@powertochange:

Rewriting the Evangelism Rulebook

Written by Eric Reynolds

November 30, 2012

On November 20th at the University of Alberta, 40 varsity athletes from 9 different teams (Bears and Pandas represented) gathered in a lounge for dinner and a discussion.

The topic? Not as cut-and-dry as you might think.

“We’re trying something different,” says Roxanne Koop (Director of the AIA Edmonton Hub) regarding the panel discussion titled Story Behind The Athlete. “We had four panelists, two from AIA, and two not-yet Christians. They knew who we were and we very intentionally chose them because everyone has a story to share. We can learn from each other.”

Evangelism has traditionally been an “us-and-them” message, as opposed to a “we” conversation. The folks at of U of A are changing that norm. What desire lies behind this new strategy?

“Our intention and heart is to create deeper dialogue amongst athletes on campus. Athletes want to talk about deeper things, but few people are willing to start that conversation. It’s our hope that as they engage and dialogue, different things will come out.”

And it’s happening. Already, Christian athletes have engaged their teammates, motivated and rejuvenated by the poignant questions asked of the panel: “What is your motivation for sport? Is sport lacking? How do you integrate faith in sport?”

Roxanne and her U of A team (Isaac Lee, Becki Lee, Gabriel Yeung, and Rachel Bauer) meet with each team throughout the year and give them the opportunity to connect with AIA staff. Because of this, they’ve been able to establish relationships that led to the mixed panel, something that made the event quite dynamic.

“The conversation doesn’t always have to lead with faith,” says Roxanne, who is excited about the conversations that are now taking place through empowered and equipped Christian varsity athletes. Roxanne also celebrates how one athlete shared openly about her faith story, intertwined with sport through the ministry of AIA. “God has taught me who He is through sport,” she shared with the group.

The dinner and panel discussion were catalysts for ministry at U of A. “We want to help Christian athletes to engage, to see how easy it is to talk with their teammates about the deeper issues in sports and faith.”