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Matthew and Emily Oberlin
#1208591
Dear Family and Friends,
It all began with a phone call in October of 2022. That phone call led to months of interviews for a salaried job at Athletes in Action. We thought it was what God wanted for us. It was perfect timing. A great position that Matt would excel at. It was right before the twins would start kindergarten, less work hours for Matt, and it wouldn’t require a strenuous, cross country, move. Matt stepped onto the campus and immediately felt called as if that were home. And then? We didn’t get the job. We really struggled with that. Our hearts were hardened. We thought God was leading us to a fantastic Christian organization that our family could help serve and in the end it was a massive disappointment. We cried and we moved on, hopeful that God would lead us to a job where we could set permanent roots. Fast-forward to a random Friday night in August of 2023 and Matt received a phone call from Athletes in Action. They had a job for him. One that would encapsulate all three of his greatest passions: Faith, Family, and Football.
Athletes in Action is a ministry of Cru and our mission is to have a Christ follower on every team in every sport in everynation. Our family will be coming on staff with AIA with Matt becoming Director of Global Football Ministry, overseeing all aspects of the football ministry in the United States and beyond. Reaching over 70 countries, AIA Football launched in 2012 and provides ministry to coaches and players from the high school level to professional, developing leaders on and off the field. The football locker room and culture can be one of the most unholy places on the planet. It is part of our personal mission to bring Christ into the locker room and onto the field, building up athletes and supporting them from the time they are youth all the way to their journey into professional football. We are ecstatic to have this unique opportunity to share God’s word in a sport that desperately needs it.
We are looking for partners on this journey. In Matthew 28:19 Jesus charges us with the Great Commission, “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you”. We, as believers, can participate in the Great Commission in one of three ways: pray, send, or go. Our family is being called to go. We are looking for those who feel called to help us complete this mission by either praying for or sending our family. Cru has no central funds for paying salaries and ministry expenses. Therefore, it depends on the consistent support of passionate individuals and churches to fund this mission.
With that said, would you prayerfully consider joining our team at $100/month or some other amount that is significant for you? The ministry support raising is off to a great start, but we still have a long journey ahead; we cannot complete this ministry without you. Our ministry partners are more than donors and supporters. You are friends, you are family. We wish to partner with you, pray for you, and serve you. Would you also pray for our family as we go where the Lord has called us? Together we can reach every team in every nation.
With Love,
Matt and Emily Oberlin
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