Tag Archives: Making a Difference

Gifts, Passions and Glory

Posted in Hard Copy Newsletter, Sports T.E.A.M. by

“Let me tell you about my journey (really God’s) halfway across the world. He brought together a group of basketball Wills Story Photo 4players from around the country and took us to the Philippines.  We knew we would be playing against university and professional teams and doing mission work, but we all discovered our plans pale in comparison to the plans God has for us.

“From the start, we discovered a brotherhood no one could have anticipated, Wills Story Photo 5clicking as if we had known each other for years.  We were able to go so much further than surface level conversation and shared life together as men.  We discovered what it means to be a man of God’s kingdom through His Word and the experiences He took us on. God grew each of us closer to Him and to the life He has for us.

“Sharing the love of Jesus in Manila in a prison, an orphanage, a school and a hospital opened our eyes to what life is Wills Story Photo 1really about.  Many of us discovered our “why”-our foundational rock on which we will build for the rest of our lives.  We discovered we can use our gifts and passions to bring glory to God.  Using our play as our worship and our worship as our play, we can use basketball or whatever we do to be a spotlight for Jesus.

“Although our team found success in our games, we were playing for something Wills Story Photo 2bigger than the scoreboard.  It was so cool to fellowship with the teams after our games and share laughs, God’s love and the gospel story.  It was counter-cultural in the realm of sport.  It’s amazing that each one of us went on the same trip, did the same activities, and yet God worked in different ways in everyone.  He marked us in ways that will stay with us for the rest of our lives.

“Personally, I came back with a renewed sense of purpose.  God spoke to me and opened up my eyes to see where He is leading.  I’m sure all my brothers have stories and experiences that would never have happened if they hadn’t taken this flight of faith to the Philippines.

“I’m so thankful for all the amazing things God did in us and through us on this trip.  I encourage you to say “yes” to any sort of mission journey that God presents you with-there is truly nothing like it! But I also want to encourage you that you don’t have to travel across the world to make a difference.  Wherever you are and whatever you do, you can bring honor and glory to the Lord and together, He will use us to change the world!” ~Will

Your support enables students like Will to experience God in new ways.

Please review our prayer page  and support needs and lift up our ministry to the Lord.  Click the following:   Oct 2015 to  print a hard copy newsletter.

Concussions, graduations, teenagers, and dependence

Posted in Sports T.E.A.M. by

Family Life

Concussion, Therapy, College Graduations, Teenagers, Dependence. These words sum up the Rogers family experience.

June 2015 Word MapConcussion & Therapy: While Elizabeth is better, she has significant retraining for her brain ahead. The journey will be very difficult, but doable according to the doctors.

College Graduations: We rejoiced to see Erica graduate from OSU and Emily from Tiffin U., both magna cum laude. Emily is working to obtain a TESOL certification to teach English in South Korea and Erica started with Franklin Co. Social Services the week after graduation!

Teenagers: For most of you, no further explanation is needed. Life is full of school and social activities, and of course, driving almost everywhere.

Dependence on the Lord: We (Rick & Karen) have been living a Romans 5 experience, teaching us that suffering produces good results in us when we will choose to trust the Lord through it. Suffering leads to endurance and on to proven character, resulting in hope, thus preparing us for future service.

Ministry Life

Karen: She continues to write and edit written, and an ever-increasing amount of digital content for AIA. She has been discipling and coaching a group of interns who will be sent into the harvest field with AIA this fall.

Rick: He moved in a new leadership role focusing on digital communications. In order to reach those under 40 with the gospel or pursue/equip those in the sports world, you must do it digitally. If you don’t exist on websites, social media or email, you don’t exist! When people have questions, they find answers through “Google” or through relationships on social media. Digital communication is the 21st century equivalent to the Gutenberg Press in fulfilling the Great Commission. Rick is co-managing content for AIA’s athletesinaction.org, Facebook and Twitter pages and administrating AIA’s Team Blogs.

You are a vital part of this ministry, and we are grateful! The best news of all is our partnership can grow significantly in the coming years. Stay tuned!

Your prayers and support allow us to serve!  Thanks!

