Tag Archives: Missions

In the shadow of Mt. Ararat

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Armenia has historically been at the forefront of God’s work to reconcile the world to Himself not once, but twice.  Mt. Ararat (now a part of Turkey) was the site where God directed the Ark to land after the Great Flood and He commanded Noah to reclaim the world.  Then around 45 AD the apostles, Thaddeus and Bartholomew brought the gospel where it grew until

Source: Google Images

St. Gregory the Illuminator (after emerging from a 13-year imprisonment  in a pit) converted King Tiridates III in 301 AD to Christianity.   Armenia remains largely Christian and is strategically located between Turkey and the Middle East.

Today, Armenia is again poised to play a prominent role in God’s plan of reconciliation.  Armenians love sports and take pride in competing around the world.  Cru and AIA have been developing ministries here for several years.  In 2009, AIA fielded our first project, where over 500 people were exposed to the gospel at a 3-day Sports Performance Clinic combined with a series of club events.  As a result, a ministry team was formed from those who attended and volunteered during the ’09 project.

Our 2012 Armenia Sports Performance project ran from May 14-22.  Our goals were to help organize the first sports medicine organization in Armenia and to conduct another conference and several clinics.  This organization will touch countless lives sharing the love of Christ and will help build a nation of Christ-centered laborers through Armenia’s love of sports!  We will share updates on the Armenia project soon.

The gospel and the boys of summer

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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

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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!”

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“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!

What can I do? / Mar 2012 Newsletter

Posted in From God's Word, Hard Copy Newsletter by

It seemed like it took a half hour for Ellie to get through security at the airport on Saturday.   She had a bunch of change in her book bag.  You know how it is working with the TSA.  As we walked out of the airport, I remember thinking, here we go!  Part of me trusts the Lord for everything that will go on during the next twelve days of the St. Petersburg, Russia English Camp.  At same time, the list of things that could happen grows every time I consider the possibilities.  So even though it’s Ellie’s third project, I find myself at the same crossroads.  Do I put on the shoes of readiness from Eph. 6:15 as a part of the Armor of God and experience the gospel of peace, or do I choose the path of anxiety?

The New Testament definition for anxiety means to be “double- minded.”  I realize from this point until Ellie returns is out of my control.  Parents often face this situation.  I also realize worrying will not make a difference and will only ruin my day, so I need to decide to give this to God, flee the temptation (1 Cor. 10:13), and trust the Lord (Prov. 3:5-6). The only way I can do this is to pray and ask the Lord to fill me with the power of the Holy Spirit to believe in Him.

Lord, thank you for your Word, and the power to experience victory over worry.  If you relate to being double-minded or dealing with anxiety, click on “Why Worry?”.

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

Breaking through the Spiritual Darkness!

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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!

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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.