The vision of Athletes in Action is a Christ-follower on every team, in every sport in every nation. This is happening through people like Lauren, an intern I coached last year who was a runner at DePaul U. in Chicago. She was involved with Cru, but there was nothing for athletes. A friend invited her to AIA at Northwestern U. After graduation, God called her to serve a year internship with AIA. As a DePaul alum, she could help open ministry on her campus. Over the past year, Lauren has seen the ministry grow from a few students to a thriving community including athletes from almost every team oncampus.

Seeking biblical unity and oneness is a core value of AIA. During her internship Lauren has lived out this value through her relationship with Chim, a runner from Zimbabwe. Chim says everyone in Zimbabwe has heard of God, but she had no understanding of the gospel. She told Lauren, “I don’t know what I would have done if you had not helped me understand that the gospel was personal — that I could know God personally.” Through their friendship, Lauren has experienced huge personal growth as she strove to understand Chim’s struggles as a black athlete in America. Chim was able to teach Lauren about oneness even as Lauren has discipled her.

A major reason she decided to intern for a second year has been Lauren’s opportunity to help open ministry on a new campus — the U. of Illinois Chicago. She initially approached the swim team to share about AIA. Afterward, Lauren shared the gospel with Nikki, an interested freshman whose life dramatically changed when Lauren discipled her and taught her how she could walk with Jesus in the power of the Holy Spirit. Nikki and some other freshmen invited 12 of their teammates to join them in a Bible study which Nikki co-led. Four key freshman leaders now have a vision for reaching their campus for Christ.
As of August 1st our new address will be 6300 Sedge Lane, Hilliard, OH 43026. A correction from last month.
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Click the following: July 2018 to print a hard copy newsletter.
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become not only leaders on their teams, but to become all God wants them to be for life.
We have also been working the last few months to sell our home and downsize. We plan to list May 31st and then live in an apartment for at least a year. As of August 1st our new address will be 4300 Sedge Lane, Hilliard, OH 43026.
Three days after the sentencing of Larry Nassar, former USA Gymnastics and MSU doctor, a quad gymnastics meet was held in East Lansing. Right before the event, over half of MSU’s gymnasts met together where they were led in God’s Word and prayer by Emma Garner, an AIA intern I (Karen) coached last summer. Student athletes from almost every sport at MSU attended the competition to support the team who have been harassed on social media.
Last month was our 30th anniversary, and this month we celebrated by attending a Family Life marriage conference. As our supporters, you can attend a Family Life conference at 75% off from now until August 2018 by using the code CruThanks at checkout. (Family Life is a Cru ministry just like AIA.)

A major focus of 
Our summer staff conference has always been one of the best sources of useful and wonderful training. Cru17 will be no different. We will discuss major issues facing the world and the church today. Workshops will provide practical, specific information on a wide range of opportunities to build partnerships. Completing the Great Commission is a greater task than one organization can accomplish alone.