Jim Stump has been involved in sports ministry for the past 5+ decades after graduating from Wheaton College (Illinois) in 1966. He began his career as the European Director of Athletes in Action, setting up their program with the European Olympic Committees for two years. Upon his return to America, he was invited by two Stanford football players to come to Palo Alto to help their teammates and them grow their faith. As a direct result, he became the campus director of Campus Crusade for Christ (Cru) at Stanford University, and served in that capacity from 1970 – 1974, when he left Cru/AIA to focus his attention on the one-on-one mentoring of athletes by founding Sports Challenge. He served in the role of spiritual life coach under 13 consecutive head coaches and six athletic directors, and he also spent time as the chaplain to the San Francisco 49ers and the San Francisco Giants. Jim is often asked to speak to a variety of audiences including college and professional sports teams, churches, business professionals, Christian colleges and high schools, seminaries, and retreats.
After 45 years of meeting with 30 – 35 men each week one-on-one on an ongoing basis, mentoring them through those crucial years, Jim moved Sports Challenge to the Dallas, Texas area in January of 2015 to be closer to his children and grandchildren. There, Jim is continuing his exciting, transformational ministry on the campus of Southern Methodist University (SMU) where he is mentoring coaches and athletes. Jim is also giving his time to see the unique Sports Challenge model expanded to key college campuses around the United States.
Sports Challenge is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded and led by Jim Stump that offers a relational mentoring program for student-athletes. We are dedicating our lives to developing these athletes into future leaders by assisting them with beginning and growing a personal relationship with Jesus and applying His principles in their lives. Our Mission is to encourage, educate, and equip student-athletes to be devoted followers of Jesus and to realize their full spiritual potential.
Jim has recently taken his unique one-on-one relational mentoring model that proved so transformational at Stanford to the campus of SMU.
As the success of the Sports Challenge mentoring model has gained notoriety for it’s positive impact on athletes and coaches alike, interest has arisen to expand this model to other key college campuses around the United States.
Your investment in the ministry of Sports Challenge will assist us in mentoring the next generation of our nation’s influencers and leaders. As a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, charitable giving to Sports Challenge is tax-deductible and we will provide receipts for donations. Thank you for your generosity.
With engaging personal stories and examples from the life of Jesus, Jim Stump shows you how to develop rich mentoring relationships with the people in your life, providing simple steps toward sharing faith and life with those you care about. Inspirational, encouraging, and practical, The Power of One-on-One will increase your impact on God's kingdom in surprisingly simple ways.
Sports Challenge is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded and led by Jim Stump that offers a relational mentoring program for student-athletes.