Mission (see video)
Create a movement of sport influencers through evangelism and discipleship.
One World to Reach:
For many, the stadiums of the world stand as a substitute for houses of worship. Whether in a backyard or in a stadium, fans gather to cheer for their favourite team. Be it professional, provincial, club, university or school level. In every corner of the globe, people are involved with sport. Children dream of being the next Lucas Radebe or Penny Heyns. Grown men crowd into stadiums to catch a glimpse of their favourite soccer star. A 15 year-old gymnast feels the weight of an entire country’s national pride on her shoulders as she competes in the Olympics.
One Language of Sport:
Soccer… Rugby…Cricket…Basketball…Netball…Hockey...Athletics
Sport is a unifying language that goes across language, cultural, race and gender barriers. People might not go to church but they will go to a sport event. All over the world sport men and women are using the language of sport to tell the story of Jesus.
The language of sport is used through a variety of strategies that combine:
• One-on-one ministry
• Mass exposure through the media
• Capitalizing on the momentum of large sporting events
• Discipling and training of high-profile athletes
One Message of Victory:
As AIA continues to mobilize athletes for global impact, people everywhere are hearing the life-changing message of victory in Jesus Christ. Evangelistic efforts built around high-profile sporting events like the Soccer World cup, the Olympic games and the Rugby World Cup, challenge millions to make a personal decision to follow Jesus. AIA staff, placed in cities all over the world, are building a movement of 15 000 spiritually mature athletes and coaches that will go on to impact millions.
In June 2010 the World’s eyes will be on South Africa, the host of the Soccer World Cup. As a ministry we believe that God is going to turn the hearts of our people back to Him. We see that the professional soccer players in our country are influencers, either bad or good. If God starts changing the hearts and actions of these players, we believe it can be one of the things that can start changing our country. God has given us a passion to minister to these players in our country, but also to train them. We use the one language they speak (Soccer) to give the people the one message of salvation: Jesus Christ our Lord.
