Volunteer State News

Written by: Chris Klotz

I am beyond thrilled and thankful to God to be writing this story! After a pandemic-long hiatus of almost three years, tomorrow we will set out on our first international mission trip since 2020. THANK YOU JESUS!!! 

 

From Jan. 2-8, a group of 10 student-athletes from various Lipscomb athletic teams, along with Grace Oetting, assistant cross country coach, and myself, will head to Baja, Mexico to serve alongside our long-time trusted partner Baja Missions. 

 

As we set our hearts and minds on God and all He has in store for our team this next week abroad, I cannot help but reflect on the past three years and how The Lord has been at work throughout it all.

 

I remember it like it was yesterday - March 2020, the day before our cross-country team was set to serve locally in Nashville as part of Lipscomb Athletic Missions' Spring Break mission trip. I vividly remember driving to Costco with a student-leader to load up on food, and as we pulled into the parking lot, we decided then and there that maybe we should wait another day to purchase all of the food in hopes we may learn more about this "COVID" thing.  Sure enough, that next day, the world hit the pause button, only to be resumed several years later.

 

One very evident gift of the pandemic was the opportunity it allowed Lipscomb Athletic Missions to serve not only in our own city, but also within our own community of Lipscomb Athletics and everyone connected. We have learned so much, and will continue to make a lifestyle of serving others the goal, no matter the location. 

 

And while there have been great lessons learned, we have also greatly missed our host partners as well as the opportunities to learn from our brothers and sister's all over the world and experience the Lord in different cultures. 

 

What started with nine student-athletes serving in Honduras in 2012; has turned into 10 years of significant global ministry that God has used to change the culture of the athletic department at Lipscomb University. Athletic Mission trips have become a catalyst to every aspect of ministry within the department.

 

Athletic Missions at Lipscomb has mobilized 49 teams and 752 student-athletes and coaches on the mission field, and we are THRILLED to once again be sent into the world to experience what God is doing in the global church. I couldn't be more excited for our student-athletes to learn from our incredible host partners and to allow God to open their eyes and hearts to know Him more and to make Him known.

 

By the grace of God, we will have six mission trips this calendar year including:

• General Athletics- Mexico –January 2023- partnered with Baja Missions
• Women's Soccer- El Salvador- March 2023- partnered with Sports Outreach Institute
• General Athletics- Nashville- March 2023- partnered with Project 658 Nashville
• Volleyball- Mexico- May 2023- partnered with Baja Missions
• Softball- Mexico- July 2023- partnered with Baja Missions
• Women's Golf- Scotland- August 2023- Partnered with Andrew and Jill Mitchell

Tomorrow, as we head to Baja, Mexico, we are boldly and prayerfully expecting God to move in mighty ways, and we are so grateful for the opportunity to partner with what God is doing in Baja.

 

Thank you to everyone who is a part of this trip, and for your generosity in prayer and financial giving that has made this week possible. We are so grateful for you! 

 

Please follow along, as the team will post daily updates at www.lipscombsports.com.

 

For more information about Lipscomb Athletics Spiritual Formation, Athletic Missions, or ways to get involved, please reach out to Chris Klotz at Cpklotz@lipscomb.edu.

 

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! I am praying that this year is filled with love, hope, joy and peace for you and your family! 

Original source can be found here