OVP authors

Dr. Byler has been a pioneer in sport management and ministry while working in leadership roles at CSRM, Lancaster Bible College, the National Christian Collegiate Athletic Association and Joni and Friends.  Dr. Byler has more than 30 years of teaching and many years of coaching experience at the high school and college level.  Dr. Byler previously served as the Director of Operations, Education and Training Coordinator for CSRM and her sport management experience has also spanned 25 years of coaching and athletic directing at the high school and collegiate level...

Dr. Linville is considered one of the world’s leaders of Sports Ministry; a Sports Outreach Ministry Pioneer and Visionary; a leading Theologian and Apologist for Sports & Recreation Ministry; and a tireless Advocate for Local Church Sports Outreach...

Dr. Jimmy Smith teaches several topics in the sport and physical education department including, marketing, organizational behavior, and sport facility management. His research has been published in some of the top sport management journals including the Journal of Sport Management. His research interests cover organizational change within sport organizations. Recent research interests in sports outreach have led to him publishing "Sports Ministry that Wins: How to initiate, build, and manage a sports ministry program."

Steve Connor (1961) is an author, speaker, leadership coach, and former NFL football player. He played as a free agent for the Chicago Bears in 1984 and the L.A. Rams in 1985. He is the founder of Sports Outreach International. He devotes his time to developing youth leadership and fraternity through the avenues of sports and competition across the globe.

After 30 years as a school teacher, Bryan Mason became the National Coordinator of Church Sports Ministry with Christians in Sport (CIS) of the U.K. and a member of the Archbishops’ College of Evangelists. Following this, he was appointed as the European Director for CSRM. From his years in sports ministry and physical education, he developed the church resource HIGHER SPORTS which included Higher Rugby, Higher Football, and Higher Games. He now serves as an Emeritus Director for CSRM and is very active within his local church in Worcester, England...

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P.F. Myers is CSRM’s International Director and is a highly respected leader in the international sports outreach movement. He has been involved in sports outreach ministry for nearly three decades and lived or ministered in more than 80 countries. His manuals and video training series have been used the world over and have been translated into different languages. In his role with CSRM, he currently oversees six international staff and nearly two dozen Global Network Partners. His deep passion for equipping the local church to move from sports activity to sports ministry has inspired leaders around the world.