I See Wrestlers
Kyle Snyder captured the attention of young hopefuls gathered at MCF Ndalani to learn about the upcoming wrestling program. “When I meet people, I can always recognize the wrestlers. I can see the way they carry themselves, there’s a certain look in their eyes, a presence. And when I look in your eyes, I see wrestlers!” Wide-eyed students from grades kindergarten through high school leaned toward Kyle’s inviting words, each hoping the wrestler within was being seen.
In November of 2024, Kyle Snyder (three-time Olympian and Free Style Wrestling gold medalist in the 2016 games), Jason Nolf (three-time NCAA National Champion, World Medalist, and alternate to the 2024 Olympic wrestling team), and John Bardis (former Olympic alternate and long-time advisor to the United States Olympic Wrestling Team Association, businessman, producer with his wife Judy of the MULLY film and friend of the Mully family) traveled to Kenya to participate in the MCF 35th Anniversary Celebration. Daddy Mully had also invited these three men to announce the upcoming MCF wrestling program. On November 18th, over 100 interested beneficiaries gathered in the Ndalani courtyard to hear just what this wrestling thing was all about.
Over the last three decades, MCF athletic programs have been an integral part of the holistic support and opportunities provided across the MCF campuses. When children become part of the Mully Family, Daddy Mully and Mama Esther and their staff care for each child spiritually, emotionally, mentally and physically. While visiting with Mama Esther during the 35th celebration weekend, she commented that they purpose to discover and foster the gifts and potential of each child. Children are nurtured through the love of God and family, education in the classroom, and the emphasis of prayer, worship and creative expression. In addition, sports have provided opportunities for children to gain skills, strength and confidence. Through the last 35 years, the children have excelled in karate, soccer and acrobatics, competing on the continental and world stage in various events. However, the African continent has been underrepresented in the sport of wrestling, and Kenya has yet to gain prominence on the international stage. Through world-class leadership, training, and facilities, MCF would like to change this narrative.
Stories have chapters, and this new chapter flows from an ongoing relationship between Daddy Mully and his dear friend John Bardis. John Bardis has been a visionary in business and a man of impact in the wrestling community for over forty years. He sees possibilities and potential that others miss, and he brings insight, work ethic and influence to translate vision into reality. Reflecting the genius, creativity and heart of God, John has shaped U.S. national healthcare policy, the international sport of freestyle wrestling, and many lives along the way. When he and Daddy Mully met in 2008, a friendship and mutual respect were forged and these men along with others have collaborated on projects such as the MULLY film. Connecting his leadership in the sport of wrestling with his love for MCF, John reached out to two other men of character in the sport of wrestling and the story continued.
Kyle Snyder and Jason Nolf have more medals and titles between them than one can count. They are champions, husbands, fathers, and men of impact on and off the wrestling mat. However, their most glorious attributes aren’t the medals around their necks, but the humility draping their lives. When John invited them to lead this initiative, they were honored to leverage their strengths and experiences to honor God and elevate others. Kyle shared “Wrestling brought me to Jesus. I was obsessed with my own glory and identity of being a successful athlete. But God used defeat to humble me and show me the most important thing in life is that I am His child. This revelation changed me forever.” In the same spirit, Jason commented “The greatest thing I’ve received from wrestling is Jesus. God helped me choose Penn State to wrestle which is where I met my best friends and my wife who helped lead me to Jesus.”
On that pleasant November Saturday afternoon, tucked between Friday’s anniversary celebration and Sunday’s Thanksgiving celebration, the MCF wrestling conversation that had existed between Daddy Mully, John, Kyle, Jason, and other leaders was now shared with the children. The children listened intently as Kyle and Jason shared their hearts, told parts of their stories, and showed wrestling highlight videos to the curious and earnest audience. Kyle emphasized that this “MCF program’s main purpose is to grow young men and women into the character of Christ through the sport of wrestling,” a sport he sees as “one of God’s great tools to help individuals look within deeply. This will continually challenge us to allow Jesus to refine our character. Regarding athletic achievement, we want our wrestlers to compete at the World and Olympic Games and win Gold medals.” Jason added, “My hope for MCF wrestling is that the kids have fun doing something new. Wrestling is one of the best sports to learn because through it, kids can develop character and humility; they can learn to compete the right way.” After conversations, demonstrations, and logistical discussions, Kyle and Jason handed out t-shirts for all interested beneficiaries, and a plan was set forth to begin training. With joyful smiles and a tangible sense of expectancy, Kyle prayed over the group, dedicating their plans and athletes to the purposes of God. Afterwards, everyone joined in for pictures.
Since that day these inspiring leaders have been working with others to prepare for the official launch of the wrestling program later in 2025. According to Kyle, DOLLMUR sports’ surfaces has committed to donating three mats to the wrestling complex. RUDIS, another athletic company, will be donating wrestling shoes/apparel for the team. Also, Jason and his business, Athletes Ocean, a team of skilled athletes, are excited to deliver free instructional and technique videos to the kids. Kyle and Jason have begun the process of finding the first wrestling coach who will live in Ndalani and train the beginning athletes for the first 6-12 months. From the coaches to the children, excitement is building as the dreams turn to plans and the plans turn the page.
Of all the ways God revealed His heart in scripture, He Himself chose to wrestle. In the dusty plains of the desert, God wrestled with Jacob through the night, and Jacob would not leave without a blessing and did not leave without a new name (Genesis 32). What a profound scene; the God who holds the world together, showing up for the one-to-one intimate exchange. How like God to reveal Himself so personally to the one He loves. How like God, to call forth identity from struggle. The MCF wrestling environment will be such a place, an invitation for young men and women to step onto the mat, discover more of God, and more of themselves. Not far from Jacob’s well, MCF beneficiaries will again lean into Jacob’s God, and these children who have prevailed through many struggles will now have the opportunity to translate their resilience onto a different stage. With MCF’s commitment to excellence, with eager youth ready to learn, and premier coaches poised to lead, the wrestling venture holds great promise for each wrestler, for MCF, for Africa, and all for the glory of God.
This piece was written by our guest blogger, Jennifer Gressett.