TOM BEAN, Texas (KTEN)- "It was extremely painful," Tom Bean girls basketball coach Wes Chapman said. "I'll never forget telling the kids that I was stepping down."

It's hard to leave something you love. And for Wes Chapman, leading the boys basketball program at Tom Bean was a dream. He had turned things around, taking the Tomcats to the playoffs seven-straight years from 2014-2020.

"It was real special," Chapman said. "Anytime you take over a program that's always the goal. Make a positive impact on the lives of kids and hang banners."

But in 2020, his best friend's mother in law began pushing Chapman to audition for a worship leader opening at Sherman Bible Church. One day, what he needed to do became clear.

"I was painting the football field for the last time in the fall, and the church had begun talking to me about that opportunity," Chapman said. "That was the first time I felt like that it was something I really needed to consider."

So Chapman made the hard decision to leave Tom Bean to accept the Worship and Communications Director position at Sherman Bible. The only thing? Chapman had no professional experience. He admits he'd only sung in front of a handful of people in his lifetime.

"All of a sudden, you find yourself leading worship in front of a thousand people on Sundays, I was extremely scared of that," Chapman said. "But when the Lord gets a hold of your heart and gives you a song to sing, it's really not a choice at that point. It's just being obedient to what he's called you to do."

As time went on, Chapman continued to settle into the role, but upon completing a theology class at the church at the end of last year, he experienced a familiar feeling.

"I felt that same tug that got me out of education and into ministry," Chapman said. I felt that same tug to get back in [to education]."

So when Tom Bean called again, Chapman was ready to answer, accepting the role of girls basketball head coach and athletic coordinator this month. And his impact is already being felt

"There's a new buzz amongst the girls athletic program," Tom Bean ISD Superintendent Steve Goodman said. "They're excited to be coached under his leadership."

Chapman said he's grown a ton and the past three years and he's excited to use what he's learned in ministry back on the basketball court.

"Because of what [Sherman Bible Church's leadership] invested in me, growing in my knowledge of Jesus Christ and what He's done for me, it's now equipped me to get back into education and do it for God's glory this time," Chapman said.

Chapman will be tasked with trying to lead the Tom Bean girls back to the playoffs for the first time since 2021.

He also wants to assure his church family he's not going anywhere. He'll be on staff through August and then will continue to serve how the church best sees fit.