Category Archives: Athletes in Action

When you are a commodity…

Posted in Athletes in Action, Hard Copy Newsletter, Sports Ministry by

A significant part of Athletes in Action’s ministry is providing sports chaplains in several professional sports and for Olympians. Many people think that elite athletes have it made because of the fame and money they enjoy, but chaplains to these athletes share a different perspective. “An athlete is viewed as a commodity, not as a person,” says Reza Zadeh, AIA chaplain for the Denver Broncos. “They don’t know who to trust because everyone’s out to get something from them.” Former Boston Celtics chaplain Bill Alexson says, “People love them for what they do, not who they are. Their careers are temporary, and when it’s all done, they’re kind of left high and dry. At chapel, they come in and give their burdens to the Lord. A lot of these guys find peace for the first time.”

“The one thing we do more than anything,” says Mike Tatlock, chaplain to the Portland NBA team, “is to help them with their emotional, mental and spiritual well-being. We bring to the table the peace of Christ that passes all understanding. That is the remedy for the things that these guys struggle with.” Chaplains offer Bible studies, retreats, chapel services and individual discipleship with players, coaches and others in the organization. Many chaplains’ wives also conduct Bible studies for the players’ and coaches’ wives and girlfriends.

When Buffalo Bills player Damar Hamlin collapsed during the game with the Cincinnati Bengals in January, the medical team jumped into action, and so did Vincent Rey, AIA chaplain to the Bengals (and one of Karen’s coachees). He prayed with the Bills’ chaplain and then went to the locker room to support the team. “I gave out a couple dozen hugs just to let them know I’m here.” He also saw the opening for the gospel: “I had a chance to give a message to some people within the organization and management and even some of the coaches. Even though it was a hard thing to get through, I think the Lord used it to get glory throughout our nation.”

Please pray for AIA chaplains as ministers of the gospel and for major sporting events like the upcoming John Wooden Keys to Life breakfast in conjunction with the NCAA Final Four basketball championship.

Thank you for your prayers and gifts that enable us to serve the Lord and help others to serve Him. 

We are grateful for you!

Please review our prayer page  and support needs and lift up our ministry to the Lord.  Click the following:  March 2023 Newsletter hard copy. 

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Opportunity to Impact

Posted in Athletes in Action, Hard Copy Newsletter by

AIA’s Men’s Soccer has been invited to assist with this year’s David Villa Academy (DV7) in Valencia, Spain from May 22 – June 7!AIASoccerCrest.jpg

David Villa is the all-time leading goal scorer for Spain’s National Men’s Soccer team.  His training methods are respected worldwide.  AIA’s main role will be assisting with their player development/leadership training.

This is a huge opportunity for AIA to move our coaching skills to the next level while sharing AIA’s Total Athlete Principles with premier youth soccer players in Spain!  The potential impact these players will have over a lifetime, not only in Spain but around the world will be significant.

The project leadership is super pumped about this opportunity.  Let’s get a glimpse of their perspective.

AIASoccerMen.jpg“I am excited for the tremendous opportunity the tour gives our student athletes to be challenged in their faith. Every tour is different, but in the ways that make my heart sing, they are the same in seeing new followers of Christ come alive on mission for our heavenly Father.” Zach

“I have always wanted to combine my passions for sports medicine and sports ministry in a different country, and I am so thankful that God has given me this opportunity. I am also looking forward to being immersed in the Spanish culture and utilizing the Spanish I have learned throughout college.” Melanie

“Using soccer as a way to tell others about Jesus is an amazing opportunity! For me, I see this as a moment to invest and help others, but the reality is, I know that my heart and life will be changed.” JonathanScreen Shot 2017-04-20 at 3.06.10 PM.png

You also have an opportunity to make an
impact by regularly (daily 5/22 – 6/7) following and sharing in your world about this project.  You can follow the team and their project at http://teamblogs.athletesinaction.org/soccer-spain-men.  You will also be able to follow on Facebook (Athletes in Action Soccer) and Instagram (aiasoccerusa)

The more we share about the team, the more people will be praying!  Through prayer, God does amazing things.  Don’t you want to be a part?  Please follow the blog, pray, and share through social media or email.  Thank you!

Please review our prayer page  and support needs and lift up our ministry to the Lord.

Click the following: April 2017 Newsletter to print a hard copy newsletter.

