Athletes in Action News and Commentary

Outreach #2

FRIDAY, JUNE 26, 2009- Today we got to stretch our horizons again as we went on another outreach. First we went to John Sales Manor, where Xenia Christian High School students have been volunteering for the last eight months. Our time there consisted of knocking on doors to invite people down to “Family Time,” a social event where students served baked goods and fostered small group discussions.

From there we traveled to Dayton to serve at the Biltmore. Formerly a luxury hotel, with its glory days in the 30s and 40s, the Biltmore once hosted the likes of Elvis Presley. It has since been turned into apartment housing for seniors. When we arrived we again went knocking on doors, but this time to invite people down for a once-monthly free dinner hosted by churches in the Dayton community. As people arrived downstairs we served dinner and talked with residents. We met people of all backgrounds and spent hours in conversation. One woman shared how she had survived ten different fires. Another shared how God had proved Himself real to her by miraculously providing a job and an apartment overflowing with furniture right when she needed it most. The evening of serving dinner allowed us to share lives, prayers and even hugs before we left. We gave of our time and attention to serve others, but through God’s grace we were blessed to connect to and learn from those who had so much to share with us in return.

By Ashley, Communications Department

Women’s Night, Take Two

MONDAY, JUNE 22, 2009 – It was an emotional yet reviving night after reading the children’s book, “You are Special” by Max Lucado, as God revealed and women shared their strongholds: thoughts, experiences and characteristics that prevent us from being who God created us to be. In “You are Special,” every day small wooden people called Wemmicks stick either gold stars or gray dots on one another. The pretty and/or talented Wemmicks receive gold stars while those who are inept or have chipped paint, receive ugly gray dots, like the main character Punchinello. Punchinello was very distraught as a result of the thoughts the world was feeding him when he went to visit Eli the woodcarver who explained how special he truly is mimicking the truth that God cherishes us just as we are and we are precious in His sight.

It is easy to get lost in negative thoughts and past hurtful experiences that are all a product of this world and Satin. This women’s night was refreshing as we put those thoughts and experiences behind us, literally throwing our dots into a fire pit. We encountered freedom through Christ, knowing that we are fearfully and wonderfully made in God’s image.

By Elaine, Communications Department

Men’s Night, Take Two

MONDAY, JUNE 22, 2009 - The second men’s night of the summer consisted of some competitions of the physical sort followed by a manly discussion. Some more points (person with the most points at the end of the summer gets an AIA t-shirt) were at stake when we took the fields for a homerun derby, a throwing accuracy challenge, and a penalty kick shootout.

The homerun derby was a little lacking in power except for an, Ernest Jordan the Third, moon shot to center that ended up putting him on the disabled list. Good thing that Leslie, our fearless athletic trainer, was on hand to give Ernie an evaluation after the slugger hurt himself with a swing that was so mighty, “Casey at the Bat” would be jealous. Ernest said that he would sit the rest of this one out, but he was quickly back in the game when we moved on to our next event.

For the throwing accuracy challenge, each participant was given 3 throws from center field to try and split two cones that were set up like a goal at home plate. After the first round there was a five way tie for first so extra innings ensued. The Fab Five was slowly dwindled down until finally, Matt “Marco Polo” Zarko came out on top.

After the throwing, we headed to the soccer pitch for a penalty kick shootout. The heavily favored, Luke Comers, did not disappoint. Luke’s victory was sealed after staff member, Jared Wellman, clanged two consecutive shots off the post. The games were then concluded with a friendly game of World Cup.

After the games were finished, we had a discussion on the, “Four Pillars of a Man’s Heart”. We talked about two of the pillars which were “King” and “Warrior”. It was a productive evening of man time as we continue to learn what it means to be a man and how we can have an impact on people that God places in our lives.

By Taylor, Athletic Training

AIA Principles

THURSDAY, JUNE 18, 2009 - Last week, the X-Project team had the opportunity to join the sports training camp during the AIA principle sessions. The sports training camp consisted of six teams, 80 student-athletes, preparing physically, mentally and spiritually before embarking on their competitive tours.

The AIA Ultimate Training Camp (UTC) in Colorado is dedicated to teaching student-athletes how to unite their sport and God by applying the AIA principles. Last summer, I had the opportunity of having that commonly known life-changing experience at UTC but this year, as an X-Project intern, I was able to listen to the principles from a unique perspective.

My favorite AIA principles have always been “Audience of One” and “Victory beyond Competition” where you learn that God is the most important audience rather than your family, fans, coaches, ect. and that God has entrusted each of us with an individual S.H.A.P.E. (spiritual gifts, heart and passion, abilities, personality and experiences) to be used for his glory.

When you learn these principles at UTC, although you know they can be applied to life outside of sports, you specifically practice them in athletic competition. As the interns participating in the X-Project are primarily here to get work and ministry experience, we are in the perfect environment to apply the principles to the real world.

By Elaine, Communications Department

Gay Pride Run/Outreach

SATURDAY, JUNE 13, 2009 - It was a stretching experience for most, and a new experience for all. While few of us had ever run a 5k, certainly none of us had ever been to a gay pride run. But the choice to wake up early Saturday morning and to volunteer and run at Columbus Pride 2009 was not so we could stretch our legs and get some exercise. The point was to start to break down some of the barriers that have gone up between the church and the gay community. We were there to serve, to learn and to build relationships. Recognizing that the church has traditionally ostracized the gay community, we decided to spend a day at the annual event to humbly demonstrate Christ’s love to those who have probably experienced nothing other than scorn from his bride.

Eight of the interns ran in the 5k, while two interns joined some AIA staff to serve at the midpoint water station. We had fun meeting new people and challenging ourselves physically. Three of the interns even medaled, finishing in the top 20 of their gender. Amidst conversations, observations and even some throwing up (5k turned out be longer than some of us were conditioned for), we realized that our “outreach” perhaps did as much to break down our own stereotypes as much as it served to break down the stereotypes the gay community holds against the church. It became clear that the barriers created by hatred and misconceptions have kept us from loving those in the gay community, but have also kept those in the gay community from understanding the love of Christ.

Even though some were skeptical to let us participate, we received a warm invitation to come back and serve again next year. While our formal outreach was only one morning, it marked the beginning for many of us in an ongoing effort to learn what it means to serve and to walk humbly in love as Christ would have.

“And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands. As you have heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love.” 2 John 1:17

By Ashley, Communications Department