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Nick Schuetze

#0552493

Welcome!

My name is Nick Schuetze and I'm a missionary to runners near and far.  I want to tell you about what God’s called me to & where & how I do this work.


Calling:

There was a time I had no idea what I’d do when I grew up.  For nine years I taught high-schoolers about physics, but that job didn't last because it only hit one major passion: helping people grow and develop.  If you know me, then you know of my love of endurance sports, especially running.  And over all I absolutely love Jesus and want others to know Him too.

In 2015 God helped me see that I could incorporate my three main passions (people development, faith, & endurance sports) for ministry to runners by joining Athletes in Action Track & Field (AIA: sports-specific ministry of Cru).  At AIA we want everyone to know someone who truly follows Jesus, so we build spiritual movements everywhere using sport as an initial foundation for relationships.

I love getting to work with athletes and pointing them to Jesus.  I work to win athletes to Christ, build them up in their faith, and send them out equipped to be life-long ministers of the gospel.  What I do is unique: I don’t know of anyone seeking runners for Christ in a full-time position.   Being a missionary to runners, what I do isn’t tied to a location.
Look at the scope and awesomeness of this ministry:


Ministry: Where and What

Colorado (Home base & primary ministry location):
Since 2016 I have been involved with the men’s XC and men’s Track & Field teams at UCCS.  I've had a variety of roles and to most I'm "Coach" or "Shoots".  I help young men learn about life, running, and Jesus through persistent interactions with them at practice, meals, meets, travel, teaching practical lessons, and more.  I invite them to grow and learn about Jesus through bible study & discipleship.  I want them to know the one who made them and find ultimate satisfaction in Him, something sport can never give.  There's nothing quite like being there when someone gives their life to Jesus!

Around the USA:
Weekly Coaches Call:  I meet coaches and athletes from all over.  In 2020 AIA Track & Field began a 1 hour zoom call to pour into track and field coaches from around the country.  They are the men and women pouring into their teams and we saw an opportunity to pour into them.  It is a time of connection, Bible study, and prayer.  What comes from is it encouragement, relationships, and strength & wisdom from God for the week ahead.  If you or someone else wants to be involved, please contact me (info below).

US Events:  There are runners everywhere, so there are plenty of places to sow the seeds of the Kingdom.  Each year God takes me to a few different places.  I have done athlete and coaches chapels and/or been a sports chaplain at races & events all around the US. 
  • Sometimes it’s the US Track Championships/Olympic Trials as a chaplain, coach, volunteer, etc.
  • Each December at the week-long USTFCCCA Coaches Convention I team up with a few other AIA T&F staff to meet athletes and coaches in our sport, leading a chapel and inviting them to join us on projects and trips around the country.  
  • For 15 years I was involved with the Altitude Project, a ministry focused on discipling collegiate runners for Christ.


Around the World:
Each summer AIA T&F sends athletes domestically and around the world to minister to others and grow in their faith. I've worked in more countries now than I would have ever expected.  Besides going to races and championships, some notable experiences have been in Estonia, Kenya, Togo, and Cameroon.  

Estonia (NE Europe) is a small country on the Baltic Sea where wonderful people live.  Tiidrek Nurme is their best Marathon runner & a great friend of mine.  Tiidrek is quite accomplished (Olympics, World Championships, and SO much more) But more than that He loves the LORD dearly and wants his country to know Jesus.  I've been with Tiidrek in at least 5 countries.  He's funny, motivated, and passionate.  I love getting to minister with him.

Isn’t it incredible, the variety and scope of all of this?  Just like running a great race, I can’t do this well by myself.  I first need the LORD.  And second, I need people like you.  You can be a part of God’s work transforming the lives of athletes by investing in this ministry.  How?  Prayers, financial support, & your presence.

Consider: How might you join in this ministry?  
Prayer: Athletes, coaches, and everyone connected to them need someone to pray for them.  Please pray for me and my efforts.  
Giving: Please invest in God’s work through me with your financial and social and emotional support so I can keep going.  
Presence: Consider coming along with me on a trip or to an event.  
Who knows the multiplying effect of your investment in God’s Kingdom.

Contact me with your questions, comments, great chats, or anything else.
+1 (503) 914-7799 (Calls preferred, texts are cool too)

My wife (Laurel) and I currently live in Denver.  We are expecting our first child, a boy, near the beginning of October. Laurel's 2 kids, Sarah and Elliott are joys to us and we fight for their good everyday.  

Website: https://athletesinaction.org/track-and-field/

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