Announcing the new President of Athletes in Action

Athletes in Action is pleased to announce that Mark Householder has accepted the offer to become the new president of Athletes in Action.

“After giving long and serious consideration to several candidates, both inside and outside the organization, it is clear that Mark is most qualified to lead AIA into the future,” says Steve Sellers, Campus Crusade for Christ vice president for the Americas/Oceania. Sellers, who along with the AIA Board of Trustees and the AIA president’s leadership team, has been conducting a search for the new president for the past year since the resignation of former president Bill Pugh.

“We are truly humbled to serve in this role with a great organization,” Householder says. “We have been with AIA since graduating from college [Mark in 1982 and Marianne in 1985] and to be in this role with the organization that has greatly shaped our lives is a tremendous privilege.”

Householder has been an AIA staff member for 27 years and during that time has served as the national campus coordinator, the director of AIA’s pro ministry, and most recently as the director of the AIA Global Leadership Team.

“Mark’s leadership at local, national and international levels has prepared him for the task he begins today,” Sellers says.

As a freshman football player at the University of Cincinnati in 1977, Householder came to Christ as a result of the AIA ministry to athletes on the campus. In 1982 he returned to his alma mater as an AIA field staff member.

Householder is married to Marianne, who has also been involved in developing leaders within AIA and helping them to understand and engage their gifting in ministry. They have three children: Lauren (21), Robbie (19), and Garrett (14).

“Knowing Mark for 15 years, seeing his commitment to all that God has called us to and watching him grow and lead at all levels within AIA, I am both confident and expectant for what lies ahead,” Sellers adds.

Householder says: “As an organization, we will continue to seek the Lord for the fulfillment of our mission and ask for His favor and blessing around the world.  The world is changing rapidly and we will need to make sure that our methods and strategies are relevant and effective.  Creativity, innovation and great faith will be needed to connect people with the life-changing message of the gospel.  Ministry in the next 10 years will look very differently from the past 10 years, but we are convinced that God has a place for AIA and sport ministry in His redemptive plan. 

“What an exciting time,” Householder adds. “We are trusting God to guide us through the many adventures and challenges ahead!”

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