In this episode, Rob sits down with Luke Jones, Partnership Liaison for Reclaim Today—a division of Our Daily Bread Ministries focused on engaging Millennials and Gen Z. Drawing from his pastoral background and work with universities, Luke offers rich insight into what Gen Z is facing: information overload, skepticism toward authority, and a deep craving for authenticity and congruency.
They explore how coaches and leaders can engage Gen Z athletes more meaningfully, focusing on concepts like reverse Coaching, the role of competence, and the power of honest apology. Luke introduces the idea of “the ministry of presence” and emphasizes that helping young people connect with God in ordinary moments might be the key to both spiritual and identity formation.
Key Topics Covered:
Why authenticity and congruency matter deeply to Gen Z
Navigating the information overload: competence vs. laziness
Reverse coaching: mutual learning between athletes and coaches
Why Gen Z may be skeptical of authority—but still deeply hungry for mentorship
Coaching moments that build (or break) trust and character
Identity and sport: why coaches must help athletes discompartmentalize
The challenge of mobilizing Gen Z from awareness to action
How presence, silence, and vulnerability build Relationships
Notable Quotes:
“Authenticity is huge. To miss that is to miss the heart of the student and the heart of the athlete.”
“We’ve been trained in the arts of filtering. So we recognize filters easily.”
“The life of a disciple is a planned, intentional life. And coaching can mirror that.”
“Don’t get mad at Gen Z. Get busy with them.” —Tim Elmore (via Luke)
Resources Mentioned:
Reclaim Today: reclaimtoday.org
Books: Emotionally Healthy Spirituality, Renovation of the Heart, The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry, Celebration of Discipline
Connect with Luke: [email protected]
Reach out via reclaimtoday.org
The Impactful Coaching Project (ICP) seeks to develop coaches that coach the whole person. ICP is the thought leader in coaching the 21st century athlete and produces training, information, and research to help coaches develop. For more information, check out https://impactfulcoachingproject.substack.com/ or contact us at [email protected].
