An interview with Wendy Greven, FLBC women’s basketball coach 

The Conqueror women’s basketball theme, “Live on Mission,” comes from Colossians 3:17: “And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.”  

Q: Why did you choose this theme? 

Your life is a mission for Jesus to shine his light. It doesn’t matter if you’re a missionary in Africa or playing basketball here at FLBC; you’re living your life for Jesus now. The strength of his Spirit in you empowers you to live for him.  

When I first started coaching in the late 1990s, I was definitely more focused on basketball than the ministry aspect of the teams. My focus changed after seeing how God has used my family for his mission in all the moving we did as a military family. Inspired by a pastor at our church in Arizona, when I came back to coach again, I wanted to set the team culture around living our lives for Christ. I want the basketball team’s experience together and on the court to mean more than just basketball, and I pray that everyone who plays with us leaves stronger in their faith because of being part of the basketball team.  

Q: How do you incorporate this theme? 

I encourage each one of my players to know that they are loved by God and that all they do is for his glory. As Christians, we live on mission by his Spirit; he is our strength.  

When the women’s team went to Canada this year, the attitude choices of our players weren’t the best; they were focused on the other team and our circumstances. During their game, the girls had to decide to place their focus on Christ and realize that what they were doing was more than just basketball—it was for the glory of Jesus. We can be used to impact others through his power in the Holy Spirit.  

Q: How have you seen this mission take root in the lives of your players? 

I’ve seen this principle play out not only on the court but off the court, as well. It’s a fun blessing to see the young women I coach grow so much in their faith and mature during a season or two. It may be my favorite part of coaching. I’ve seen God work in their lives in amazing ways, and I’ve watched them live out their faith after graduating from FLBC. We become like a family, and sometimes I get to keep in touch with previous players and witness the continual growth after FLBC.  

Q: What do you want your players to take with them from their time as a Conqueror? 

I hope my players realize that God desires our lives to be set apart for him. We are not defined by how well we play basketball, how well we do in school, or how good we are at our jobs. Our identity is in Jesus and what he has done for us. We don’t strive to look great on the outside but lean into God’s Word to reflect Jesus from the inside.  

I also pray for my players that they will put Christ first in their lives, have passion for his Word, and place their identity in him and know they are loved. This is not the world’s way to look at things, but that’s what it means to be set apart. I think people recognize that our team is different. It’s not that we look like great basketball players, but that we love God and each other and encourage one another.  

Interviewed by Janay Helms [FLBC 2023], an administrative and external relations assistant at FLBCS. Greven is a 1992 alumnus.