TULARE, Calif. — A 30-year-old youth minister has turned pugilism into relational evangelism. According to the Christian Times Today, youth minister James Kindell of the Bethel Assembly of God uses boxing to befriend "tough street kids" at a gym and lead them to salvation in Christ.

"Most pastors aren't able to reach these people," Kindell said. "It's a way of meeting some guys you won't find in church. It's part of my ministry."

Boxing is also part of his life. He started in the sport at age 10, won a silver medal in the U.S. Junior Olympics at age 15, ranked seventh nationally in his weight division at age 20, and last year returned to the ring after seven years off to win a Golden Gloves title in Tacoma as well as a regional tournament and advancement to the nationals. He hopes to qualify for the U.S. Olympic Trials this year.

"I encouraged him to get back into boxing," said Dennis Sunderland, senior pastor at Bethel Assembly. "It's a great contact with a segment of our community that doesn't come to church."

Kindell trains nearly every morning before heading to church and in the ring on Tuesday nights. "Young guys come up to me and ask, ‘You're a pastor?'" Kindell said. "They see I'm not cussing. They see I'm different."

Not only is Kindell different as a fighter, he is a different sort of minister, too. "The only question people have is they think boxing is brutal," Sunderland said.

Kindell also thought boxing and Christianity were incompatible at first. He burned his boxing shoes after becoming a Christian ten years ago. Now, he sees sport and spirituality complement one another.

"If I didn't have fruit from this, I'd quit," he said. "I've been able to pray with people to receive Christ."