ATHLETES FOR THE NATIONS (AFTN)

"Go therefore, and make disciples of ALL NATIONS"...Matthew 28:19


MISSION:
"To impart athletes with the vision of not only achieving a successful career, but transforming their success into living a life of significance"

VISION:
It is AFTN's vision to instill athletes with a bigger purpose by shifting their focus from being "successful" to being SIGNIFICANT. Many people can achieve a successful life, but the real question is "Are you living a life of significance." Are you making a difference in the lives of others? Are you living out the 2nd greatest commandment by loving your neighbor as yourself? AFTN will inspire athletes to transform their success into opportunities to make an impact difference; not only in their community, but in their world as well.

HOW:
We have learned first hand that there is nothing more powerful than GOING & SEEING the NATIONS: Experiencing the suffering, poverty, and plight of people all over the world, first hand. Not just in a picture or on the television. Every sense must be engaged:
  Athletes Foundations

YOU MUST:
  • SEE IT- see the AIDS baby lying there, wasting away from starvation, while her mother sits by
                    hopelessly; unable to save her dying child. SEE the muddy streets, the kids wearing ripped, dirty
                    clothing, the people who would do anything, just for a meal.

  • SMELL IT- smell the garbage where the children find their food, or the stench from the toilets
                    that don't flush; overflowing into the streets, yards, and places where people live.

  • HEAR IT- hear the cry of the widow & orphan who fall asleep on the cold hard ground at night,
                    longing for the one who used to comfort them; hear the mother who grieves for her last living
                    child that is on the brink of death.

  • TASTE IT- taste the foods that are sometimes hard to swallow, bitter to the taste, rotten, or stale.

  • FEEL IT- feel the cold of no shelter, the pain of death, the loneliness of an orphaned child,
                    the hunger pangs of the starving, the dirtiness from the lack of a shower.

  • Because once you do, YOU WILL NEVER BE THE SAME and it will transform the vision and purposes of your life into something greater than just living the "American Dream" but instead to use the platform you have been given for His kingdom. AFTN will be coordinating "mission trips" to go to the hard places and to help those in need. We will be putting together teams of athletes who are willing to give up approx. 7-10 days of their time to go and serve.

    The trip itinerary will include:
  • Visits to Local Orphanages
  • Visits to a refugee/IDP camp: we will bring relief (food, supplies, medical attention) and His
                    hope to those living in the most unbearable conditions
  • Visiting children's hospitals
  • Hosting a sports camp for kids in some of the villages
  • Going wherever else the Lord directs us

  • We believe this will only be the first step in an even larger mission to not only send athletes, but to send ANYONE willing to go. If you are interested in GOING to the nations, or just have some questions please let us know. If you have any contact with college/ professional athletes in any sport please let them know about AFTN. We will begin to coordinate trips to "GO" and will have a trip set up before the end of 2010.

    There is no better way to "love you neighbor as yourself" than to go to the orphaned, poor and needy and extend His mercy, compassion and love to them. There is no better way for a professional athlete to escape the trappings of Success than to go, see, and serve. Now that is living a life of significance...