Category Archives: AIA Global Sports

What will be the impact? / June 2012 Newsletter

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We will never know the full impact of June 2012 this side of eternity;  however, God does.  By the time you read this post, seventeen missions projects will have been fielded by AIA’s Global Sports Teams.  They included hundreds of volunteers sharing the gospel in thirteen different countries.  These projects involved five different sports with two using a multi-sport format.  This month alone, Sports Teams conducted ministry operations in South Asia, East Asia, the USA, the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Mongolia, Brazil, Ghana, Zimbabwe, the Middle East, Mexico, Poland, and the United Kingdom.  In fact, this summer Global Sports Teams will be sending over 400 volunteers to 27 countries on a total of 41 missions projects.  We praise God for all He will accomplish this summer through these efforts!

Karen and I are excited about all the possibilities as God works in the lives of volunteers, athletes, coaches, and everyone who heard the gospel message.  Countless connections and relationships will be built by divine appointment.  Who will God raise up as messengers of His love in these countries?  What opportunities will they have and who will hear that same message through their actions?  Over the next several months we will be sharing  some of the countless stories of God’s work of reconciliation.

We are privileged to have an assignment that allows us to assist in the fielding of these projects.  You have a part as well, as you partner with us in prayer and financial support.  Thank You!

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

Making eternal connections

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Rico’s  story:  “God put on my heart years ago a passion for basketball and for people.  After college, I didn’t know what to do next.”  Rico was not aware of Athletes in Action (AIA) as he entered graduate school, but was an assistant basketball coach.  However, he knew something was missing.  Then Rico learned about AIA while preparing for an upcoming game and later took part in a basketball tour.  “I was able to finally realize that basketball is my way of worship back to God and my avenue to display Christ … basketball is a talent that God gave me to use for His glory.  Through that,  I was able to share the gospel through playing basketball God’s way and see whole teams give their lives to Christ.”   (Photo Credit: AIA, Rico on right)

Imagine being part of a team who connects up to a thousand volunteers like Rico to 30 – 40 missions projects each year.  Each of these projects touches countless lives with the gospel, discipleship and training.  That is exactly what the Global Sports Teams and our partners are accomplishing.   A big part of our job description is to give direction and organization to AIA’s Global Sports Teams communications.  We have the opportunity to connect people with amazing ways and places to share the gospel.  Imagine the difference we can have together?

Thank you to all those who are partnering with us.  Want to get involved?    You can make a difference by going to our Eternal Investments page.

The Hill of Transformation / May 2012 Newsletter

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None of them were ready for the day, the final leg in the UTC Special Journey.  It would be a one-mile run up a steep hill in the Colorado Mts.  All 150 of them knew it was coming. After days of intense physical and mental training with their teams, focusing on AIA’s 5 Principles, it was time for the challenge.  But they did not know how it would change everyone involved.  This final leg was on their own and would require all they had left to give and more. Halfway through, everyone was dealing with their pain by crying, praying and singing.  Then there was Alex, who injured his hip earlier.  His heavily wrapped hip was already pulsing with pain and he was moving much slower than everyone else.   However, he was determined to finish.  Halfway through, Alex dropped to on one knee, exhausted.  All hearts sank, but then someone yelled, “God’s got this, Alex.  Let Him finish it.”  His AIA trainer ran alongside saying, “Who’s with you?  Who’s running with you? Who’s running for you?”  Everyone started cheering.  When Alex finished the course, he collapsed into the arms of his teammates. The UTC experience served to magnify several times over what Christ endured for us.   The event culminated in worship with total peace, surrender, and joy.  (Story adapted from an AIA UTC 2012 blog posting)

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

In the shadow of Mt. Ararat

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Armenia has historically been at the forefront of God’s work to reconcile the world to Himself not once, but twice.  Mt. Ararat (now a part of Turkey) was the site where God directed the Ark to land after the Great Flood and He commanded Noah to reclaim the world.  Then around 45 AD the apostles, Thaddeus and Bartholomew brought the gospel where it grew until

Source: Google Images

St. Gregory the Illuminator (after emerging from a 13-year imprisonment  in a pit) converted King Tiridates III in 301 AD to Christianity.   Armenia remains largely Christian and is strategically located between Turkey and the Middle East.

