Away Game - by Brian Smith & Ed Uszynski (Paperback)

About the Book

This winning book transforms the competitive sports field into a discipleship opportunity, equipping parents to help their young athletes become not just better players but Christ-like followers of God.

Book Synopsis

Transform the competitive sports field into a discipleship opportunity. Away Game provides youth athlete encouragement and sports ministry opportunities on and off the playing field.

If we don't own the process of discipling our kids as they play sports, sports culture will do it for us. But as parents, we can get so consumed with our young athletes' physical development that we miss the opportunities athletics provide to help them grow spiritually. Away Game challenges us to be more than spectators on the sidelines of our kids' spiritual lives.

• A CHRISTIAN PARENT'S GUIDE TO YOUTH SPORTS - Away Game helps parents turn everyday sports moments into opportunities for discipleship, character development, and deeper faith as young athletes grow both on and off the field.
• BUILD FAITH & CHARACTER THROUGH SPORTS - Learn how to use competition, teamwork, and challenges as tools for teaching biblical values like humility, perseverance, self-control, leadership, and integrity.
• PRACTICAL HELP FOR NAVIGATING SPORTS CULTURE - This encouraging guide equips parents to handle pressure, post-game emotions, toxic competitiveness, and the demands of modern youth sports with wisdom and grace.
• STRENGTHEN YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH YOUR CHILD ATHLETE - Discover meaningful ways to support your child through sports conversations, emotional highs and lows, and spiritual growth while building stronger family connection.
• ENCOURAGEMENT FOR CHRISTIAN SPORTS PARENTS & COACHES - Perfect for families, coaches, and ministry leaders looking to raise confident athletes with strong faith, healthy identity, and Christ-centered priorities.

Away Game empowers you to embrace the role of spiritual mentor throughout your child's athletic journey as you recognize--in the margins of every practice or game--winning opportunities for spiritual growth.

About the Author

As two dads who've seen both the challenges and beauty of youth sports, Brian and Ed offer relatable wisdom to help parents guide their children spiritually in every season.

Brian Smith is the author of several books, including The Christian Athlete, and has been on staff with Athletes in Action since 2008. A graduate of Wake Forest University, Brian has a master's degree in Theology and Sports Studies through Baylor University. Brian lives in Lowell, Michigan, with his wife and three kids and writes regularly at the christianathlete.com.

Ed Uszynski is an author, speaker, and sports minister with over three decades' experience discipling college and professional athletes. He's written articles, essays, and training manuals at the intersection of faith and sport and is the lead strategist for Content Mercenaries. He has two theological degrees from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School and a PhD in American Culture Studies from Bowling Green State University. He and his wife Amy have four children and live in Xenia, Ohio.