Athletics' All-Sports Camp offers an unforgettable week of Christ-centered competition

Athletics' All-Sports Camp offers an unforgettable week of Christ-centered competition

Lipscomb student-athletes served as camp coaches and role models throughout the week for local children in the 658 Club.

By Andrea Zahler | 08/21/2026

Each summer Lipscomb Athletics' Spiritual Formation offers student-athletes a unique opportunity to intern with Project 658 Nashville, a nonprofit supporting at-risk families, particularly within the city's international and refugee communities.

The internship includes a retreat, a VBS-style summer school for 658 families, one-on-one tutoring and the chance to assist with the Nashville All-Sports Camp-an unforgettable week of Christ-centered, high-energy competition and community for local children.

Lipscomb student-athletes served as camp coaches and role models throughout the week, using their gifts and love for sports as a way to serve and point campers toward Christ. This year's camp theme was "Get Ready to Live!" based on John 14:5-6 where Jesus says, "I am the way and the truth and the life."

Intentional activities and discussions encouraged campers and coaches alike to realize their worth is not found in how well they play, how fast they run or whether they win or lose. They are created by God, loved by God and invited to follow Jesus-the One who gives real life, purpose and hope.

"Student athletes are dedicated," says Christopher Klotz, senior associate athletic director for spiritual engagement. "They have dedicated their whole lives to their sport. We want to help them realize that their gifting is for more than themselves."

Addison Pelham (BBA '25), assistant director of spiritual formation, served with 658 for three summers during her time as a Lipscomb volleyball student-athlete. She describes the internships as invitations to step out of her comfort zone to "learn what the Lord is doing right here in Nashville-both in my heart and life and in the lives and hearts of refugees in our city."

She points to coaching at the All-Sports Camp as being especially formative during her student-athlete years. "It taught me how to combine my faith with my sport and gave me the opportunity to share that with the next generation. I grew in leadership and boldness while creating lasting friendships with families and children in the Nashville area-and those relationships have made Nashville feel like home."

In her role in Lipscomb Athletics, Pelham gets to invite current student-athletes to participate in the same formative internship. "This summer, I was no longer the athlete, still in school and playing my sport. I got to step back, help lead the team and watch each of the interns come alive in the same way I did three years ago during my first summer as a 658 intern. I can think of nothing more rewarding than seeing them experience the same joy and purpose that it unlocked in me."

Mikey Polizzi, junior cross country and track student-athlete, noted that sometimes our purpose is simply loving the person in front of us the best we can. "We're all just looking for something to hold onto and be seen, and this summer more than ever I saw that the only thing that will satisfy those longings is Christ. Seeing what these refugee families have to go through on a daily basis and experiencing the kindness and hospitality of Project 658 led me towards one simple answer: Christ is our Father who loves us, who wants us, who sees us and hears us, and once we understand that, we are truly alive."

Junior women's soccer student-athlete Tatum Ahlemeyer agreed. "I got to experience deeper glimpses of life and life to the full. God revealed a repeated theme throughout the summer-the reality of living a 'cross-shaped' life. Yes, there was grief and being broken and feeling the weight of it all; but above and beyond, and deeper still, is an eternal weight of glory and joy and hope beyond all comparison!"

"One of the biggest things I learned during 658 and continue to learn is the power of praying to a powerful God," added Noah Kemp, senior men's soccer student-athlete. "I loved how much we prayed. There were many people we met with 658. It was inspiring to see how God was working in every person's life and the deep, intimate relationships he has with every single one of us.One way God's love for each individual was embodied during the internship was through assistant cross country and track coach Mackenzie Barnett (BS '25). "I had the privilege of serving as an intern with Project 658 Nashville three summers ago. My time as an intern profoundly transformed my life."

"Before becoming an intern, I was a Christian committed to following Jesus, but the Lord encountered me in new ways and taught me more about His character through Project 658, inspiring me to live my life fully on mission surrendered to the Lord."

"This summer, I had the opportunity to assess each child and identify the academic skills that needed the most attention. I then paired each intern with a child and provided support and strategies to help the intern work with the child and meet their specific learning needs. Watching the interns faithfully invest in these children was incredibly encouraging."

"I realized that the pages in my journal weren't filled with extraordinary events," reflected junior Neeley Giessinger, "but ordinary moments where God taught me to notice-moments where God revealed His heart and showed me that this summer had nothing to do with how much we were able to accomplish. It was about the God we encountered through it.

"This summer opened my eyes to not only recognize God in the big moments but in the ordinary, unexpected ones. Project 658 did not simply teach me how to serve. It taught me how to see."