Tommy dreamed of playing professional football. But he needed a place to train. So one summer he left his home country of Canada and traveled to the Athletes in Action® Sports Complex in Xenia, Ohio. 

As Tommy began his training, he also had opportunities to hear about Jesus. He was intrigued and wanted to know more. “In Quebec, it’s kind of frowned upon when you speak about religion,” he shared. 

Tommy was impressed with the AIA mission to build the “Total Athlete” — the mental, physical and spiritual dimensions of a person. He joined an AIA Bible study and went to church with the staff team. For the first time, he felt the freedom to explore what it truly means to be a Christian. 

After several months, Tommy made the decision to follow Jesus. Today, he’s using all he learned through physical training and spiritual discipleship to impact others on his professional football team in Mexico. 

“I’m not going to be someone who walks on water,” he shared. “But I want to be someone who walks the earth and inspires others to believe in God, to believe in themselves, and have a positive impact.”  

This is the kind of impact your prayers can have on athletes. More lives, families and communities are impacted when one athlete comes to know Jesus. That is why prayer is vital this summer!