Last summer during our sabbatical I made a decision. I wanted to start a more intentional direction towards a college golf ministry. My time playing college golf at the University of Arizona, along with my years of ministry training and experience with Athletes in Action, has uniquely equipped me to reach college golfers.
I took the step of talking to some of the leadership with Athletes in Action to see if I would have their approval to attempt this ministry within AIA. They were very positive and encouraged to me pursue the beginnings of an AIA Golf Ministry.
This is a segment of our population who are not being ministered to and is very needed.
My next step was to attend the Big Ten Championships, the NCAA Regional Tournament, and the NCAA National Championship. God gave me grace and courage as I began to build friendships with players and coaches from the top golf schools from around the country.
Here are a few examples: The Washington coach and I are old friends from when we played junior golf against each other. The Arizona coaches were excited to meet an alumna (me). The Northwestern coach helped me by suggesting when would be a good time to schedule a chapel at the tournament. Coaches from USC, Virginia, Northwestern, Arizona, Stanford, and Ohio State were glad I was there to encourage and minister to their players.
These female golfers are not only extremely talented, but their hunger and thirst to grow in Christ is very refreshing. I made a special trip up to Chicago to meet with Hannah who was graduating and had just turned pro. She even asked me how she can be a witness for Christ on the tour. I am excited to help her to learn how to give her testimony in a way that presents a ravishing view of Christ and His redeeming work in her life.
Praise God with me for the favor I have been given with the college golfers and coaches. Please pray for me as I am making decisions. This is an opportunity for me to grow using strengths I have, but it is also showing my weaknesses. Pray for my wisdom and leadership going forward.
