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Grooming Christ Like Athletes

May 16, 2023

In 2023, forty-five young basketball players from different high schools went to the United States of America to gain exposure in international basketball. 

This was made possible through the partnerships that one of our tools, Athletes in Action (AIA), has established with high schools in Harare. These partnerships enable these young players to be exposed to the gospel throughout Bible studies and devotionals. AIA also introduced Audience of One to the players: a lifestyle of living for God, playing for Him, and giving Him the glory, whether in a state of winning or losing. 

"We identified young boys who have great potential in basketball to go to the USA. The benefits of such an opportunity were numerous. Still, one of the key benefits was that they would be exposed to international basketball as the USA is the heart and home of basketball," said AIA representative Xavier Bwanya. He believes that the training they were sent through, the facilities they were exposed to, and the games they played will make them better players. 

Rugare Mukumba, one of the parents, said, "I would like to thank Life Ministry Zimbabwe, for this has been the best part of my son's basketball career. I am so grateful that we had this wonderful opportunity to explore the USA." 

One of the boys, Mukundi Dube of St. Johns, had this to say;  

"The stay at the Athletes in Action centre was phenomenal. Each day brought a surprise, and that surprise was better than the last. I certainly won't forget my stay there, and I am thankful to everyone who contributed to me being at AIA for 10 days. As I continue my well-guided walk in Christ, I seek to display the same level of kindness, love, patience, and comradeship that I have experienced in Xenia, USA." 

Among the 45 boys, 20 of them made a decision to follow Christ. 

AIA is a tool under Leader Strategy that has a mandate of making athletes grow in all dimensions and integrate their faith and sport to become Christ-followers who are not only concerned about the outcome of winning or losing but of pointing others to Christ. 

 

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