Olympic-sized Faith Stories

Posted in AIA Global Sports, Athletes in Action, Hard Copy Newsletter by

Sharing Olympic-sized Faith Stories

On February 1, 2014, the Barna [Research] Group reported that Americans believe professional athletes influence society Lauryn Williams 2, cropmore than pastors “by more than a three-to-one margin.” Because athletes have so much influence in our culture, Athletes in Action strives to reach these men and women with the gospel, help them to grow in their faith, and then help them share their faith with others.  I (Karen) recently had the privilege of interviewing four-time-Olympian Lauryn Williams about her relationship with Jesus. After writing her story, I posted it online so that anyone looking for information about Lauryn or her sport can find it, and you can read about it here. It was announced yesterday (2/8) that Lauryn will be pushing the #1 bobsled at Sochi driver and fellow believer Elana Meyers! Read about it here.

Free App for Winter Olympians’ Stories

Jesus Film AppAIA and The JESUS Film Project are partnering to bring the faith stories of Winter Olympians directly into the hands of smartphone users. Through the FREE Jesus Film Media app, videos of the Olympic athletes will join a library of more than 66,000 video clips in some 1,100 languages.
Download the Jesus Film Media app now by going to app.jesusfilmmedia.org on your smartphone or search “Jesus Film Media” in the app store. For more information, go here. You can also use this app to share the JESUS Film itself with people in over 1,900 languages which comprise 91% of the world’s languages.

We value staying in touch with you.  In the next few weeks, like many families we will be dropping our home phone number.  Please make a note of this change and use our cell numbers.  You can find them by using the link Feb 2014 below.  If YOU have changed numbers, would you let us know by calling or sending an email soon? 

Please review our prayer page and support needs and lift up our ministry to the Lord.  Click the following:  Feb 2014 to  print a hard copy newsletter.

Will you remember Super Bowl 2012?

Posted in Athletes in Action, Getting to Know AIA by

In January we asked you to lift up AIA’s 2012 Super Bowl Breakfast.  (Give Life this …)  Thank you for being a part of giving life to many and providing hundreds the opportunity to accept Christ or grow in their walk with Him.  We praise God so many people will be able to look back at this weekend and celebrate how their lives were changed.  Below you will find a quick summary:
  • People attending: 2,000
  • Decisions made for Christ: 57
  • Wanted more info about a relationship with Christ: 340
  • Desired to be in a small group study: 172
  • Wanted information about AIA/Sports Spectrum magazine: 112

God continues to bless this outreach over the last 25 years.  We are thankful for how the Lord has blessed Bart and Cherry Starr, the strength of AIA’s and the NFL relationship, and how the award winners have truly stood for Christ and His character.

John Harbaugh, the head coach of the Baltimore Ravens, experienced his first Breakfast and participated in the program.  He said, “It was a great experience for our family and we enjoyed it immensely.  Thanks for encouraging me to do it.  It is a good reminder also of the opportunities to do so many good things according to where the Holy Spirit leads us.  Definitely was fun!”

You can learn more at Super Bowl Breakfast Features Tribute to Several NFL Greats.

Because of you ….

Posted in Athletes in Action, Campus Crusade by

Because of you, because of Him, we celebrate together all God has accomplished this year.

Karen and I want to thank you for allowing us to be one of your partners in ministry in 2011.  Sometimes it’s hard to remember we are not alone in our service and worship to our Lord.  It’s incredible to consider how much God has accomplished through the collective ministries of Campus Crusade for Christ (CRU), let alone the entire body of Christ.

Athletes in Action’s Global Sports group conducted ministry operations in 50 of those 191 countries mentioned in the video.  As a result, your partnership with us and AIA helped to change many of the lives touched by Campus Crusade ministries in 2011.

Karen and I are looking forward to partnering with you again in 2012.  If you are not partnering with us and would like to make a difference in 2012 by contributing to this ministry, go to our Eternal Investments page and ask the Lord how you could be involved.

We would love to hear about how you have joined the Lord in serving Him in 2011.  It would be an encouragement to all, please leave a comment.

Impact the world this Christmas season!

Posted in Athletes in Action, Global Missions by

Hello Friend,

Thank you so much for your partnership in ministry with our family and AIA’s Global Team.  We are privileged to be a part of this ministry through which God is reaching people with His message of salvation and love around the world.

An important part of AIA’s ministry has been to provide tangible resources such as equipment, facilities, and training as a part of projects or outreaches.  These gifts allow ministry to continue after a project or outreach is completed.  Would you pray about helping to provide some of these resources for the coming year as a part of celebrating our Lord’s birth this Christmas season?  Below you will find some opportunities:

          

.        Sport Aid Kits                Intl. Coaches Academy                Game Changer

This would be a great opportunity for a family, Sunday School class, or small group to contribute in a tangible way to make a difference in our 2012 projects and outreaches.  Gifts start as small as $100 for Sport Aid and the International Coaches Academy or just $30 to become a Game Changer.  Just click on the picture above the option you are interested in and you will be able to learn more.

Thank you very much for helping resource some of our 2012 projects.  Merry Christmas and may God bless you in countless ways as we celebrate His birth.