“Passionate, local leaders serving inside their culture”
We are at a very exciting time in our Sports Ministry with
GO Ministries. This summer, we have seen so many different facets of our
ministry in action. We have had basketball and baseball clinics for hundreds of
different kids in communities that GO churches are ministering and active in.
We have had commitment, discipline and integrity poured into our kids daily in
our academies. Currently we have over 180 kids in our Baseball academy, and 60
kids in our basketball academy. We have had great commitment from kids who have
chosen to take advantage of our optional English classes 3 days a week during
the summer. We have had an amazing Thursday night bible study where each coach
takes a turn leading the study with what Jesus is to them in their lives. We
have had great successes in Santiago city tournaments in both Baseball and
Basketball. We have even had some interest from MLB teams and various tryouts
in Santiago and trips to the Capital 2 hours away.
Sounds busy huh? Will Partin and I see the potential that
sports has to act as a vehicle to bring the gospel to kids from any
country/culture through something that they love. We each have experience
playing/coaching in College in the US. Together, we have a vision for what GO
sports should look like. The most beautiful part about GO Sports is that we
have gotten to the point where we watching the fruits of years of
training/coaching our GO coaches to do their thing in their areas of expertise!
We have 5 full-time baseball coaches and 5 full-time basketball coaches, and
all the ministry going on is happening through them! We are not at the field/court daily ... and that's ok. That's not only "ok" that is good and healthy! We can focus our energy
and resources on other areas because we know that our coaches are committed to
the vision of GO and the expansion of Christ’s kingdom DAILY, through whatever
that particular day’s activities may look like.
We are not perfect. We don’t have it all figured out. BUT,
we are so excited to be at a point where we are working out God’s calling to
this ministry through our vision statement goals of working through
“passionate, local leaders serving inside their culture. Our coaches know what
these kids are going through in their home lifes. Our coaches know what kind of
pressures they see on/off the court. Our coaches know what it is like to deal
with alcoholic, absent or abusive parents and influences. Our hope is that our
coaches can rise up and be a primary influence in these kids and help them
understand that God has a bigger purpose for them than to be wrapped up in what
the “streets” have to offer. God has a plan for them. Period. Our prayer and
goal is that our coaches continue to show this to our kids daily and that God
continues to reveal himself to our coaches and players every day. Please take a minute to life our coaches up
in prayer as this is no easy task! We are all on one team, and God is expanding
his kingdom through our Sports Ministry everyday and I am humbled and blessed
to be a part of this global team and partnership.
