and Kharmelyn Gutierrez — and this finale brought the perfect mix of competition, laughter, and perspective.From rival gyms to roaring student sections, the girls reflected on the places and moments that shaped them. Courtney loves the atmosphere at Kamiakin — “great court, big crowd, always fun.” Kharmelyn’s pick? Richland. “It’s always a battle, back and forth, and that makes it our favorite matchup.”But the heart of this conversation came when they turned to advice for the next generation of athletes:“Always be coachable — talent only takes you so far.”“Have a good attitude and take criticism the right way — that’s how you grow.”A little baseball trivia closed things out, but the smiles and stories said it all — two seniors who’ve learned that success isn’t just about playing hard, it’s about growing through every rep, every season, and every lesson learned together.That’s what Inning Intermissions is all about — pausing the game long enough to hear the stories that remind us why sports matter. Every conversation reveals something deeper: confidence built through competition, friendships forged in the grind, and lessons that last far beyond the scoreboard.#stepintogrowthtv #inningintermissions #podcast #motivation #inspiration #hope #life #coach #coaching #highschool

Londyn & Brooke wrapped up their Chiawana volleyball story with heart, laughter, and a little baseball trivia. From Kya Foster’s “Gotcha!” moments to the steady leadership of Peyton Cox, they looked back on the teammates and memories that made these four years unforgettable.Their message to the next generation of athletes was simple but powerful:“Never be afraid of anything. Be confident. You’ll get there.”The perfect finale to a two-part series — filled with joy, growth, and the reminder that confidence comes from learning, laughing, and playing together.Inning Intermissions was born from one belief: the real stories don’t happen between the lines — they happen between the innings.#stepintogrowthtv #inningintermissions #fca #fcaglory #podcast #motivation #inspiration #hope #life #coach #coaching #highschool

This week on Inning Intermissions, I sat down with Chiawana Volleyball seniors Londyn Johnson and Brooke Anderson during their youth camp — surrounded by laughter, little kids, and the sound of volleyballs flying.These two brought all the energy, sharing what’s kept them in the game through their senior year.“I love the social part of it — I’ve made so many friends through volleyball.”“I moved here freshman year and didn’t know anyone. Volleyball helped me find my people.”From rival matchups against Kamiakin and Richland to shoutouts for their student section (“It gets loud — and we love it”), Londyn and Brooke prove that volleyball is about way more than just the scoreboard.They even let us in on their post-ace celebration — a team-wide dance that keeps everyone connected, even the ones on the bench.Inning Intermissions — where stories remind us that sports build more than skills… they build community.#stepintogrowthtv #inningintermissions #fca #fcaglory #podcast #motivation #inspiration #hope #life #coach #coaching #highschool

We wrap up our three-part series with Chiawana Head Volleyball Coach, Chanda Baie — and this finale is packed with wisdom for the next generation of female athletes.Coach Baie shares powerful advice on what it means to play, grow, and stay healthy in today’s world:“Take care of your bodies. Train smart. Don’t run yourself dry. And remember — you’re a student first, then an athlete.”From injury prevention to academic accountability, her message is simple: every moment counts.Four years go fast. Don’t miss them chasing what doesn’t last.And before we wrapped, she even took a few swings at a baseball pop quiz — proving she’s just as competitive off the court as on it. Inning Intermissions — celebrating coaches who shape lives far beyond the scoreboard.#stepintogrowthtv #inningintermissions #fca #fcaglory #podcast #motivation #inspiration #hope #life #coach #coaching #highschool

Part 2 of my conversation with Chiawana Head Volleyball Coach, Chanda Baie, dives deep into leadership, parenting, and purpose — on and off the court.Coach Baie shares her heart for shaping players into people, not just athletes:“I’m not making you an athlete that’s gonna go to the next college and play. I’m making you a good person. I want you to be a better person.”She also opens up about being both a coach and a parent, learning when to teach and when to simply cheer.“When I’m in the stands, I’m not coaching you — I’m your mom. I’ll help you in the car, but in the gym, I let the coaches coach.”With 22 years of experience, her wisdom for new coaches is simple and powerful: have a plan, find mentors, hold kids accountable, and never stop learning.Inning Intermissions continues — celebrating leaders who shape lives far beyond the scoreboard.#stepintogrowthtv #inningintermissions #fca #fcaglory #podcast #motivation #inspiration #hope #life #coach #coaching #highschool

Inning Intermissions kicks off a brand-new conversation with Chiawana Head Volleyball Coach, Chanda Baie.A lifelong competitor who’s now shaping the next generation both on and off the court.From her first serve to now finishing year 22 of coaching.We cover her playing days all the way to now where she is running youth clinics and teaching business and leadership at Chiawana.Chanda’s story is all about growth, grit, and giving back. She’s coached through rule changes, life changes, and mindset shifts—but one thing hasn’t changed: her heart for people.

Brian & Ed, Authors of Away GameIf Brian and Ed — the authors of Away Game: A Christian Parents’ Guide to Navigating Youth Sports — could leave you as parents with one thing, HERE IT IS:👉 Check yourself. Ed shared how his own pre-game talks, sideline coaching, and post-game critiques were creating toxic stress for his son. Instead of helping, it was hurting both performance and relationship. Sometimes the most loving thing we can do is stay quiet and just let them play.👉 Free your kids. Brian reminded us that when sports become all about performance-driven identity, we teach our kids an anti-gospel rhythm: I’m only loved when I play well. Parents — your affection must be rooted in who they are as sons and daughters, not their stat line.This episode unpacks the freedom both parents and kids can experience when we release performance pressure and instead ground sports in love, joy, and faith.#StepIntoGrowthTV #InningIntermissions  #authors #parenting #family #YouthSports #life #Podcast  #JesusWon #Faith #Dream  #Growth #Hope #Inspiration #Jesus #Bible #God #Quotes #Motivation 

We’re back with Part 3 of our Away Game conversation with Brian Smith and Ed Uszynski, and today we walk through how the book is structured and why it matters for every Christian parent in youth sports.👉 Ed explains that the opening chapters are all about awareness—helping parents recognize their God-given role in discipling their kids and seeing how the $40 billion youth sports industry is shaping us without us even realizing it.👉 Brian unpacks the middle section: sport culture versus spiritual formation. Left unchecked, sports can form pride, anxiety, and entitlement. But if we parent with a different scoreboard, those same moments can be opportunities to grow love, peace, joy, and self-control.👉 The final chapters land with game-day discipleship and even a theology of play—reminding us that when our kids play, they are reflecting the creativity and delight of God himself.This is Episode 110, and it might be the clearest picture yet of why Away Game is such an important guide for parents.#StepIntoGrowthTV #InningIntermissions  #authors #parenting #family #YouthSports #life #Podcast  #JesusWon #Faith #Dream  #Growth #Hope #Inspiration #Jesus #Bible #God #Quotes #Motivation