Three AIA Awards presented at the 2009 Staff Conference
This year at the bi-annual Campus Crusade for Christ/Athletes in Action staff conference at Colorado State University, the new president of AIA, Mark H.* presented the 2009 Pioneer Award, the Innovator Award, and the Servant of the Year Award to four deserving staff members.
The Pioneer Award—Rabi M.
The 2009 Pioneer Award went to Rabi M. Rabi, the AIA leader in Ivory Coast, has worked as a global leader over the last 10 years in Francophone, the French-speaking countries of Africa. Francophone represents 17 countries and 300 million Africans.
“Ten years ago, AIA did not exist in these countries,” Mark says. “Rabi has made a way for 11 countries in Francophone to give life, hope and opportunity to the African athletes in those 11 nations.”
The Innovator Award—Phil and Julie G.
The 2009 Innovator Award goes to Phil and Julie G. Phil and Julie have developed a win/build/send ministry at Michigan State. In 2002 they recruited a couple people to go with them to the Ivory Coast—Mark H. was one of them.
“It never got out of their bloodstream because they have led the ministry at Michigan State into a partnership with South Africa that is now far beyond Phil and Julie,” Mark says. “They have embraced a new idea and they are making something happen in a fresh way.”
Next year, for the first time, the World Cup of Soccer will be on the continent of Africa. “And Africa is thrilled about this opportunity,” Mark says. “AIA will be represented very well there in part because Phil and Julie have lead Michigan State in an ongoing relationship with South Africa and have done many things to encourage [AIA at] Michigan State to embrace South Africa.”
The Servant of the Year Award—Tim P.
The Servant of the Year Award goes to Tim P. for selflessly applying his gifts for the accomplishment of the mission and to the benefit of others.
“Time and time again this man has demonstrated willingness and effort in both initiating and responding to God’s prompting for opportunities to expand AIA’s impact,” Mark says. “This gentleman has a knack for getting things done. What kind of things: A Web site called Beyond the Ultimate, the AIA Communications department, the AIA Gear site and shop, Summer Opportunities leadership, directing international teams, the Volunteer Conferences, the Super Bowl Breakfast simulcast, and the CSU Campus Crusade and AIA staff conference.”
*AIA’s policy is to use only first names of staff members in online stories.