Monthly Archives: October 2012

“It really touches my heart…”

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“This is special that you would give me this thank you card.  It really touches my heart that you would come all this way to thank us.”  A Sports Physiotherapist at the Olympics 

This sports medicine professional’s reply was typical of the response AIA Global Sports staff experienced as they greeted many in the Westfield Mall in London.  It was a place where people celebrated, relaxed, and escaped during their Olympic experience.  It was a safe place to connect with people from all over the world.  AIA staff greeted athletes and sports professionals and handed out small gifts and thank you cards made by the Kardia Foundation, thanking them for their contribution to the Olympic effort.  Our goal was to share God’s love and make connections.  These connections led to conversations with people, such as team physicians from many different countries.  Through these relationships, we pray God will create ministry opportunities to serve these countries through Sports Performance.  In each case, God’s love will be shared while we serve, and conversations about holding future projects within these countries can take place.  It’s through this desire to serve that God will send His message of salvation to many around the world.

You are a vital part of this team by supporting AIA Global Sports.  We appreciate your partnership in the gospel.  Since athletes are heroes to many people around the world, those who know Jesus have unprecedented opportunities to be His ambassadors, and we, together with you, get to help facilitate that.

1 Million watched them in person!

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Source: Reuters

A million spectators attended the trials and finals of the men’s and women’s road cycling races at the 2012 Olympics.  Cycling as a sport and recreational outlet continues to grow in popularity.  In the US, it’s strongest growth is in the larger cities and in the western states, especially among 25 to 64-year-old men.  So how popular is cycling?  Who does not know Lance Armstrong?   Yet, according to a 40 year veteran AIA staffer, “cyclists are the biggest unreached group in the world of sports.”

Source: Oakley.com

Imagine how many lives might be touched with the message of God’s love if Lance Armstrong were a Christ-follower?  Be encouraged; God is moving.   He has raised up an insider to this world who is starting a ministry through AIA Global Sports.

Todd competed in the world of cycling for six years before God called him into a ministry to his fellow athletes.  He is keenly in touch with the pioneering reality surrounding God’s call to this sport.  “Cycling is a very ego-driven sport

Source: BBC

because you are out there on your own and these guys have sacrificed so much of their lives in training for this sport that it is hard for them to rely upon anyone or anything other than themselves.”  However, Todd has connections to a  small core of talented upcoming cyclists who are Christ-followers.  This is critical to have an impact in cycling.  You must start at the top with the heroes everyone is trying to emulate.

We will share more about this new ministry.  In the meantime, please pray for Todd and all those who are stepping into this pioneering ministry.

Their reaction was worth the entire trip! / October 2012 Newsletter

Posted in AIA Global Sports, Hard Copy Newsletter by

It was the last day of the Ugandan Girls basketball project and they were helping at the Peace for Children Africa (PCA) orphanage.  The PCA was one of the places the project served between the scheduled basketball-related outreaches.  You can catch more about the project at “What about right now?” and “AIA 2012 Ugandan Project“.  The orphans were excited to thank the team by showcasing their singing, dancing and acrobatic skills.  They were outstanding!  Afterward, our team gathered to give the kids one last gift.  Each child was invited by name to receive a backpack as the team sang “Mighty to Save”.  For us, this is not a big deal, but to them, it was huge because their reaction was worth the entire trip!  You could tell they were not expecting anything.

You may know the saying”We are saved by faith alone, but not by a faith that is alone.” Faith is what saves us and it’s  always connected with good works.  This is why AIA’s Global Sports includes as much physical aid as possible for projects.  The gospel message comes in many forms, and compassion aid is a critical part of our projects.  AIA Global Sports is very mindful that sports activity is a doorway through which the life-changing message of the gospel moves.  Why use sports?   Nelson Mandela said it the best, “Sport has the power to change the world.  It has the power to inspire in a way that little else does. ”  Want to know more about AIA compassion aid? Click here.  Thanks, Katie for your help!

Please review our prayer page and support needs links and lift up our ministry to the Lord.  Click the following:  Oct 2012 to print a hard copy newsletter.