“Why do you coach soccer?”

“It’s worship for me!”

That is the foundation for Coach Joel Zielke’s coaching at Timothy Christian. 

The idea of work as worship has a long history in the Christian tradition, tracing its roots to the monastic movement. God created us to work and gives us the gifts and talents to perform our work. When we approach work as a gift from God, it is an offering that is meant to glorify and honor God! 

That philosophy is in keeping with the verse that gives the framework for Timothy Christian athletics: “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord…” Colossians 3:23

Coach Zielke is an Elmhurst native who attended Immanuel Lutheran School before attending Walther Lutheran High School where his father was principal. He then went to Concordia University in River Forest.  At Concordia he was a four year All-Conference soccer player and three year Captain, as well as an assistant coach for two years following his graduation.

Coach Zielke met his wife Trixy, who teaches art at Timothy Christian High School, at Concordia. They both taught at Concordia International School, a mission school in Shanghai, China, for seven years. Their two oldest children Kylee and Paxton (both current students at Timothy) were born in Shanghai and their youngest, Lukas was born after they returned to the United States.

When Trixy became a full-time teacher at Timothy, Coach Zielke decided to change careers to spend more time actively caring for his children. He became a Realtor, which allows for a more flexible schedule and allows he and Trixy to balance parenting duties.

Coach Zielke has an extensive background coaching soccer. Following his stint as an Assistant Coach at Concordia, he coached at the International School in China and upon returning to the U.S., he taught and coached at Grace Lutheran School in River Forest. He was an Assistant Coach at Timothy for three years before becoming the Head Coach in 2018.

Coach Zielke’s coaching philosophy is based on 3 guiding principles: 

1. Coaching is a tool for ministry.

Ministry can take many forms. Coaching provides unique entrées into the lives of players. A coach is someone who can help them improve their skills, but also can invest in their lives during the critical high school developmental years. Coaches become trusted mentors for not only the sport, but for life. 

2. Building a team culture centered on Christ.

Team sports require trust and selflessness. Team chemistry is a coveted commodity. Coaches build that culture into their teams with an intentional focus. 

3. Offering God excellence in soccer. 

God deserves our best! God has blessed players with talents and abilities that must be developed and utilized. Improving our physical talents is as important as any other talent or skill.

Players and their parents have seen those principles play out in the program. The team has regular times for devotions. They pray together and Coach Zielke prays for his players and with his players individually. He maintains relationships with players who have graduated from the program encouraging them and offering advice. Developing these types of relationships, centered on faith in Christ, is a unique reward of coaching at Timothy.

Certainly, winning records, statistical achievements and championships are rewarding. But “coaching as worship” results in the joy of watching players develop their skills and abilities, having a team “click” in a game after working together at practice, or having a player share a personal struggle with the coach because he sees the coach as a trusted mentor.

Those are the things that bring true satisfaction to Coach Joel Zielke!