Mission, Vision & Values

why we're here

At Athletes in Action, we dream of a day when there are Christ-followers on every team, in every sport, in every nation.

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our mission

Brokenness exists in every area of life, including sport. But we believe there is a remedy to the brokenness of the world in the gospel of Jesus. 

Athletes experience brokenness both personally and as part of sport-culture. They also have unmatched influence in their communities and around the globe.   

Since 1966, we have been helping athletes experience the hope and purpose that comes from following Jesus, and equipping them to use their platform to be part of God’s mission in the world to make disciples of all nations.

By serving, training, and sending athletes as influencers into the world, we are building spiritual movements everywhere through the platform of sport so that everyone knows someone who truly follows Jesus.

OUR VALUES

Athletes in Action’s four values are: faith, oneness, growth, and fruitfulness, Our values are the way we go about achieving our objectives. They reflect what it means to be a good team player within our organization and the way we develop leaders. As part of the Cru® family of ministries, we share the same values. You can read more about values from Cru here.   
 
“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. … And without faith it is impossible to please [God] ...” (Hebrews 11:1,6, ESV).

FAITH

Living this out means that we, as an organization, aim to keep our focus on God and not on ourselves. Because Jesus said “… for apart from Me you can do nothing” (John 15:5, ESV), we depend on His Spirit moment by moment, yielding to Him as He instructs, abiding in Him and seeking to maintain a wholehearted devotion to Him.

"We are one, I in them and You in Me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that You sent Me and loved them even as You loved Me.” (John 17:23, ESV)

Oneness

When we together live out the model of oneness displayed by Jesus, our unity makes a compelling case for our gospel mission to the world. The results we witness include a cultivation of humility, the building of diverse relationships, and a practice of championing the voices of others.

“Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ” (Colossians 1:28, ESV).

Growth

We are committed to the maturity of the people God has entrusted to us. This challenges us to develop multiplying leaders who care for people. We focus our efforts on discipleship — both in ourselves and in others — pursuing character change rather than simply completing a training program. This value refers to not only individual growth, but also our collective growth.

“... Whoever abides in Me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit … but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide ...” (John 15:5,16, ESV).

Fruitfulness

Fruitfulness means that, as an organization, we are willing to examine the results of our efforts. We look for people to come to Christ, to be changing into conformity with Christ, and to take His message to the world. It drives us to focus on not just our activity, but also our effectiveness. We strive to be good stewards of what the Lord has entrusted to us. 

our leaders

Meet our Board of Trustees and Executive Team.

make a gift today

By serving more than 60 countries, on over 200 college campuses, in 50 professional sports teams, our ultimate goal is to see Christ-followers on every team, in every sport, in every nation.

Would you consider a gift to Athletes in Action, so that athletes across the globe can know the life-changing power of Jesus?

Your gift will help ensure that every team, in every sport, in every country has at least one member who truly follows Christ.

When you reach athletes, you reach the world.

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