Today, Armenia is again poised to play a prominent role in God’s plan of reconciliation.  Armenians love sports and take pride in competing around the world.  Cru and AIA have been developing ministries here for several years.  In 2009, AIA fielded our first project, where over 500 people were exposed to the gospel at a 3-day Sports Performance Clinic combined with a series of club events.  As a result, a ministry team was formed from those who attended and volunteered during the ’09 project.

Our 2012 Armenia Sports Performance project ran from May 14-22.  Our goals were to help organize the first sports medicine organization in Armenia and to conduct another conference and several clinics.  This organization will touch countless lives sharing the love of Christ and will help build a nation of Christ-centered laborers through Armenia’s love of sports!  We will share updates on the Armenia project soon.

The gospel and the boys of summer

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There are still six weeks of school, but it’s already started.  In every park or open field there are boys playing baseball.  For three months,  these boys of summer will practice, compete and learn together.  What an opportunity to build into the lives of these kids who will grow up and ultimately impact every part of our country and beyond.

“Athletes in Action is one of the greatest experiences a young man can have. The challenges of baseball are tremendous for growth, but the greatest growth comes in the spiritual side. My son was fortunate enough to play for AIA, and the greatest comment that he had to me was, ‘it was a life-changing experience.’”  Billy Goss, Former NCAA Head Coach

This is why AIA’s Global Sports Baseball invests in the lives of thousands of young men each year in leagues and projects, largely through volunteers.  Since 1980, AIA Baseball has been fielding national and international summer competing teams and has shared the Gospel on nearly every continent.

This summer’s project will be in the Dominican Republic.  Locally, our baseball ministry takes place from little league all the way through college with our Xenia Scouts program in Xenia, OH.

There is a clear and present opportunity to impact the lives of many youth through a local baseball league.  Is there an opportunity for you in your community to share Christ’s love with our future leaders?

“I want to accept Jesus!”

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“I want to accept Jesus!  It’s the most important thing I’ve learned here.”  Mike (not his real name) just finished his first Athletes in Action, (AIA) International Coaches Academy.  When asked about the most important thing he learned, he replied “I want to accept Jesus!”  Mike and twenty-eight coaches were flying home the next day.   They had just completed two weeks of training in  coaching philosophy, teaching techniques, principles of leadership, team development, finding sponsorship, and “building the infrastructure” of a successful basketball program.  But more importantly, Mike caught the eternal message of the academy–that Jesus loves him and gave His life so Mike could experience eternal life with purpose!  Very early the next morning, AIA staff and sixteen coaches witnessed Mike’s baptism.  Larry, who also accepted Jesus during the academy (formerly Muslim) also exclaimed,  “Next time it will be me getting baptized.”

Watching the life-changing transformation of these men as they accepted Jesus and as Mike was baptized is like witnessing the first Easter weekend.  That is what Jesus gave us that first Easter.  Thank you for helping make this possible for Mike, Larry and all the men and women whom AIA has had the privilege of assisting this year.

You can learn more about the our last International Coaches Academy at Two weeks that … and Academy Inspires Coaches …

Watch for a special Easter posting to share with your friends!

Breaking through the Spiritual Darkness!

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Europe, once the custodian of the gospel of Jesus Christ, has been actively rejecting the truth of God’s Word for centuries.  The continent is now essentially beyond unbelief and now Christophobic.  Only 21% of the population considers faith in Christ to be relevant with less even less attending worship weekly.  To make matters worst, clergy across the continent generally do not believe in the Resurrection nor the virgin birth of Christ.  Europe’s rise and fall has been clearly tied to the health of the church, but more importantly to the faith of its people in Jesus Christ’s love and sacrifice for them.

Into this darkness, AIA’s Global Sports will be sending four projects that will be sharing the love and relevance of God’s message of salvation in:

The key is meeting people at their point of need and showing them uncommon love and compassion.  The mission is clear, and millions of lives are a stake for eternity, as are countless generations to come.  How can we as individuals make a difference?

Ask the Lord if you know anyone who would have an interest in being a part of these projects through prayer, finances, or volunteering with the project.  If so, forward this posting.  Thank you so much for your partnership with us and AIA’s Global Sports.