Imago Dei

Andres Tortola

About me

My name is Andres Tortola. I was born and raised in Guatemala. I am married to Jamie Tortola, and we have two kids: Lucy and Sebastian. In 2017 I got an international scholarship to study Counseling at Clarks Summit University in Pennsylvania, and that’s when I moved to the United States. I graduated in 2019 and have been pursuing a career in coaching since.

How & why I became a MAI Missionary

In a moment of uncertainty about our careers and purpose in life, we had shared our concern to a dear group of friends that led us to contact Imago Dei Soccer. I am passionate for soccer and how it can be used as a tool to reach others for Christ, and my wife is a Sports Ministry major with the heart of a leader and also a servant. Ever since we met we wanted to be instruments that God used to pour into other people’s lives, and for a couple of years we struggled finding what that purpose was. When we heard about the work Imago Dei Soccer is doing, our hearts lit up and we knew God was calling us to serve through this ministry.

Benji Omungu

About me:

My name is Benji Omungu and I live in North Carolina. I’ve been playing soccer for almost my entire life across many levels: club, high school, college, semi pro and professionally. Above all, I love Jesus and telling others about Him. It’s even more enjoyable when the sport I love can be the vehicle by which I can tell people about the One who is love!

How and why I became a MAI Missionary:

Sports ministry has always been a passion of mine. I’ve also been involved with MAI since I started training with Imago Dei back in 2007. I’ve also played with the Chicago Eagles and had involvement with the Charlotte Eagles. After playing in college and overseas for a bit, I came back to NC and connected with a good friend of mine, Carter Robbins. After much prayer and consideration, the Lord led me to serve in sports ministry with Imago Dei!

Carter & Rachel Robbins

About me

I grew up in High Point, NC and attended Wesleyan Christian Academy, earning awards such as All-Conference, All-Region, and All-State. During Middle and High School, I participated in and coached Imago Dei sessions. I continued to play at a high level at powerhouse Messiah College and was blessed to earn several awards: 3 time All-Conference, 2 time Conference Defensive Player of the Year, 3 time All-Region, 2 time National Champion, 2 time NCAA All-American, and 3 time D3 Soccer All-American. During my collegiate summers I spent time playing and working for the King’s Warriors Soccer Club of the PDL (semi-professional). I have also spent a few summers running the Wesleyan Soccer Camp and helping with pre-season and have served on the Wesleyan Varsity Boys Coaching Staff. I was invited to preseason with a few professional teams, but my passion for sports ministry and coaching drew me away from those opportunities and to Imago Dei.

How & why I became a MAI Missionary             

I grew up around the Charlotte Eagles through youth tours and being involved in the Urban Eagles. Through these opportunities, I fell in love with sports ministry. My passion for ministry led me to study Cross Cultural Ministry in college and to currently pursue full time ministry. I have always loved what the Charlotte Eagles do, but I felt called to the High Point area. I am honored to be apart of God’s work through MAI and Imago Dei Soccer Academy in High Point, NC.

Chris Kabrich

About me:

你好. Hola. สวัสดี. Salut. היי. Habari. أهلاً. Hi! My name is Chris Kabrich. I have a beautiful wife named Martha and son named Judah and was born and raised right here in Greensboro, NC. Growing up, sports were a big part of my life. I always loved the competition and team camaraderie and, later on, learned to love how much sports taught me about life, specifically my spiritual walk with Jesus. It was at Wesleyan Christian Academy in High Point, NC where God radically changed me, and I began following Him. Upon graduating in 2012, I went on to study Civil Engineering at NC State to which you’re now probably asking “So why sports ministry?” Well, long story. Let’s grab coffee or some yerba mate!! At State, God grew my faith a hundred fold and gave me many opportunities to go overseas on missions to places like China, Thailand, Israel, Jamaica, Kenya, and more. Whether it was through sharing the Gospel in a Malaysian temple or discipling students on Chinese college campuses, God gave me a passion to share His love with the world, help others grow in their faith, and then teach them to do the same. And what better way to do that than through sports…and specifically, soccer;)

How & why I became a MAI Missionary? 

Well, in the great words of Dani Rojas from the show Ted Lasso, “Fútbol is life!” While that might be Dani’s answer if he joined, mine has more to it as all of ours do. I became a MAI Missionary because I ultimately love Jesus and love sports! With soccer being the most popular sport in the world, I see it as an incredible tool to lead people to Jesus, build them up in their faith, and send them out to win, build, and send others. By playing sports all throughout my life and through the ministry experiences I had in college, God led me to this incredible ministry that is Missionary Athletes International, and my family and I couldn’t be more excited to put our yes on the table for whatever God has for us here.

Elijah Denton

About Me

My name is Elijah Denton. I am married to an awesome wife, Sarah, and I have three beautiful children: Andrew, Kyla, and Dax. We currently live in Greensboro, NC where we teach and coach. I came to know Christ during my collegiate years because of an extremely difficult time I was going through. Though they weren’t there at the time of my surrender to Jesus, I could hear the influential voices of my former coaches and teachers reminding me of God’s love for me. They had such an impact on my life and I hope I can do the same for those that I have the opportunity to come in contact with.

How & why I became a MAI Missionary?

I became an MAI missionary because it combines two passions in my life: sports (particularly soccer) and sharing Jesus with others. I want to use the platform of sports to open doors, build bridges, tear down walls, and forge relationships with others in hopes of sharing the love of Christ with them.

Zach Thompson

About me: 

My name is Zach Thompson, I am from Winston-Salem North Carolina where I fell in love with the beautiful game of soccer. I have two amazing parents and two loving brothers. It was through soccer that the gospel was presented to me by a Coach and I entered into the body of Christ. I attended Carolina University (Winston-Salem) where I would play soccer and will earn a degree in Biblical Studies. I am also currently working on Master of Arts in Ministry from Carolina University. This I am preparing to marry my beautiful fiancé Madison in May.

How and why I became a MAI missionary:

I became a MAI Missionary because this ministry has directly impacted my life. It was through Imago Dei that MAI Missionaries would point me to Christ using soccer as a tool. Ultimately because they faithfully poured into me I surrendered my life to Christ. I now see the same opportunity for me to pour into other kids’ lives using the tool of soccer to point them to the cross.