Biographical sketch of Roger Lipe:

Roger Lipe has served as the Southern Illinois Representative for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes in the state's 19 southernmost counties since 1994. In addition to this role, he is the Campus Director for Saluki FCA at Southern Illinois University in Carbondale. http://salukifca.org/

Lipe is also the Midwest Region International Coordinator for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. The Midwest Region includes the states of Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska, Kansas, and Missouri. The Midwest Region is aligned with the global region of Eurasia for development of ministries in sport among that region's 15 nations. http://www.fca.org/international/globalregions/eurasia

Roger has served as chaplain to several of the athletic teams at Southern Illinois University since 1994. www.siusalukis.com He has also served as chaplain to the Southern Illinois Miners of the Frontier League since 2012. http://www.southernillinoisminers.com/

Roger was born and raised in Carbondale and currently resides there with his wife, Sharon. Roger was a high school athlete at Carbondale Community High School, competing in football, wrestling, and track and field. He was also a high school wrestling official for 13 years. 

Roger committed his life to Christ at 10 years of age and was greatly influenced by the Jesus Movement of the early 70s as well as by attending F.C.A. camps in his high school years. He is an active member of Lakeland Baptist Church in Carbondale. http://www.lakelandchurch.org

Roger has been profoundly impacted by the short-term mission trips of No Greater Love Ministries since the early 1980s. Fred Bishop, No Greater Love’s founder, continues to be a valued mentor and friend. http://www.nogreaterlove.org/

Roger is the author of eleven books for athletes and coaches. The latest is titled, Whistles and Wedding Rings, Devotions for Coaches and Spouses.

Lipe's most widely read book is titled, Heart of a Champion – Devotions for the People of Sport. That book has been translated into Spanish under the title, Corazon de un Campeon.

He is also the author of Transforming Lives in Sport – A Guide for Sport Chaplains and Sport Mentors. This training guide has been translated into Spanish under the title, Transformando Las Vidas en Deportes and it is being used in many parts of Latin America in the training of sports chaplains. 

Free to Compete – Reflections on Sport from a Christian Perspective was published in 2013. It is a compilation of the weekly reflections he has emailed to hundreds of sport chaplains and character coaches around the globe since 2007. 

The Competitor's Book of Prayer was released in December of 2015. It is a book full of model prayers for a myriad of situations in one's life in sport. All of these books are available through Cross Training Publishing at www.crosstrainingpublishing.com. 

Roger worked with several colleagues from around the world to develop www.globalsportschaplaincy.org. This global network has enabled him to make dozens of international trips to over twenty nations on five continents to facilitate ministry in sport since November of 2000.

Roger has been married to his wife, Sharon, since 1975. They have a son, a daughter-in-law, and two granddaughters.

"I lead, encourage and inspire sportspeople as they pursue the fulfillment of God's purposes for their lives."

"I believe lives are transformed as people experience the Lord Jesus' presence and pleasure in Sport."