FROM COURT TO CALLING
— COURTENEY BARNES STORY —
FROM COURT TO CALLING
— COURTENEY BARNES STORY —
If I look back on my life, it has been centered around sports for most of it. I grew up with three older brothers, two of whom were heavily involved in sports. Some of my most vivid childhood memories are of tagging along to baseball, basketball, and football games. You would find me playing on the playground, climbing trees, or sitting among my brothers and their teammates.
Eventually, it was my turn to enter the world of sports. I think I was about five when I played in my first co-ed basketball league. Around the same time, I also started tumbling classes, little league tee-ball, and soccer. Sports had entered my life, and at that moment, I had no idea the journey they would take me on or the impact they would have on me.
If I look back on my life, it has been centered around sports for most of it. I grew up with three older brothers, two of whom were heavily involved in sports. Some of my most vivid childhood memories are of tagging along to baseball, basketball, and football games. You would find me playing on the playground, climbing trees, or sitting among my brothers and their teammates.
Eventually, it was my turn to enter the world of sports. I think I was about five when I played in my first co-ed basketball league. Around the same time, I also started tumbling classes, little league tee-ball, and soccer. Sports had entered my life, and at that moment, I had no idea the journey they would take me on or the impact they would have on me.
As my childhood went on, my involvement in sports deepened, as did my brothers’. Looking back, our family’s focus revolved around the sports we played. Our dinner times, weekend schedules, and everything in between depended on the sports season we were in. As I got older, I had to choose between volleyball and basketball if I wanted to pursue one in college. After my sophomore year of high school, I decided to focus on basketball. From that moment on, I was training physically to become a college basketball player. It was always at the forefront of my mind — my sole motivation was to play college basketball and earn a scholarship.
As my childhood went on, my involvement in sports deepened, as did my brothers’. Looking back, our family’s focus revolved around the sports we played. Our dinner times, weekend schedules, and everything in between depended on the sports season we were in. As I got older, I had to choose between volleyball and basketball if I wanted to pursue one in college. After my sophomore year of high school, I decided to focus on basketball. From that moment on, I was training physically to become a college basketball player. It was always at the forefront of my mind — my sole motivation was to play college basketball and earn a scholarship.
However, my desires were not in line with what the Lord had planned for me. As I was considering colleges, I narrowed it down to two Division II universities. I went on official visits and knew I had to choose between the two. Little did I know that within one week, both coaches would call to inform me that my scholarship offers had been revoked. It was devastating. I had placed my identity in securing a full-ride basketball scholarship—and I had failed. It felt like I needed to start over from scratch.
“I had placed my identity in securing a full-ride basketball scholarship — and I had failed.”
“I had placed my identity
in securing a full-ride
basketball scholarship
— and I had failed.”
To make a long story short, a friend suggested I check out Hope College because of its beautiful campus, strong education program, and impressive gym and sports programs. I thought, “What do I have to lose?” and reached out to the coach to set up a visit. If you asked my dad about that visit, he would tell you he knew from the moment we arrived that Hope was where I would go to college. Spoiler: He was right. But it wasn’t the easy road I had expected.
Upon arriving at Hope College, we started basketball conditioning and open gyms, and I felt great. I was confident I would make the varsity team and possibly even get playing time. Fast forward to the post-tryout meeting with the coaches. I walked in, and the atmosphere was tense. I was told I needed more growth before I could earn a spot on the varsity team. It was another devastating moment—perhaps even worse than the first.
I thought, “I didn’t choose Hope because it was only two hours from home. I didn’t choose Hope because it was a small Christian school with opportunities to grow in my faith. I didn’t choose Hope for its excellent education program. I chose Hope solely because of basketball.”
To make a long story short, a friend suggested I check out Hope College because of its beautiful campus, strong education program, and impressive gym and sports programs. I thought, “What do I have to lose?” and reached out to the coach to set up a visit. If you asked my dad about that visit, he would tell you he knew from the moment we arrived that Hope was where I would go to college. Spoiler: He was right. But it wasn’t the easy road I had expected.
Upon arriving at Hope College, we started basketball conditioning and open gyms, and I felt great. I was confident I would make the varsity team and possibly even get playing time. Fast forward to the post-tryout meeting with the coaches. I walked in, and the atmosphere was tense. I was told I needed more growth before I could earn a spot on the varsity team. It was another devastating moment—perhaps even worse than the first.
I thought, “I didn’t choose Hope because it was only two hours from home. I didn’t choose Hope because it was a small Christian school with opportunities to grow in my faith. I didn’t choose Hope for its excellent education program. I chose Hope solely because of basketball.”
Those thoughts were real. My dreams felt like they had been snatched away. My identity was lost. I didn’t know who I was without that varsity roster spot. The Lord was working, but I had no idea.
That first year was HARD. I didn’t know how to navigate it. I felt awkward around my friends who were on the varsity team. I isolated myself. I fell into things of the world, and I thought I was happy with that.
