Missionary Athletes International

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Missionary Athletes International

The vision for using soccer to reach a lost world led to the inception of MAI by Tim Conrad in La Habra, California in 1983.

Missionary Athletes International (MAI) is a Gospel-centered ministry that introduces people to Jesus Christ, teaches them to follow Him, and empowers them as leaders through the global environment of soccer. The fall of 1986 brought Dave Irby to MAI as its first full time staff member. In the fall of 1987, six other men joined MAI’s staff. That growth in personnel and programs has continued stead

ily since. MAI became a charter member of the International Sports Coalition in 1985 and has been a member with the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability since 1989. The fall of 1990 brought the opening of MAI’s first divisional ministry office outside of the Los Angeles area. This office was headed by Jon and Ruthie Ortlip in the town of Bolton Northern England. In 1991, Brian and Chris Davidson opened MAI’s third ministry office in Charlotte, North Carolina. MAI’s fourth ministry location, the Czech Republic, was opened in 1993, led by Bill and Lisa Galipault. The fifth office opened under the leadership of Rick and Janice McKinley during 1997 in Wheaton, IL. In the late 90’s, MAI’s office in England became an independent organization under “Ambassadors in Sports.”

Today, MAI has three office locations in the United States, two of which also house MAI headquarters functions. Executive functions are located in Charlotte, North Carolina and Mission Support Services in La Mirada, California. Ministry sites include La Mirada, California; Charlotte, North Carolina; and Chicago, Illinois with additional ministry programs occurring in other states. MAI’s main methods of evangelism and discipleship have been the organizing of soccer teams, conducting soccer camps and taking short-term soccer tours overseas. These programs are augmented by other ministries, including: clinics, school programs, prison and inner city ministries; training leaders to be sports ministers and sending them out to partner with other Christian agencies. We thank the Lord for His blessings in allowing us to grow from a few summer soccer camps, one international tour and a men’s amateur team thirty years ago to impact the lives of thousands of people each year through multi-faceted, year-round ministries that comprise MAI today.

09/02/2026

We get to use soccer to introduce people to Jesus.

It’s simple, but it changes everything.

08/28/2026

Because of supporters like you, players are hearing the Gospel and being mentored in their faith journey every day.

Your generosity helps equip coaches, support teams, and create opportunities to introduce players, families, and communities to Jesus.

Thank you for partnering with us and being part of what God is doing through sport.

08/27/2026

During MAI's recent trip to the Marereni region in Kenya, we worked alongside our partner ministry, Sports Friends.

Connecting with 37 churches, we trained and equipped coaches to use sports as a platform to share the Gospel and help transform the hearts of the players they serve.

We’re grateful for the coaches, churches, and leaders who welcomed us and are committed to using sports to make an eternal impact in their communities.

Please join us in celebrating what God is doing in Kenya and pray for the continued impact of this ongoing partnership!

08/19/2026

From Player to Coach - Sports ministry at work

In eighth grade, Dati’s brother brought him to a Chicago Eagles soccer practice. That practice became the beginning of a life-changing journey with Jesus.

Over the years, Dati grew in his faith, character, and leadership. Last summer he participated in our Chicago’s Youth Tour last summer, and now serves as an Eagles coach—investing in young players from the same community he came from.

He’s taking his faith beyond the field. Dati recently started a Bible study with current players and former teammates, creating a space for others to grow in God’s Word.

The player who was once poured into is now pouring into others.

This is the impact we pray for through sports ministry: disciples who become disciple-makers.

Praise God for Dati and the ways He is multiplying the seeds that were planted years ago.

“My word... will not return to me empty.” — Isaiah 55:11

08/14/2026

This LDP trip to Honduras is the answer to many prayers over the years.

It's a blessing to have seen it come to fruition, and we're thankful for everyone who supported us through financial donations and prayers to make it possible for us to go.

Our team returned changed and encouraged by the ministry happening in Cacao and at Vida Christian Academy.

07/01/2026

Our ministry partner, COSDECOL was featured in Christianity Today! COSDECOL’s ministry is evidence that soccer is a powerful tool to bring people to the Lord! Medellín, Colombia was once a city defined by cartel violence. See how the Lord is using the game of soccer to transform lives in powerful ways. Read the full story at the link in our bio.

06/24/2026

Charlotte Eagles encouraged me that through faith, God can direct any path— growing up as a troubled kid ruled by anger and pride, I was headed nowhere good, until Jesus opened my eyes and changed my hear.

Join us in praying for Steven as he prepares for this mission trip and all that God has planned for him.

If you'd like to support Steven and the team heading to Honduras this summer, you can donate through the link in our bio.

06/23/2026

A week from now, our LDP team will be in Honduras.

We'll be sharing the Gospel through the game of soccer.

We've raised 70%, but we still need $9,000 to hit our $30,000 goal.

If you'd like to be part of this mission, the donation link is in our bio.

06/19/2026

She has seen how impossible it would be to face such darkness without the hope found in Christ.

Now, Par Tha Lang is preparing for the opportunity to serve in Honduras, where she hopes to carry that same light and share the Gospel's message of peace and redemption with others.

While she knows this trip will bring new experiences and challenges, Par Tha Lang is excited to follow where God is leading and use this opportunity to serve.

Join us in praying for Par Tha Lang as she prepares for this mission trip and all that God has planned for her.

If you'd like to support Par Tha Lang and the team heading to Honduras this summer, you can donate through the link in our bio.

06/17/2026

Through his time in the Leadership Development Program, Andrew has grown in his faith and developed a deeper understanding of the Gospel that once changed his life. Now, Andrew is preparing for the opportunity to serve in Honduras, where he hopes to share that same Gospel through both his testimony and the game of soccer. While he knows this trip will bring new experiences and challenges, Andrew is excited to follow where God is leading and use this opportunity to serve others.
Join us in praying for Andrew as he prepares for this mission trip and all that God has planned for him.
If you'd like to support Andrew and the team heading to Honduras this summer, you can donate through the link in our bio.

Address

9303 Monroe Road, Suite L
Matthews, NC
28270

Website

http://www.maisoccer.com/, https://coachesonmission.com/, https://www.facebook.com/share/18ZUV4wFoH/?mibextid=wwXIfr, ht

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