Doug, a recreational director at a church in Texas, was recently interviewed by the SportsPlus staff on his experience in missions. His first project with SportsPlus was on a basketball team to Cape Town, South Africa in 2005. He led a team to Uruguay the following summer.

Doug is currently praying about several of our 2008 summer projects that are basketball-related, including Slovenia, Honduras, and the Pacific Rim.



SportsPlus: How has God used your time overseas to change your attitude and perspective in your everyday life in the States?

Doug: My missions experience has given me a greater eternal perspective and appreciation for the things I see in life. After each trip I come back so thankful for the things we take for granted here in America. I also find myself debating more when I make purchases. Is this something I really need…or something I just want to have? It is so difficult to come back from a trip and listen to the things people in America complain about in conversations.

SportsPlus: What is one thing that you will always remember about your last mission project with SportsPlus?

Doug: Well, the great thing about SportsPlus projects is that you usually come back with more stories than you can tell. I have had the privilege to travel to Cape Town, South Africa and Melo, Uruguay. Both trips were an amazing experience.

One of the greatest lessons that God taught me from my project to Uruguay is that He is sovereign. The day before I was leaving for training camp in Atlanta, my mother was placed in the hospital. My mom has, and will always have, a life-long battle with Lupus. I spent that last night struggling with where God wanted me. This is where I had to place total control of ALL my circumstances in my Fathers hands. I knew He had called me to serve in Uruguay and I knew He could take better care of my mother and family than I ever could. So through much prayer I boarded my plane to Atlanta that next morning trusting that God was in total control.

[Talking to potential mission volunteers]: “You may be praying about a trip or feel called to go somewhere with missions and are unsure of where God is directing you. That is when we must cast all our fears and doubts aside and know that He is Lord…not worrying about school, family, money, etc. He is our provider and that should be enough to sustain us. If we allow ourselves to be placed in a situation where we are fully relying on faith, He will use us in ways we never imagined. That is what is great about our God. We can’t even begin to imagine the plan He has for our life until we learn to trust Him completely in every situation and allow Him to lead us.”

SportsPlus: What value did you find in the SportsPlus training camp before your projects?

Doug: SportsPlus training camp is a time of spiritual renewal, growth, encouragement, and focus. It also provides you with a great opportunity to grow together as a team. They [the SportsPlus staff] are completely focused on training and preparing volunteers for the mission field. I always say that when I come to a training camp I always feel like I am coming home to family. The staff’s heart is focused on reaching people everywhere for Christ and equipping whoever it takes to do it.

SportsPlus: Why do you believe more Americans do not “get” missions?

Doug: I really don’t think Americans truly understand missions. It is something you can’t fully grasp until you submerse yourself in it. We can look or read about something all day, but until you actually apply it and live it, it’s only then that you can really begin to understand God’s heart for the nations!