At the end of the season, there was another meeting with the coaches. This time, I was given a glimmer of hope, and I clung to it. I went home that summer and, once again, poured everything I had into training. I dedicated so much of my time to getting in the gym for training and conditioning.
When I returned to Hope, my coaches and teammates noticed my dedication. There was a fire inside of me. But where did that fire come from? What fuels us to play sports? What is it about succeeding in sports that brings us so much fulfillment? Would this fire inside me for sport be enough to sustain me?
As the season went on, I didn’t get as much playing time as I wanted, which only fueled my fire more. I was still putting my entire identity into basketball, and I believed I would only feel fulfilled once the game filled some void inside me. I had not yet reached that point.
Then, an opportunity arose. My teammate, Mallory Gerber, and I traveled to Choma, Zambia, on a sports ministry trip. I had ZERO expectations other than getting to visit a new country for little cost with one of my best friends. But the Lord had other plans. He planted a seed in my heart that started to grow. I met Jesus in Choma, Zambia. It’s hard to put into words, but I experienced Him in a way I never had before. Something changed in my heart in 2019 that transformed the trajectory of my life in the most beautiful way. This is where Jesus fully enters my story.
Something changed in my heart in 2019 that transformed the trajectory of my life in the most beautiful way.
Returning from that transformational experience was not easy. The seed planted in my heart never left, and I found myself with a newfound love for a place so far from home. I knew my experience had changed me, but I didn’t yet realize how deeply. Now, I had to navigate how to do college life again and not forget about this life-changing experience I just had 8,000 miles away.
After this experience, people began to notice that something in me had changed. The Lord placed an opportunity in front of me—one I never expected and never imagined I’d be chosen for. I was asked to serve alongside one other person as the female representative for our student athletic chaplain team. The offer completely took me by surprise. I was being invited into a leadership role that combined both sports and my faith.
At first, I thought, “There has to be someone more qualified than me.” But after spending some time in prayer and talking with one of my assistant coaches, I realized this was something I would truly love to step into.
In this role, I had the opportunity to help lead athlete chapels, invite guest speakers to share with our teams, and learn directly from the Athletic Chaplain at Hope. It was an experience I’m deeply grateful I said yes to. Looking back now, I see just how much purpose there was in that position—and how much it shaped who I am today and what I am doing.
Basketball continued. We had an incredible season, going undefeated and hosting the National Tournament. Then, in 2020, the world shut down. One moment, we were preparing for our next game, and the next, we were called into the locker room, where our coaches stood with devastated expressions. Just like that, our undefeated season, our shot at a National Championship, and the greatest season I had ever experienced were gone. The all-too-familiar feeling of devastation returned.
Sent home with nothing but time, I fell into darkness. Basketball, community, and friends were gone, and I was isolated once again. But somehow, the Lord met me there. He reminded me of the seed He had planted in 2019. I began exploring the Bible, developing quiet time with Him, and inviting Him into my daily life. He pulled me out of the darkness and showed me that fulfillment could be found in Him—even without basketball. I really did not know that this was what was happening until I had to look back and dive deeper into my story, my journey with sports and with Jesus, and how it got connected.
When basketball returned, my perspective had shifted. I understood the game was temporary. It could be taken away at any moment, just as it had before. This time, basketball was a passion, but it was not my identity. I was now on a lifelong journey with Jesus.
After finishing my college career in 2021, I returned to Zambia for six weeks, in the same place as 2019. This time, I was participating in an Intensive Training Program. The seed planted in 2019 blossomed. My heart awakened to who Jesus truly was, and I realized my identity was in Him. I went back to America for about a year, knowing that eventually, I would be back in Zambia for an extended time. I was teaching grades 6 through 8 and coaching basketball. I was now waiting on the Lord’s timing to come and pass.
In March 2022, I heard the Lord say, “GO.” By June, I was in Zambia, exploring whether this was where He was calling me to plant my life. It didn’t take long for that to be confirmed.
The Lord’s timing is perfect. Looking back, I see His faithfulness in it all. In January 2023, I joined staff at Poetice right as the sports ministry and our new school were taking shape. Now, my journey with the Lord in Choma, Zambia, was truly beginning.
Today, I run a Rec Park where sport, faith, and life intersect. It’s incredible to see how our sports ministry has grown — from simple games inside our base to a thriving Rec Park where nearly 1,000 unique individuals have walked through our gates in just one year.
I often wonder: “What draws people here for the first time? Why do they keep coming back?”
This Rec Park is special. There’s something about it — something that keeps people returning. The Lord is at work here, and I’m beyond grateful to be a part of it. His faithfulness is undeniable, and this place is a testimony to that. It’s hard to put into words, but there’s an energy in the air and out on the fields and courts. Something is stirring in the people’s hearts as they step through the gate, pick up a ball, and start playing with friends.
There’s a hunger for more in this Rec Park. And I can’t wait to see all the Lord will do with it.
Courteney Barnes is the Rec Park Director at Poetice, where she leads with passion at the intersection of sport, faith, and community. She is a former college basketball player now using sport as a tool to disciple and empower the next generation.
