• Vision, Mission & Strategy
  
• Focus & Distinctives
  
• History
  
• Team
  

As sports ministry leaders, we love the concept of a sports team when describing our approach to leadership. Think of the great sports teams you have known. What makes such teams great?

• A common vision and a shared commitment to achieve that vision.
• Skilled and experienced players at each position, with each player understanding and playing his assigned role.
• Selfless attitudes – putting team goals ahead of personal goals.
• A certain ‘esprit de corps’ – a unique spirit that inspires enthusiasm and devotion.
• A great coach.

These are the same characteristics we are seeking to recruit and develop in our Sports Friends leadership teams around the world. We are not interested in big titles and personal recognition, but in participating as a unified team in God’s redemptive work among the nations. We also believe serving on God’s team at Sports Friends should be fun!

We thank God for the people He is bringing to be a part of our Sports Friends leadership teams. Our current teams have over 100 years of cumulative experience in sports ministry, over 175 years of experience in missions and church planting, over 50 years of experience in camping, and over 50 years of experience in administrative leadership. God is still adding to and building each of our regional teams (check out Service Openings for a list of current team needs). For security reasons, we have only used first names in describing our teams below.

Berhanu, Ephraim, Girma, Seleshi, Essete, Habtamu, Abey, Frewoyne, Jake, Sarah, Shane, and Allyson are located in Ethiopia and lead our regional efforts in East Africa. They are a great team with significant experience in sports ministry, camping, missions and church planting. They provide leadership and support to over 2,500 sports ministers working in this region of Africa. Sports Friends began its ministry in East Africa in 2002.

Kyle, Ann, Chris, Stacey, John, jamimah, Soloman, and Daniel are located in Nigeria and lead our regional efforts in West Africa. This team was assembled on the field in early 2007 after years of preparation and training. They are already working with several large denominations and have trained several hundred local sports ministry leaders.

Graham, Lori, Jill, KG, Christina, Waranon, and Mingkwan will lead our initial efforts in Asia. This team moved to our regional base in SE Asia in summer 2008.

Brian, Chris, Tripp, Alison, Danny, Carmen, Kristin, and Jennifer provide overall leadership and support to the Sports Friends ministry around the world. A significant focus of this group is the mobilization of people, churches and foundations to get involved in God’s work of missions in Africa, Asia and Latin America.

Sports Friends Board of Advisors

The Sports Friends Board of Advisors was formed in 2007 to provide advice to our leadership team and to assist in various mobilization efforts. This Board currently consists of: