In February, we hosted PAO’s 40^th Annual conference for NFL players, team chaplains and leaders.  I (Norm) was at the very first conference in 1971, and Bobbe and I have been part of the 39 NFL conferences since then, all designed to build God's word into the lives of  pros.  In 1974,  we added conferences for major and minor league baseball players.  In 1984, after 14 years in the NFL, I was asked to take over the leadership of PAO, and Bobbe and I have worked as a team to lead this unique ministry for more than twenty-five years. 

In 1998, having become increasingly aware of the important role of high school and college coaches in the lives of countless thousands of young people who will never play professional sports, we increased the scope of our ministry by adding Coaches Time Out. In 2009,  we hosted 6 conferences across the country.  Coaches were challenged to be deliberate and intentional in maximizing their unique platforms in the world of sports to impact fans, kids, parents and communities for Jesus Christ.

Recently, we checked our PAO records and, with pro and coaches conferences combined, we have led a total of 198 conferences!  It has been an incredible ride!!  Our personal walks with Christ, our marriage, our parenting,  the opportunities we have had to teach and to share our faith with others - every aspect of our lives - even the way we have managed our finances, has been impacted by the ministry of PAO.  We have been blessed, and we are deeply grateful.

For the past 18 months, Bobbe and I have been praying, preparing and planning for the process of handing over the primary leadership of PAO to new and younger hands that will take this work to the next level.  In December, our Board of Directors unanimously approved the hiring of Steve Stenstrom to lead PAO.  He is a man who loves and follows Jesus Christ.

To you, Steve, we offer from our hearts, these words from the book  of Hebrews that has been our comfort, refuge and strength:  "Therefore, since you will be surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and run with perseverance the race marked out for you.  Fix your eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of your faith, who, for the joy set before Him, endured the cross; overcoming its shame, and eventually sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.  Consider Him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart."   Heb 12:1 NIV

And now, Steve,  with Lori by your side, may the light of God, the power of the Holy Spirit and the example of our Lord Jesus Christ, guide you as you lead PAO onward.

Your brother and sister in the faith,



Norm and Bobbe Evans


New Leadership

For over forty years, Pro Athletes Outreach has been equipping an army of pro athletes and coaches to use their platform and influence to impact others. Twenty-five years ago, Norm and Bobbe Evans took over the leadership of PAO and expanded the organization from just one ministry to multiple ministries to multiple sports.

The PAO Leadership Conferences for pro athletes and their wives are the most effective tool we have to minister to pro families. And it doesn’t end when the conference ends – Christian pros become godly leaders in their families, their locker rooms and their communities. Further, the creation of the Coaches Time Out conferences has exponentially increased the number of coaches, athletes and families learning Biblical principles and applying them in their lives. Coaches carry a special burden for their kids; Biblical transformation makes that burden lighter and easier to carry.

PAO’s conferences are thriving. Thousands of people have better lives because of the Biblical teaching they’ve heard, and because they’ve developed a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ.

Norm and Bobbe Evans have left a legacy of faithful and influential athletes and coaches and now pass the torch to a new leader. The Board is pleased to introduce Steve Stenstrom as the newly elected President of PAO. Steve has an extensive leadership background, along with a rich history of athletic success. He comes to PAO from his ministry to students on the campus of Stanford University, Kingdom First Ministries. Steve has a passion for connecting with and mentoring others, and developing their God-given potential. He is highly creative and innovative in his strategies for reaching people and helping them to connect with their Maker in order to leverage their talents, influence and passions to further God's Kingdom.

Steve played quarterback at Stanford University where he continues to hold most of the career passing records.  He continued his athletic career into the NFL, where he played for six years, retiring in 2001.  At Stanford, he met his wife Lori.  They now have four children - Brooke, Blake, Lindsay and Ashley - and currently reside in Menlo Park, California.  Steve is also a Bay Area regional coach of The Master's Program, a leadership mentoring program for Christian business and ministry leaders.  He has a passion for God's Word, and his experiences in the business and sports worlds offer a unique and exciting outlook for PAO's future.