Please review our prayer page  and support needs and lift up our ministry to the Lord.  Click the following:   Jun 2015 to  print a hard copy newsletter.

Principles Matter

Posted in AIA Global Sports by

Deverin had decided to play basketball for the glory of God, but now he found he couldn’t play at all.

Christian athletes often struggle to combine Deverin in AIA jackettheir faith with their sports. Deverin, a lean, 6’9” basketball player is no exception. When the opportunity arose to put basketball and his new faith together by going on a tour with Athletes in Action, Deverin wasn’t sure he wanted to, but a persistent AIA staff member convinced this former atheist, now a new Christian, to apply.

“I had not counted on God capturing my heart during training camp and changing me.”

During training, Deverin learned The Principles, AIA’s curriculum giving athletes a biblical framework in which participation in sport is an opportunity to worship God. Each of the five principles focuses on a story from the Bible and applies it to sport and competition.

As he competed, Deverin experienced the power of Principle #1: Audience of One, which emphasizes how to worship God while participating in your sport. He learned that God alone is worthy of worship, especially on the ball court where his performance becomes a thank you gift to God.

Determined to be a witness to his teammates on his campus when he returned from the AIA tour, Deverin began to apply The Principles. Then, unexpectedly, he injured his shoulder, a devastating blow for any athlete. But God did something totally unexpected. Rather than use Deverin’s stellar performance on the court, God used his injury and inability to compete to reach Deverin’s teammates.

As Deverin recovered, Principle #4: Hurtin’ for Certain took center court. This principle focuses on God’s purposes for our trials. Because Deverin trusted in God‘s sovereignty, the door was wide open for him to share his faith with his teammates. Then things started to change on his campus. First, his teammates started to attend campus Bible studies, then other athletes from other sports teams, until the group went from 20 to over 200 athletes by the end of the semester.

In Deverin’s own words, “The trip with AIA made me realize what living your faith looks like…It taught me to be humble and surrender myself to God.”

Your prayers and support allow us to serve!  Thanks!

Please review our prayer page  (latest news on Elizabeth’s condition) and support needs and lift up our ministry to the Lord.  Click the following:  Nov 2014 to  print a hard copy newsletter.

She needs your prayers

Posted in AIA Global Sports, Hard Copy Newsletter, Prayer by

Biff, Oct 2014 Newsletter, ResizedImagine walking when your brain’s ability to process sensory input lags behind, like when audio and video are out of sync on your TV. Imagine an unstable world where focusing the words on a page is nearly impossible and you have no down dial for volume or brightness; where there are unrelenting headaches, dizziness and nausea, and your heart constantly races 50% faster than normal because your nervous system is just trying to keep up.This is the life our 16-year-old daughter Elizabeth has lived for the past two years since suffering a concussion playing field hockey.

Since then she has endured testing and treatment from many doctors and therapists and has tried meds, therapies and treatments we had never even heard of. The past several months have been filled with appointments and exercises we are to do with her. At this point, school is nearly impossible for her since she can’t read, use the computer or concentrate for more than a short time without worsening her headache. She needs your prayers.

On Monday, October 13th at 5:00 p.m. we are inviting a couple of pastors from our church to anoint Elizabeth with oil and pray with us for her. Would you join us on that day through prayer and fasting for her? You can fast from a meal, all your meals or anything else you are willing to fast from. Jesus said that some things are only accomplished through fasting and prayer. We are not trying to persuade an unwilling God, nor are we attempting to obligate Him by the number of people praying or because of our fasting; we are crying out to a loving Father who created and knows Elizabeth and has good plans for her.

Please pray for:

  • complete healing of Elizabeth’s brain
  • Elizabeth to allow God to use this trial for good in her life
  • wisdom for the doctors and therapists treating her now
  • the provision and direction to seek further treatment for her

Your prayers and support allow us to serve!  Thanks!

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

Once we know…

Posted in AIA Global Sports, Hard Copy Newsletter by

Have you ever experienced meeting someone who expressed compassion or care without any strings attached? Your world,June 2014, Darvin sharing gospel at least for a brief period, might have been transformed. Imagine further that this person traveled thousands of miles to meet you. How would you feel? If you’re like me, you would be wondering what was going on.

