The Ministry of Presence: What It Really Means to Show Up

There's something powerful that happens when you simply show up. I call it the ministry of presence, and it's become the cornerstone of my work with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. It's not about having the perfect agenda or the most polished presentation—it's about making yourself available to be used by God on these campuses. 

I learned this lesson firsthand at a high school a couple of years ago. They had not had FCA on campus in a number of years, and I didn't start with any grand strategy. I just started showing up to football practice. Then, volleyball practice. People would ask, "What are you here for?" and I'd simply tell them about FCA. I kept showing up, day after day, week after week. Today, that school has an active FCA program. 

The Holy Spirit has taught me that ministry of presence isn't about forcing conversations or pushing an agenda. Sometimes, it feels awkward—you're just standing there, trying to find your place. Modern schools can feel like fortresses, with security measures that make them hard to access. But when you commit to being present, remarkable things begin to happen. 

Let me tell you what ministry of presence isn't. It's not about checking boxes on a calendar (though I do keep one). It's not about rushing from one scheduled meeting to the next. It's about being fully present in each moment, ready to be led by the Holy Spirit because you never know what that day might bring. 

Take Sabinal, for example. They weren't even on my regular schedule six months ago. But someone reached out asking how to start FCA, and because I was available, I was able to help them get started. That's what happens when you make yourself available to God's leading—doors open that you never expected. 

One of the most beautiful aspects of this ministry is how it defies planning. Kids will come up to me asking for prayer, often catching me completely off guard. Sometimes I have to laugh when kids call me Pastor because I think, "I'm just the coach!" But that's exactly what ministry of presence is about—being there when someone needs to talk, pray, or just know they're not alone. 

The modern world tells us that everything needs to be scheduled, planned, and optimized. But I've found that some of the most meaningful ministry happens in those unplanned moments—when a student catches you after practice, when a coach needs someone to talk to, or when an opportunity arises that wasn't on any calendar. 

If you are wondering how to practice ministry of presence, here are a few things I've learned: 

 1. Show up consistently, even when nothing seems to be happening 

2. Be patient—relationships and trust take time to build 

3. Stay flexible and open to the Holy Spirit's leading 

4. Don't feel pressured to fill every moment with words or activities 

5. Remember that your presence itself can be a testimony 

In many ways, ministry of presence is a lot like farming. You show up, you prepare the soil, you plant seeds, and then you keep showing up to water and tend those seeds. Some days, it might feel like nothing is happening. But under the surface, God is at work, and in His timing, growth happens. 

The schools I visit today can feel very different from the ones where I coached for 40 years. Security is tighter, schedules are more rigid, and everyone seems busier than ever. But one thing hasn't changed: people still need to know they matter, that someone cares, that they're not alone in their journey. 

That's why I'll keep showing up, keep being present, keep making myself available to be used by God. Because sometimes, the most important ministry we can do is simply being there, ready to listen, ready to care, ready to share God's love with whoever needs it that day. 

Ministry of presence isn't always comfortable. It can feel awkward or inefficient. But I've learned that some of God's best work happens in those moments when we simply show up and make ourselves available to His purposes. After all, isn't that what Jesus did? He showed up in our world, walked among us, and made Himself available to those who needed Him most. 

So tomorrow, I'll wake up, look at my calendar, and head to another campus. I don't always know what the day will bring, but I know this: God can use our presence in powerful ways if we just make ourselves available to Him.