Welcome to Indiana University Athletes in Action
Meet the Noels
Our Calling
In the summer of 2009, God called us out of the professional workplace and into full-time, self-supported ministry with Campus Crusade for Christ, Athletes in Action. We are missionaries who have the awesome privilege of serving the coaches and athletes of Indiana University through Athletes in Action. Our desire is to share with them the hope of a life with Jesus Christ and send them out as Christ-centered laborers and influencers to change the world.
Because of Brad's conversion to Christ in college and his experience as a collegiate athlete, God has uniquely positioned him to assist other college athletes in their spiritual walk in the midst of their chosen sport. Joni's background in education and lay-ministry to women at her local church have given her the experiences necessary to provide encouragement and care to young people and those working with them in a staff family capacity.
How We Will Serve
Our ministry with Athletes in Action will be focused on the college campus. This means we will serve on the campus of Indiana University in Bloomington, IN .
The vision God has given us to work with athletes on the campus can be summed up in one sentence: "We want to be a part of building spiritual movements through the platform of sport, so that on whatever campus we are on, every athlete, administrator, coach, and trainer knows someone who truly follows Jesus Christ." We feel that if this happens that the athletic department will be changed ... and because athletes are followed, doing good or bad, that the rest of the campus will be changed too.
When we talk about someone who truly follows Jesus Christ we are talking about someone who is different. Someone who treats their teammates with respect, yet challenges them to use the talents they've been given to work as hard and as best they can. They treat their coaches and opponents differently. They care about how they compete because how they compete is a reflection of their heart and ultimately, a reflection of God. We firmly believe that Christian athletes should be the hardest working, most compassionate, and have the most fun because their identity is in Christ alone and not what others say. This is what we mean by someone who truly follows Jesus Christ. There is something different about someone who acts and competes with the love of Christ in them.
Through large group meetings, small group Bible studies, one-on-one discipleship. and fellowship we will work diligently to point administrators, coaches, trainers and student-athletes to Christ. Our hope is that these athletic influencers can grow and mature in their personal relationship with Jesus Christ, then use their platform of sport to proclaim His truth to a world that so desperately needs to hear it.
How You Can Help
We can't do this alone! We need a committed team of individuals, families, and churches to come along side us both financially and prayerfully. We are obediently following God's calling in our lives to serve college athletes and their coaches. If you are interested in being on our team, check out our Support page. As always you can give us a call or email anytime if you have questions.
Chloe Joni Sophie Brad Avery
About AIA
(click here for more about AIA)
The Challenge - Who Will Influence The Influencers?
Every person worships something, and for many sports is that something. Over 60 million out of the over 6 billion people in the world are athletes, making the American athlete an American icon. This places athletes in a unique position of influence to lead other athletes and those that follow sports. They will go on to influence everything from law to media to classroom to government. God desires to change lives using athletes.
In one month, 96% of the US population will play, watch, or read about sports at least once. Because of such a strong following, athletes and athletics strongly impact our lives. Many times we watch these sports stars fall from glory, all the while watching our youth idolize these sometimes faithless role models. Unfortunately, our society has placed these athletes on a pedestal to live out their lives. A society looking up to these athletes as heroes must find these heroes looking up to God.
What is Athletes in Action?
Since 1966, Athletes in Action has been a global pioneer, innovator, and servant leader in sports ministry. As a branch of Campus Crusade for Christ, AIA exists to change lives by building spiritual movements everywhere through the platform of sport: on the field, in the locker room and under the stadium lights. By speaking the language of sport - a language that breaks barriers, transcends differences, and is understood by all - Athletes in Action brings Jesus and His message of victory into the hearts, homes and communities of millions around the world.
Countless volunteers, thousands of athletes and more than 500 staff members comprise AIAs presence in 75 countries, on nearly 125 U.S. college campuses, and on 35 U.S. professional sports teams all stand together to share one message: Life's greatest victory is found in a relationship with Jesus Christ.
Athletes in Action's Mission Statement
"Athletes in Action exists to build spiritual movements everywhere through the platform of sport so that everyone knows someone who truly follows Jesus Christ."
We firmly believe that God has called us to minister to the athletic community by proclaiming the love and truth of Jesus Christ to those uniquely impacted by sports worldwide by winning, building, and sending athletic influencers.
Supporting the Noels
Who will influence the influencers?
God has called us into the mission field at IU and it is our priviledge to invite you to partner with us to reach coaches and athletes at Indiana University with the love of Jesus.
Like all Campus Crusade for Christ staff members, we must raise all of our financial support and must maintain healthy support while in the field. Our support covers ministry expenses, salary, and benefits. As a result, it is our privilege to trust God to maintain our ministry partner team. Would you prayerfully consider partnering with us as a prayer warrior and financial partner? We need a team of partners to give $100 a month or any other amount that God lays on your heart to support our ministry.
In return, our commitment is 3-fold
* Work diligently to touch lives for Christ
* Share regularly how God is blessing our ministry
* Lift each other up in prayer
Giving Options:
(All gifts are tax-deductible)
Option 1: Online giving (by Electronic Fund Transfer or Credit Card):
Click here to give online right now!
Option 2: Personal Check
Personal Check made payable to Campus Crusade for Christ. Include an enclosed note stating. "Please designate this to Brad and Joni Noel, account number 0625863."
Mail to:
Campus Crusade for Christ
Attn: Contributions
PO Box 628222
Orlando, FL 32862-8222
Option 3: Call Campus Crusade for Christ
1-888-278-7233
Sophie
Avery
Chloe
support
Newsletter
online newsletter coming soon!
newsletter
Web resources:
Athletes in Action
Tim Tebow (Florida Gator Quarterback)
Sam Bradford (Oklahoma Sooner Quarterback)
Colt McCoy (Texas Longhorn Quarterback)
Tim Howard (US Soccer World Cup Gaolie)
Kaka (Brazil Soccer World Cup Midfielder)
John Wooden (UCLA Bruins Basketball Coach)
resources
Contact Information:
Brad and Joni Noel
4018 Crane Ct.
Bloomington, IN 47403
(812) 320.8754
CCC Account number #0625863
Please fill out the contact form
and we'll get back to you asap!
contact
IUAIA
bloomington