Amanda, Kristen, and Gabriel found themselves expressing compassion to a young man recently in Puerto Rico. As he realized they were expressing true compassion, everything changed. Kelsey and Grant were also sharing with four young men, and by the end of the conversation two of them accepted Christ as their Lord and Savior.

June 2014, Amanda, Kristen, GabrielThese students were part of AIA’s Extreme Challenge project to Puerto Rico – one of 15 missions projects currently underway or recently completed. They are experiencing what it means to be connected to Christ and live out 2 Corinthians 4:6; For God who said “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ.” Just as Christ has pursued them, they are now pursuing June 2014, Kelsey and Grant
others because of Christ’s love in their lives. The lives of these student athletes have been transformed as well, and they are experiencing an authentic relationship with Christ!  You can click on either image her them tell their story.

These are two of countless encounters for over 400 athletes/coaches serving in 30 countries around the world on at least 35 projects, touching thousands of lives. Together we and you are assisting them by training them on how to share what God is doing through their projects this summer for others to see. See more about these stories at “Fishers of Men” or visit AIA’s Team Blogs.

Your prayers and support allow us to serve with them!  Thanks!

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

Give Them a Voice

Posted in AIA Global Sports, Hard Copy Newsletter by

Do you remember the summer you were 20? Patrick’s and Aaron’s will be unforgettable! They have never met, but together they are about to take the biggest step of faith in their lives!

Why?Aaron, BKB Basketball

“I want to learn more about ministry and experience it. It’s new to me compared to how I grew up. I want to bring this experience back home and use it in youth ministry…. I can’t wait for it.” (Aaron)
“I am looking forward to being the Sports Information Director for our team. I want to connect with the other players and with basketball players around the country (of Mexico). It’s a trip of faith. I can’t wait to spread the word of God Patrick, BKB Basketballand faith in Mexico!” (Patrick)
They will be joining eight other basketball players and AIA staff for two weeks later in May. Listen yourself at Basketball – Mexico or click on that link on our team blog.

Patrick and Aaron are not alone. They are just two of about 500 athletes, coaches, trainers and volunteers who will be traveling this summer to experience God using their lives to impact thousands with His love and message of salvation through their love of sports.

How can you make a difference?AIA Team Blog Logo

The same way Karen and I are! Pray for them and give them a voice to share what God is doing through their lives and the bold step of faith their team is taking.
You can place the following URL http://teamblogs.athletesinaction.org/ into your web browser favorites and read a blog posting each day. If it encourages you, you can share it with your friends and family on Facebook or Twitter.

Your prayers and support allow us to serve with them!  Thanks!

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

We may not win another game…

Posted in AIA Global Sports, Hard Copy Newsletter by

“We may not win another game this year, and I may be a horrible coach,” Baylor coach Scott Drew said, “but if any of Scott Drew, Baylor Coach Quotethese guys leave without knowing Christ, that will be the real loss.” “Winning the game of life is a lot more rewarding than a 40-minute basketball game that’s so temporary,” he said. “To have an opportunity to help be a part of an impact on a young person’s life is the best feeling.” Coach Drew and a team of folks who love, care for, and coach the Baylor men’s basketball team witnessed five players give their lives to Christ and publicly proclaim their faith through baptism! They have been serving with the team for years, seeing a victory here or there and patiently impacting lives by living out their faith. This year, God has chosen to put them in the spotlight. “We don’t force anyone. We had players that came from different religious AIA Basketball Breakbackgrounds,” Drew said. “Our job’s not to judge, our job is to serve. Jesus came for the sick, not the healthy. I don’t think we ever make people feel awkward or different or embarrassed that they don’t have the same beliefs or faith.” AIA staff had the privilege of being involved with the team as well. In one quote, Foxsports.com shared that one of the players told a chaplain ”he was miserable and didn’t want to live according to his own plan anymore. A summer trip with the Christian basketball organization Athletes in Action had planted the idea of “playing for God.”

Catch more at “Baylor’s ‘extraordinary’ season has left lives changed” or see another story at “Scott Drew and Baylor best-kept secret left in NCAA Tournament”.  

Your prayers and support allow us to serve with them!  Thanks!

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