Missions Involvement - Athletes for Christ
Cedarville University's MIS program has been sending Athletes for Christ Teams to various countries of the world since 1971. These teams, which include men's and women's basketball, soccer, softball, and volleyball, use sports as an opportunity to share their faith in Jesus Christ and to present the Bible as the very Word of God.
For about 30 years the men's basketball team went to the Philippines. Other areas of ministry include Hong Kong, Portugal, Jamaica, Taiwan, and Thailand. Working with missionaries and national pastors in the area, games are scheduled with university teams or city selection (all star) teams. The combination of athletics and American athletes is an attraction which draws many to the games and clinics. Games may be played in the university gyms or in the town plaza. Crowds range from a few hundred to packed gyms; in outdoor arenas there may be thousands of curious and interested spectators. At halftime the team presents a program of songs and testimonies, followed by a message in the local dialect from the national pastor. At the conclusion of the game, spectators are invited to talk with the players, giving them an opportunity to present the gospel one-on-one. Individuals who make decisions for Christ or who want more information are introduced to the local pastor or church member for a follow-up ministry.
Soccer teams have traveled to Bangladesh, Brazil, Mexico and Africa. Women's volleyball teams have been to the Caribbean, and women's basketball to the Caribbean, Portugal, Brazil, and Hungary. These programs are conducted in the same way with slight changes depending on the situation.
Team members are required to follow the same application process as all MIS participants. It is expected that the applicants have some experience in the sport for which they are applying. Leaders, usually the coaches of the participating sport, attempt to encourage varsity and junior varsity players to become involved. The duration of the ministry varies from two to four weeks.
