(Air1 Closer Look) – Sports stars of all ages are fiercely acquainted with the need for physical and mental strength -- but what about spiritual? Athletes in Action encourages players to become the ‘Total Athlete.’
“When those three pieces come together and are integrated into one,” says CEO Mark Householder, “that person really has a holistic view of themselves.” Training for the oft neglected spiritual dimension is the AIA mission. “I believe it's an appropriate picture of how God sees them,” he adds. “They can really flourish and be fruitful -- not only in sports -- but in many other areas of life.”
Athletes in Action began in 1966 and enjoys a good reputation among amateur and pro-sports alike. The Christ-based ministry has chaplains assigned to more than 60 pro-sports teams. Players face unique challenges – they get an injury, or they are cut or traded -- and it hurts. “Those chaplains are there to bring support to the teams, bring biblical resources, relational encouragement - and ultimately point them to what it means to have a relationship with God.”
The chaplains are usually invited into service by a Christian on the team.
“It's amazing to see some of those walls start to come down…because a teammate of theirs is involved and he or she is living out the Christian Life in the locker room and on the field.”
AIA, a part of Cru, also has chaplains and ministry volunteers on more than 200 college campuses in the United States. “That's really been the strength in the backbone of our organization over the years -- working with college students -- serving as team chaplains to the coaches -- and the athletic community.”
They also work with younger athletes through their dedicated sports complex and retreat center in Southwest Ohio, which serves up to 300,000 junior and senior high athletes in a year. The ministry works internationally as well. “Around the world, we will we have a lot of volunteers a lot of staff that that work with the university (club) system,” he confirms. “We've got opportunities to sponsor athletes and coaches who go on mission trips.”
Athletes in Action provides devotionals and Bible studies through its website -- and on the field, they have a scrimmage for nearly every sport. From golf, to track and field to wrestling or soccer -- special trips to sharpen skill and character.
