Golfing for God in Kenya?

Posted in AIA Global Sports, Hard Copy Newsletter by

It’s interesting to watch God at work as He assembles and builds His ministry of reconciliation with sometimes unlikely parties all over the world.  As we have previously posted, (The Love of God … and He was one …) AIA has been building a ministry in the Kenya and Rwanda area for eight years.

Last week, God extended an invitation to people of all walks of life from Kenya and the US to join Him at work.  His mission:  continue reconciling the  people of East Africa to Himself.   What may look like a golf tournament was really divine invitations to participate in saving lives.  The golf outing  also facilitated the gathering of financial and human capital for AIA Kenya’s current and future operations.

Would you lift up AIA staffer David N. and all who will respond to God’s invitation to work together?  Please ask the Lord to develop their ministry team, uniting them with a vision to reconcile the people of Kenya and Rwanda to Himself and to defend them from the Evil One who will be trying to stop them.

If you would like to experience some highlights from the 2011 East Africa project, take a look:

        Thanks for your partnership with AIA Global Sports!

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

Give Life this Super Bowl Weekend!

Posted in Getting to Know AIA, Prayer by

“I never really experienced living until I received Christ as Lord,” Neil Konitshek said.  When he was 32, God reached into the darkness of his life and provided light.  (His Story)

Konitshek was a successful real estate agent in San Diego, but he knew his life was empty.  He was invited to the 1988 Super Bowl Breakfast where Joe Gibbs, then head coach of the Washington Redskins, was the keynote speaker.  Along with testimonies from NFL athletes, the program included an invitation to enter a personal relationship with Jesus Christ given by Gibbs himself.

Konitshek had no idea what was coming.  “At the breakfast, it really hit me.  Joe Gibbs spoke about his family and the important things in life.  Here I was losing my wife and kids because of my behavior, but I didn’t want to admit that.”  When Gibbs led the audience in the prayer, Konitshek accepted the invitation.  The next day, he says, he felt a true change in his heart.

Konitshek is currently active in a local church and often participates in street evangelism or outreaches in the city’s bustling nightclub scene. He knows the results might not be seen quickly, but he trusts God is at work.  (Source: Teresa Young, AIA Communications)

Please lift up this event and all who attend Feb 4 at 8AM!  Countless lives will be changed forever and we can partner in this work. 

Listening to Your Hero!

Posted in Getting to Know AIA by

Whom do you really admire as the best at what they do?  Now imagine hearing that person share his or her faith journey first-hand while sharing a great meal.  Each year AIA holds its Legends Series of outreaches to the business and sporting community.  They are attended by thousands, with honorees sharing their journey to faith in Christ and a clear invitation to receive Christ.  When your hero speaks, don’t you pay close attention?  That’s why this is such a compelling ministry.

The Super Bowl Breakfast features speakers and special guests from the NFL, both past and present, and the presentation of the Bart Starr Award.

The NBA All-Star Game Breakfast gives attendees the opportunity to get “up close and personal” with NBA coaches and players, and honors athletes for exemplary leadership, character, and integrity.

The Legends of the Hardwood Breakfast is hosted by AIA and FCA. The event features speakers and special guests from the world of basketball, and the presentation of the Coach Wooden “Keys to Life” Award.

Held at AIA World Headquarters in Xenia, Ohio, the Night of Champions includes inductions into AIA’s “Hall of Faith,” an elite honor given to athletes or coaches who display exemplary character in the game, in their families, and in the community.

Want to know more?  Contact Dave Lower at (513) 404-9956 or at dave.lower@athletesinaction.org.

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.

If Jesus were born this weekend ….

Posted in Faith, Jesus Christ by

Dear Friend,

Karen and I pray you are doing well.  Take a few minutes to relax and remember why we are celebrating Christmas on Sunday.  If your family is like ours, there is so much to do to prepare for Christmas.  It can be very hectic and stressful because of all the preparations, family traditions, and travel expected to visit our families.  Know that we are praying this will be a Christmas that is filled with revelation of how much Jesus loves us. 

I ran across an interesting and entertaining portrayal of Jesus’ birth about a month ago that you will enjoy and also be able to share with your friends who do not know Christ.  It could be a great conversation starter.  The YouTube clip below only runs about 4 minutes.  Enjoy!

Enjoy, relax and have a Merry Christmas.  If you enjoyed this clip please leave a comment.  We would love to hear from you.

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.

A Life Changing Decision!

Posted in AIA Global Sports, From God's Word by

Obviously we go to fulfill the Great Commission because God wants everyone to know Him and because we want to share God’s love, and for many more reasons.  So we are serving God to change lives, but did you ever consider how a mission trip would change the lives of those who go?  Take a look at some examples.

An athlete:  “After a summer of AIA Baseball, I came back to my campus and started AIA here.  Every week I lead a Bible study for all the athletes in my department.  During the week I meet with other athletes for one-on-one discipleship”

A parent:  “I help coach my sons’ soccer teams and work to be a Christ-like influence to the kids and parents of the team.”

In a community:  “I am involved in AIA, and also go around speaking at different high school huddle groups to share my testimony and encourage them.”

God uses these projects to change everyone’s lives!  Have you ever asked the Lord how you could be a part of a short-term project like AIA’s?  Take a look.

How has God changed your life through a mission project?  Share your experience!