A Yearly Recap (See pictures)

As I reflect on all that God has done through this ministry, I'm especially grateful for those who have partnered with me through prayer and financial support. Many of you made a two-year commitment to help sustain this work, and your faithfulness has opened doors to minister to players, coaches, and their families in meaningful ways.

My prayer is that you'll continue partnering with me—even beyond your original commitment—so that together we can continue to see God do amazing work through this ministry and in the lives of those we serve.

The Auburn Basketball Ministry extends far beyond the locker room. One of the greatest privileges each year is gathering with the families of our coaches and players for a special worship service. These photos capture meaningful moments as we pray over parents, spouses, children, and loved ones, asking God to strengthen, encourage, and bless them.

Moving into the summer, the grind never stops. This season provides unique opportunities to invest in our program in new ways. I bring former players back to share their stories and encourage our team, create service and outreach opportunities that help our players grow beyond basketball, and spend intentional one-on-one time building relationships with each of our new guys. These moments lay the foundation for the culture and spiritual growth we hope to see throughout the year.

Jaheim Hudson speaking to a group of students on faith and basketball. Even after graduation!

One of my favorite summer traditions is our Call God Zoom. It's a special time when our current NBA players and former Auburn players come together for Bible study, prayer, and meaningful encouragement. It's always inspiring to see these men continue investing in one another, sharing what God is doing in their lives, and reminding each other to stay rooted in their faith wherever basketball takes them

Miles Kelly, Johni Broom, Jaheim Hudson jumped on our Call God Zoom.

Coach Bruce Pearl often says, "Coach them as hard as you love them." That philosophy doesn't end when a player leaves Auburn—it continues long after they're gone. I want every former player to know they are loved, valued, and that I still desire to be a part of their lives.

Whether it's praying with them, connecting through our Call God Zoom, showing up to support them at NBA Summer League, or celebrating milestones like their weddings, I want them to know that Pastor Coach is always in their corner.

Watching disciple Dyl then having dinner with him afterwards alongside the coaches, was worth the trip. So grateful for our guys and praying for their continued success.

Carter Sobera and his new bride.

When a new player arrives on campus, I make it a priority to meet with him right away. Building a trustworthy, genuine relationship with our guys is a vital part of my ministry. Players need to know you care before they care about what you know.

One meaningful moment was spending time with Emeka and my boys. As some of you know, Emeka had a season-ending surgery. I traveled to Philadelphia to be with him, offering support, prayer, and encouragement to him and his family during that time.

Shown below is Bukky Oboye, our new 7'1" center. My boys joked that he looked like a walking tree, but we really enjoyed getting to know him. It was great hearing about his faith background and seeing his excitement to be a part of Auburn.

John 13:14 (NIV): “Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet.”

Part of being an Auburn man is learning to serve others. I facilitated several opportunities for our guys to meet real needs and share the gospel. In some cases, that has meant knocking on doors and asking if we could come in and pray over people.

Please see the photos below.

Boys and Girls Club Opelika

Going door to door sharing the gospel.

This man's daughter emphatically invited us in to pray over her dad.

Emeka and I were invited to speak at several basketball camps in the area. Together, we emphasized the importance of unity, sharing the story of Moses, Aaron, and Hur on the mountain—holding up the staff of God together to secure victory over the Amalekites.

Each year I take players to East Samford Middle school to lead the School's FCA devotion. Drake Caldwell and CJ Williamson were both speakers.

I try not to turn down speaking engagements—so feel free to give me a call or pass my name along.

These pictures highlight The Exceptional Foundation. I had the opportunity to bring KO, Kevin Overton, with me. Even after only being in town a few weeks, KO volunteered to come and take part in an illustration. He has an incredible heart and truly cares about others.

Exceptional Foundation Event

Each year, I have the privilege of taking our guys on a mission trip to Honduras. These trips have deeply impacted their lives and left a lasting mark on their hearts.

This year, our trip to Greece in August overlaps with our usual week in Honduras, but I’m confident God will do amazing work in Greece as well. I look forward to sharing updates with you.

Below are some memorable moments from our time in Honduras.

The night before each trip I ask the guys to write down any kind of sin, hinderance or distraction and pin it to the cross. This is a fantastic way to kick off our trip.

Our morning and evening devotions are some of the best.

Our coaches Bible studies have continued to thrive. Coach Steven Pearl has placed a strong emphasis on maintaining a culture of faith and family within our program.

It’s difficult to capture photos during our Bible studies, so I apologize for the outdated picture. But please know these gatherings are still ongoing and remain an important part of our culture.

Our player Bible studies play a vital role in building connection—helping us get to know one another, share our struggles and challenges, and talk through our goals for the upcoming games.

Below are photos from our first Bible study and one of our final gatherings of the season.

The night before each game we hold a chapel service either in my hotel room or the team room.

One of the ways our guys get to know one another is through something I call Life Maps. A Life Map is essentially an autobiography—the story of your life—focused on five key areas: heritage/history, heroes, high points, hard times, and the hand of God in your life.

Each person also shares their “game winner,” their favorite verse, and why it matters to them. The goal is to open up in meaningful ways and build deeper connection with one another.

At the end of each presentation, after a time for questions, we lay hands on the person and pray over them. This year, our head coach, SP, kicked things off, and we plan to have a different player or coach share each week.

Head Coach Steve Pearl presenting his Life Map.

God has provided a number of opporutnies for me to speak this year. Some of those include...

•Relator Convention

•Exceptional Foundation

•AU Baseball Coaches Bible Studies

•Big Team United

•Dothan Church Sunday Morning Service

•Business School

•Farmhouse Fraternity

•Faulkner Law School- Montgomery

•Union church- Jackson Alabama

•Woodline Pines Elementary PTA for dads- Role of a Father

•Small group/community Leaders

•Small group/Auburn leaders/coaches

•Coaching in community

•Call God Zoom

Athletes in Action Event

Bible Museum/ Newnan, GA

The Alabama Real Estate Broker Event

Pastor Jason Miller invited me to speak at his church in Dothan!

This was one of my favorite speaking engagements of the year—Farmhouse Fraternity with over 200 men in attendance. What a fantastic opportunity to invest in young men who need encouragement and the hope of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

A couple times a year I get invited to speak to the baseball team and staff.

Speaking at the business school!

Speaking at the Woodline Pines Elementary School Dad's breakfast. Over 200 dads showed up!

Preaching at a Team United event with athletes from each sport.

Another unique speaking engagement was at Faulkner Law School in Montgomery. I’m grateful for the opportunity they gave me to speak freely and openly about the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Coaches wives at our home.

Finally, my wife has been using her gifts of kindness and compassion to connect with staff wives and players’ moms. Throughout the year, she has organized several gatherings at our home, creating opportunities for the ladies to come together and build community.

She also schedules one-on-one meetings with coaches’ wives as a way to encourage and minister to them personally. In addition, we’ve had several players over to our home as well.

Coaches wives and player's mom event.

This is what it’s all about for me—standing alongside our coaches and players, ministering to them, praying for them, and loving them well. This is why I do what I do, and why so many of you faithfully support this work.

When I walk into the locker room and see a Bible sitting on one of our players’ chairs, it makes me smile. I know it makes God smile, and I hope it encourages you as well, knowing what He is doing in and through this program.

I want to express my sincere gratitude to everyone who supports this ministry. My prayer is that your commitment continues this season. If life has simply gotten busy and you intended to renew your support, I hope this serves as a gentle reminder. Please see my donate page at jeremynapier.com or click the link below.

Thank you for believing in me, this ministry and for investing in lives that are being transformed both on and off the basketball court.

WAR EAGLE!!