Where It All Started
For many years, as a public high school coach, Nelson Cook saw firsthand the impact and negative effect the Supreme Court decision had on students, the athletes he coached and their families. But Nelson also knew that, as a coach, he and other coaches were in a unique position to have tremendous and transformational influence on all kids, but especially those who were showing and experiencing the impact of the many challenges, burdens and pressures of life. Such decisions did not impact only them, but also their families, and Nelson knew he could not ignore his calling.
But there was another layer to Nelson’s mission and vision. While communities rise for children, while there would be no shortage of coaches ready and willing to give of their gifts and talents, who would coach the coaches?
The Reverend Billy Graham once said, “One coach will impact more young people in a year than the average person will in a lifetime.”
In 1997, with the help, guidance and power of God and the Holy Spirit, Nelson started the COIN (Coaches of Influence) Ministry.
The mission of the COIN Ministry is to reach coaches with the Gospel, to encourage them in their faith and to strengthen the commitment of coaches at all levels and all sports.
At its inception, Nelson wrote, “Working with and through the church we will invest in their personal, family and professional lives.”
The essence of the idea and mission of the COIN Ministry is simple: to provide the resources needed to help coaches become a powerful witness to the students, athletes and families they serve about the power of God, the Bible and prayer.