Tag Archives: Athletes In Action

What’s in a story?

Posted in From God's Word by

For the Rogers family, May has already been both exciting and perplexing and it’s only half over.  Our family eagerly anticipated its arrival because Andrew was graduating from The King’s College and we all joined him to celebrate in New York City.  We had the chance to meet Andrew’s professors and fellow students and see some of his world.  It was a great weekend!  There were 60 graduating seniors and their families, all sharing their journey to this milestone.  Can you imagine all these stories coming together to make up the class of 2012 story?  

However, that week, Hannah, a long-time friend of the family, passed away.   Even though Hannah was a few years older, she and Erica were great friends because they walked a similar path in life.   Within 36 hours of returning from NY, Karen, Erica, and I found ourselves traveling so Erica could speak at Hannah’s life celebration.  (Our friends, Blaine & Judy, Hannah’s parents)

Erica & Hannah’s sister, Heather

It’s interesting and perplexing how God allows such different stories to be lived out simultaneously.  However, God has blessed it, and we are storytellers living part of God’s story of redemption and reconciliation.  Regardless of how great or broken our stories are, God delights in each one. They are unique views into His Story that we will hear in eternity.  Are you ready to tell your story to others?  It may be the story that opens the door to the very heart of God for someone.

Going beyond sports / Apr 2012 Newsletter

Posted in Getting to Know AIA, Hard Copy Newsletter by

Last May I had the privilege of serving at an evening filled with real life examples of dedication, love, and humility.  It was a celebration of two athletes who shared God’s transforming power in their lives and the journey of learning to live out their faith daily.  What a contrast to today’s sports headlines.

Frank Reich, one of the inductees, framed the key to his walk of faith this way; “We have all been watching the news about Osama bin Laden. The other day I saw an interview with a former Navy Seal. He said it is all about the men and the mission. I am here to tell you I feel the same way,” Reich said. “Each one of us has challenges we face all of the time. I am praying every day to find strength and courage through God.”  Frank chose to live out his faith daily, and everyone noticed, including Jim Kelly, who gave his life to Christ because of Frank’s example of faith when they played with the Buffalo Bills.   

Frank was sharing with over 400 sports fans and professionals, many of whom will likely not be in a church anytime soon.

Please lift up the 2012 Night of Champions (NOC) to be held on May 12th at AIA in Xenia, OH.  This year’s inductees will be Tamika Catchings and Clark Kellogg.

Together, we are changing lives just like Frank as we live out our faith each day.

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

The gospel and the boys of summer

Posted in AIA Global Sports by

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?

Why Sports Ministry Matters

Posted in Getting to Know AIA by

Photo Credit: Wikipedia

Arkansas football coach Bobby Petrino‘s moral failure is the latest high-profile example of why sports ministry is so critically needed in reaching people for Christ.  Can we begin to imagine the impact of Petrino’s decisions on his family, staff, athletes, fans and countless others?  It will be difficult to overestimate.  What’s worse is that moral failures are not isolated to college football; it’s occurring in most sports around the world.  Petrino and many other coaches and athletes have become heroes or role models.  Unfortunately, Coach Petrino’s choices will serve as a negative example.  What if someone had helped him to know and follow Jesus?

This is why Karen and I serve with the Global Sports Team of Athletes in Action (AIA), the sports-based ministry of Cru.  Since 1967, AIA has been sharing the good news, discipling athletes and coaches, and challenging them to use their influence to advance the kingdom of God.  Our mission is to have a Christ-follower on every team, in every sport, in every nation.  To fulfill this mission, AIA is winning athletes, coaches and sports fans to Christ, and they are changing the world.

Since athletes are heroes, those who know Jesus have unprecedented opportunities to be His ambassadors, and WE together with YOU, our ministry partners, get to help facilitate that.

If you want to learn more about AIA, our ministry or how to make a difference, go to Eternal Investments and contact us.

“I want to accept Jesus!”

Posted in AIA Global Sports by

“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!

Posted in AIA Global Sports by

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.

The power of a relationship!

Posted in AIA Global Sports by

We all meet new people as we walk through life.   Sometimes these new relationships have little influence on our lives.  However, occasionally we meet someone and clearly notice there is something different about him or her.  Whether it’s a personality or a common interest, he or she captures our imagination and we are drawn to this new friend.

Later this month, AIA Global Sports will be holding a 12-day men’s basketball tournament that will be played during the Muslim New Year called “Nowruz” in a Central Asian country.  As in most Muslim countries, you cannot share the gospel openly in public, so the key will be to build relationships at the tournament and invite folks to a privately sponsored event where the gospel can be shared.  AIA has been ministering in this country for quite some time and has seen much fruit.  In addition, this ministry is helping many believers from other countries to share the gospel cross-culturally.  Several ministries will be working together, and you can be a partner in this project by praying for the AIA team, the local staff, and all those the Lord introduces to them.   ( 1 Tim.2:1-6 is the connection between your prayer and people’s salvation.) Thank you for your partnership with AIA’s Global Sports.