SFCC athletes gather for a weekly student-led Bible study.
Unofficially started by a small group of SFCC baseball players, the study group was formed in early Fall 2024 out of shared interest and desire to further their connection with God.
Joseph Thornton, an original founder of the group, is a freshman at SFCC from Tonasket. He has been an avid baseball player his entire life, but this year it’s his faith on the field which he attributes to a lot of the team’s success.
“Being able to freely incorporate our faith into the game is probably the biggest thing about our team,” Thornton said. “We have Bible studies every Tuesday. We’ve always talked about having a Bible study and this year we started holding it at my apartment and it kind of grew and grew from there.”
Typically held indoors at a members apartment, this time the unofficial Bible study was held outside along the Spokane River, a short walk off the SFCC campus. Thornton was baptized in the river after the study.
The group gathers on logs around an old fire pit. Each member produces a Bible and various notepads. It’s just off the river and the weather is clear. A slight breeze keeps the heat down.
Drew Stevens is another team player who has brought his faith to the game. He is from Spokane and talks about the importance of the family-like bond he has with his teammates. He attributes a lot of it to their shared faith.
“If you have community, if you have friendship, what can’t you do?” Stevens said. “I think community and discipleship, which is what we’re doing right now. Coming together in the name of Jesus and bringing light to a world that’s so dirty.”
He said that while their faith is what they’ve bonded together over and study, all are welcome regardless of religious affiliation.
“There’ve been plenty of people that have just come out and listened because they’re interested,” Stevens said. “We’re here with open arms welcoming you through whatever you’re going through. We want to be a community that people can just come to with whatever they have and just lay it down.”
Brooks Pinski is from Manson and is studying Fire Science at Spokane Community College and plans on pursuing firefighting. He’s also on the baseball team.
“At our Bible studies we want to invite more people instead of making it feel like it’s a chore for them,” Pinski said. “The reason why I got into Fire Service was because I feel like it’s the best way I can serve in a way that I’m serving God and others.”
Elijah Magyar is another player and current sophomore on the team.
“The main goal is to spread the Gospel to as many believers and disciples as you can,” Magyar said. “(Especially) in the athletic community because in college it’s kind of a time where people tend to stray the most far away from God. It’s more of the partying, the alcohol, the drug stage for people our age, unfortunately. So it was just a good thing we could have. It started with the baseball team and now we’ve got soccer and track.”
He talked further about the power these studies have had on himself and his teammates.
“I’ve seen a lot of growth,” Magyar said. “Overall I’ve seen an increase in accountability. The word does say to hold your brothers and sisters accountable. When you claim Jesus you have that responsibility and you’re held to a higher standard.”
For any further questions on the story, contact Alexander Cover at sfcc.alexander.cover@gmail.com.
For any questions regarding joining the Bible study, contact Joe Thornton at (509) 846-4219.
