More Than a Game: Coaching with Kingdom Purpose
A conversation between Manuel Chireno Jr., guest; and Devaughn Williamson, host.
When Life Doesn’t Go as Planned
Life doesn’t always unfold the way we plan or expect, this is where trusting God’s plan comes in. For Manny, basketball was everything! Through the tests and trials of life along with godly mentorship and continual surrender, he found his Kingdom purpose - coaching. His story is a powerful testament of walking in faith, letting go and trusting God.
From Butcher to Basketball Coach: A True Step of Faith
Man, Manny’s story is wild—but so real. Back in 2021, he was juggling two full-time gigs: being a basketball instructor and working as a butcher at Sam’s Club. People would ask, “When do you sleep?”—and honestly, he barely did. But the deeper truth? He was holding onto Sam’s as a safety net. His mentor eventually showed him that this “crutch” was keeping him from fully stepping into what God had called him to do.
Then came the moment that changed everything. Manny called his manager to go part-time—and instead, got fired. But instead of panicking, the first thing out of his mouth was “Praise God.” Like, that’s how deep his trust in God ran. He knew that God was about to show out. This was the beginning of him truly trusting God’s plan for his life.
Holy Spirit guidance reminded him that provision ultimately comes from God, not a paycheck.
He finally understood that surrendering to God’s will meant letting go of his false safety net and relying completely on God.
Letting Go of Old Deams and Finding God’s Calling
From there, it was a journey. He leaned fully into his business, Flight Time Training, which he had started during the pandemic (talk about faith in uncertain times). But it wasn’t smooth. There were moments when he got distracted, started chasing dreams of playing basketball again, thinking it would “fix everything”—money, family, success. But that dream became a fantasy, even a kind of idol, and it nearly took him out. He lost his car, fell behind on his gym rent, and was at rock bottom. It was a wake-up call.
God used that moment to expose what was really in Manny’s heart. He realized he was chasing results—not God. But instead of staying down, he repented.
He realigned with God’s plan—to coach, not play—and from there, things turned around. He called a few parents, locked in summer training, paid off his debt, and Flight Time was reborn—with God at the center.
Manny says now, coaching brings him real joy and purpose—seeing kids break through limits they didn’t think possible. And it all started when he let go of his own plan and trusted God’s. Through Christian mentorship, he was reminded of truth.
His mentor once asked him, “Are you committed to God or just the results?” That hit him deep. Manny chose God and shifted his focus to faith and entrepreneurship grounded in God’s plan for his life.
Manny's story is such a beautiful example of what happens when you say “yes” to God—even when it doesn’t make sense. At first, basketball was Manny’s identity. It was all about the game. But God flipped that—He showed Manny that basketball wasn’t who he was, it was just a tool. A platform. Once Manny surrendered, Flight Time turned into a ministry, not just a training program. He’s literally seen healings and salvations happen in the gym. Like, real spiritual breakthrough while dribbling and shooting hoops.
Faith in Business: Building Flight Time Training
What’s crazy is Manny doesn’t even follow the normal business route—no marketing, no ads, no flashy promos. Instead, he leaned into faith in business and relationships. He prays, listens to the Holy Spirit, and trusts that God will bring the right people. And guess what? Clients come. Not just for basketball—but because they feel seen, loved, and poured into. He holds his players to a higher standard—not just as athletes, but as people. He corrects them with love, mentors them spiritually, and leads by example. Like, he even changed the way he dresses and carries himself—coaching in a suit—because he wants to model excellence and show these kids there’s more to life than just the game. Manny’s program is proof that faith and entrepreneurship can thrive when rooted in trusting God’s plan.
A Miracle: Walking in Faith Through Healing
Then came a defining moment: he thought he seriously injured his knee. Every symptom screamed “torn ligament.” But instead of panicking (well, after panicking a little), the Holy Spirit reminded him of a word spoken over his life—that he had a covenant of no injury. He stood on that word, built his faith by hearing messages on healing, and walked it out—literally. Within hours, he was pain-free. No surgery. No swelling. Just a testimony of walking in faith and relying on Holy Spirit guidance even during the most trying times.
Through it all, Manny's journey shows that faith works—in business, in pain, in purpose. He’s gone from working at Sam’s Club with no money, to running a fully booked, thriving program rooted in discipleship and excellence. His life now? It's not just about basketball—it's about calling, character, and kingdom impact. His advice? Focus on relationship over results. Love people deeply, obey God fully—even when it’s uncomfortable—and trust that when you give God your whole life, He’ll do more than you ever imagined.
Key Lessons on Surrender and Trust
Surrendering to God’s will brings clarity even when unexpected doors close
:Letting go and trusting God makes room for the new thing that’s so big, only God could author it
Finding God’s calling for your life requires humility and obedience, not chasing the results
Faith in business works when you put Kingdom first
If Manny’s story inspired you, consider sharing it with someone who needs encouragement. And I encourage you to partner with Faith Ignite to help bring more stories of hope to the world. Together, we can spread messages of God's faithfulness to those who need it most.
Devaughn Williamson President, Faith Ignite Inc
