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Doors keep opening for Indiana-based SportQuest Ministries. Several
upcoming and exciting opportunities are on the horizon and we want to
share this information with you. As we continue to form our future
plans and update you on ministry progress, we will provide it to you in
our new monthly e-mail newsletter.
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Website
www.sportquest.org
Address
P.O. Box 53433
Indianapolis, IN 46253
Tele
317/270/9495
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 In Geraardsbergen, Belgium,
a former 11th Century Abbey overlooks the city.
It is here, early every morning, I would make the short trek from the
church to this amazing and beautiful setting.
Finding the highest point, glaring through the tall pines, I watched the
sunrise and I lifted my hands and heart to the Lord. I worshiped, prayed and asked God to:
Heal my heart
and make it clean
Open up my eyes to the things unseen
Show me how to love like You have loved me
Break my heart for what breaks Yours
Everything I am for Your Kingdom's cause
As I walk from earth into eternity (Hillsong United) It was here that
God calmed my fears of the future and stirred the vision that He had placed
before me - a vision for a nation. I didn't find all
of the answers I was looking for but I found what He knew I needed, to be close
to my Heavenly Father, to be strengthened in my Spirit, and to see my life
through the lens of eternity. This
monthly newsletter is my attempt to share with you how God is using a broken
vessel for His purpose and to update you on the exciting and miraculous
developments through the ministry of SportQuest. Thank you for your prayers and support.
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| Upcoming Gigs |
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Sept. 19-22, 2008 - Raleigh, NC and Greensboro, NC, Harvest World Outreach Church
Sept. 21 - Lubbock, TX, CityView Fellowship
Sept. 23 - Lubbock, TX Trinity Christian High School
Sept. 24 - Abilene, TX - Beltway Church Youth
Sept. 24 - Abilene Christian University
Sept. - Fort Worth, TX - Southwest Christian High School
Sept. 28 - Abilene, TX - Beltway Park Church
Sept. 27-Oct. 6 - Ghent, Belgium, SportQuest National Leadership Meetings
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| A Heart To Encourage Belgium |
Recently returning from the 2008 summer trip to Belgium, SportQuest teams were able to work with two new churches; one in Kortrijk and one in Oudenaardo. In total, eleven churches partnered with SQ teams throughout Flanders (Northern Belgium).
SQ founder and director, Kent Susud, along with staff member Kris Patel, led a basketball team to the cities of Herentals and Geraardsbergen. Putting aside anything cozy and comforting, 15 Belgian teenagers from the church in Herentals slept in tents outside the SQ teams accommodations. Through rain and shine, these Belgian teenagers were hungry to spend quality time with the SQ athletes to talk about life and faith. "Our week together is the highlight of their year, an amazing opportunity for our SQ team to disciple and invest in the lives of Christian young people in Belgium." said Kent Susud.
Speaking about the youth in Belgium, several church leaders said, "SportQuest is the greatest leadership development tool they have in Belgium. There really are no leadership opportunities for the youth, especially in the church. SQ gives young people an opportunity to lead and to be mentored."
For the first time in Geraardsbergen, young people attending the SQ basketball clinic were invited to "hang out" at the church to have a casual conversation about faith. It was an opportunity for them to ask questions about God in a non-threatening way. 15 of the 40 youth attended, bringing with them many, many questions. After leading the youth in a simple and creative exercise, using paper and pen, Kent had them draw a picture of what they thought was on the "other side" when our time is up. Two hours later, Kent had answered questions about truth, other religions, the Bible's validity, sin, the person of Jesus, and eternity. "I couldn't believe how it all came together," said Susud. "We weaved our way through the entire Gospel and it was powerful." One young man in particular, a Belgian basketball player, was moved to ask several pointed questions about Jesus and eternity, and then ultimately he asked a significant question, which was to have his own Dutch Bible. Several others also asked for Bibles and many seeds were planted.
This summer SQ had 23 Belgian athletes join our American athletes for our ninth year of life changing sports ministry in Belgium. Please continue to pray for our work in Belgium. It is not easy but we must go to where God has called us to go. Johan, a church leader in Geraardsbergen, said it best when sharing the impact of SQ in Belgium, "I now believe in miracles, I have to believe. I have seen it in the lives of the youth who come into contact with SQ, their lives are changed forever."
We know that it is only by the grace of God that He is using SQ to turn the hearts of young people, to encourage the churches, to develop new leaders, and ultimately impact a nation. This is the vision for Belgium - that a nation of young people would turn their hearts to the King so that in these last days this generation of young people would not fail.
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| Sowing A Seed |
A leap of faith often times doesn't make sense in the natural. For SportQuest founder and Director Kent Susud and his wife Michelle, asking for money does not come easy. The Susud's know that God lead their family to Indianapolis this past year to establish SportQuest as its own non-profit organization but must now step out in faith even further. During these challenging times, Susud has sought God's word for the future of SQ and whether or not it can support Kent on a full-time basis. In order for Kent to continue with SQ full-time he and Michelle will have to raise their personal support in the amount of $4,800 a month. While in Belgium, overlooking a beautiful 11th century Abbey, Kent spent much time seeking the Lord in prayer about the future of SportQuest. Kent was reminded of God's faithfulness in the past and the vision that God has placed in his heart for Belgium. Kent is committed to SQ and will do what He is able based upon his level of support. Would you consider either joining Kent and Michelle's personal support team or supporting the ministries general budget with a one time or monthly donation?
For questions about making a donation to the ministry, please contact Kent Susud at 317-270-9495 or kent@sportquest.org
or mail your support to: SportQuest Ministries P.O. Box 53433 Indianapolis, IN 46253
* Please make checks payable to SportQuest Ministries
* All donations are tax-deductible
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| Our God Is Powerful |
Ten years ago, SportQuest ministries responded to a mandated mission by Jesus for all of us to go into the world and share the gospel. Driven by faith, Kent Susud, founder and director of the Indiana-based ministry, responded to the call placed on his heart to create a 501 (c) (3) non-profit in order to continue the great work God had begun in him and to carry it out until the end. SportQuest ministries, since 1998, has been able to draw athletes from the north, south, east and west of the United States to participate in a global evangelism effort to help local churches in foreign countries flourish on hallowed ground, and to disciple those who may not understand the depth of joy and life that comes with having a relationship with Jesus Christ. The evangelism outreach uses the gift of athletic ability God has given to young competitors, who are freshman in high school and up to college age, in order to help achieve the mission. Every step made by SportQuest ministries is led and influenced by God's direction, under the pretense that what is impossible with man is possible with God.
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Thank you for your continued support. Please feel free to join our mailing list by contacting Kent Susud at Kent@sportquest.org.
Blessings, SportQuest Ministries |
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