Tag Archives: Sports Ministry

10 Days in the Kenyan Sun

Posted in AIA Global Sports by

For ten days in January, AIA held the 1st Annual Athletes in Action Golf tournament in Kenya.  (Golfing for God in Kenya)  Our goal was to invite people from all walks of life to be reconciled to God and to receive the life which will  change generations to come.

The tournament hosted 75 Kenyan   golfers.  Former PGA Pro Wally Armstrong (Bio Video) was the featured instructor and speaker who shared his life in Christ.  The outing included planning for a youth golf organization whose purpose will be to combine golf instruction and spiritual development through the Kenya Golf Union for youth in the Kibera Slum of Nairobi.  A golfing clinic was held for 45 youth and adults.  The young man pictured (left) with Philip was a “diamond in the rough”.  They spent time on the range talking about golf, life, and what it means to know God.    Phillip was moved by the young man’s eagerness to soak up their teaching about golf and spiritual life. 

Please pray for the staff and volunteers who will be developing this program to give eternal life, hope, and purpose to youth who live in the Kibera Slum.  Resources for materials including golf clubs will be critical in developing  this program.  If you would like to help, please contact us.

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.

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!

Where else could this be done?

Posted in Getting to Know AIA by

Would you believe one of the country’s best sports facilities is just west of Dayton, OH in a town of only 30,000?  Tucked away southwest of Xenia, OH is AIA’s World Training & Resource Center   (WTRC).  In September, I toured the WTRC sports complex with my friend, Don Ross.  The complex is the fulfillment of one part of AIA’s vision to share the gopsel through the world of sports.  Since athletes are heroes in our culture, AIA is striving to build a relationships to share the gospel, disciple, and equip people to fulfill Matt 28:18-20 through the door of sports.    Currently, the WTRC can provide housing for over 250 and banquet facilities for 500, as well as conferences and even family retreats.  Touraments and clinics for football, soccer, baseball, track and field, and softball are held nine months a year, all with chaplaincy services.  Challenge Courses are also available to provide any type of team-building experience.  All of this is to ultimately share the gospel and build ministry across the world.  In fact, over 80,000 were served in 2010.  The WTRC also plays an important role with the Global Teams where each project team completes their planning and training in Xenia.  In addition, the Global Team conducts coaching clinics for many sports serving coaches from around the world each year.

See it for yourself by contacting Erin Wellman at (937) 266-3883 or erin.wellman@athletesinaction.org.

You are a Global Investor!

Posted in Getting to Know AIA by

Yes, your portfolio is extensive.  AIA’s Global US team fielded 40 projects around the world in 2011.   These projects are not only changing the lives of people in these countries, but also the lives of college athletes and the adult volunteers who staff them.  Through this strategy, AIA has developed a ministry presence in 96 countries!  The philospohy of win, build, and send has resulted in 57 countries being led by nationals.

     We recently spoke with Ben T., AIA’s International/Global Director.  He is extremely excited about the opportunities AIA has globally.  By 2020, AIA’s goal is to see a Christ follower on every team, in every sport, in every nation.  We don’t know how the world itself will change, but sports has the power to change the world, as Nelson Mandela said (see About AIA).  When it’s coupled with the life changing message of Jesus, the world will be transformed.  “It’s a privilege to serve the Global Family of AIA as we trust God for what only He can do.  We are so thankful to have Rick and Karen join us.  They will be a tremendous blessing to the ministry around the world!”

Can you imagine the eternal return on our investment?