SoCal Eagles

Bill & Lisa Galipault

About me

I have spent 44 years in sports ministry after my first soccer short term mission outreach in 1980. After coaching for seven years at Nyack (NY) College, Lisa and I joined MAl spending 5 years in the L.A. office followed by six years in the Czech Republic.
From 1999 to 2010 I worked with Fellowship of Christian Athletes Global Initiative and then as Pastor of Small Groups and Recreation at Rose Drive Friends Church in Yorba Linda, CA. I returned to MAl staff in L.A. in 2011 with a desire to focus on training the next generation of sports ministers. I am a Recorded Minister in the Friends Church Southwest and hold a Doctor of Ministry degree from Azusa Pacific University.
In addition to supporting me in ministry, Lisa is active in women’s ministry at church. We have been married for 41 years and have three grown daughters. One son-in-law and two grandchildren.

What brought me to MAI

I became a Christian at the age of 22 after graduating from college. Initially I was unsure how soccer (which I had played through college) fit with my new faith. A soccer outreach trip to Jamaica, Guatemala, and Trinidad in 1980 with Sports Ambassadors gave me a vision for living out my faith through the game I loved. While attending seminary I coached at Nyack College and took part of my team on a short term mission to Mexico during the 1986 World Cup. It was there that I met Tim Conrad and Dave Irby with newly formed Missionary Athletes International. Tim challenged Lisa and I to consider joining their staff. We saw how my background, experience and desire to minister fit with what they were doing and we joined staff in 1988.

Cody & Jennifer Snouffer

About me

Jen and I first participated in MAI as college students in the summer of 2009 through the Chicago Eagles Summer Academy. Both collegiate soccer players, we fell in love with sports ministry. We saw the huge impact “rolling out a soccer ball” could have in relationship building and ministry opportunities. From 2011-2023 we served as Chicago’s Youth Directors – building out an incarnational pathway for families from under resourced communities and surrounding neighborhoods to experience life transformation on the soccer field. Starting in 2023, Cody has been serving as the Executive Director for the Southern California Seahorses. It is our hope to see the Seahorse ministry build a robust training program for future leaders in Sports Ministry, all while giving as many young people as possible opportunities to grow in their faith and sport under a transformational coach.

What brought me to MAI

The Chicago Eagles opened our eyes to use soccer as a tool to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ. As we finished college, we pursued areas of ministry overseas and God continued to put a soccer ball in our hands. Soccer is a talent the Lord has given us to use for His Kingdom. We love being part of Mission Athletes International, an organization that seeks to train leaders in ministry and equip and empower people to serve through the game of soccer. A game with an impact that changes lives.

Ell Dawe

About Me:

Dylan Memory

About me:

I grew up in a home that pointed me towards the love of Christ from both of my parents and my two older sisters. I grew up playing soccer and baseball, but of course always had a bit more special connection with soccer. I attended church through my childhood and through the early years of high school simply because it felt like what I was supposed to do, and not because it was my faith and love for Jesus that drove me there. It wasn’t until I got to college at Biola where my faith really became my own and I learned what it looked and felt like to wholeheartedly surrender my life to the Lord. Over my 6 years playing soccer at Biola, I was refined and sanctified through so many different areas of my life. I was baptized by my captain my junior year at Biola and never looked back, I chose to see soccer for what it truly was, an outlet of worship to the King of Kings. The game became so much more than wins and losses at that point and I was able to feel true freedom in Christ and the game where doors were opened to spread the gospel to those all around the world. I faced a lot of different times in my 6 years at Biola, where I was tested with corrupted leadership, injuries that sidelined me for a year, and also friendships that will last me my whole life and times that I never want to forget because of how much joy they hold. But what I have learned the most over the last few years is just how much of a gift that this game is. The joy that it brings me to coach and play it, but also how many relationships come from it that give the opportunity for the gospel and the love of Christ to be spread to those we get to have with us. I have a deep love for this game for those two reasons.

What brought me to MAI:

I was first introduced to MAI in 2019 when I went on a soccer mission trip to Japan with Paul Gizzy and the Socal Seahorses. It was my first introduction to who MAI was and the possibility that there is such a huge organization that so deeply intertwines their faith into the game of soccer. Two summers later in 2022, I was coming back from an acl injury and looking for a place around Biola to play for the summer, Seahorses was the perfect option. I was then able to see how much more there was in how we have time dedicated to SMT and testimonies so that we can grow physically and spiritually at such a high level. Every summer since then I was able to work camps and see how much this organization was doing here to spread the gospel to kids and their families through this game that I grew to love so much. I fell in love with this ministry with my whole heart after that. I continued to dive deeper and deeper into what we do here and around the country. I was coaching in the summer camps that we do and in higher levels of leadership in those camps, and helping run our rec programs here in Socal, and helping coach a club team as we expanded to those in the last few years. Seeing even some of the fruit of this ministry over the last few years, is evidence enough for me to want this to be my life and dive further into what God is calling me to with this ministry, this game, and this area that so desperately needs the love of Christ.

Jack Pierson

About me:

What brought me to MAI:

My first introduction to MAI and SoCal Eagles was through a soccer class I took with Paul Gizzi at Biola a couple years ago. Since then I’ve helped out coaching here and there, and was an intern the last two summers with the Eagles. I have continued to find joy working with MAI and love pouring into the ministry through my work.

Katherine Neil

About me:

I was born and raised in Charlotte, NC. From a young age, my family was involved with the Eagles, whether that was attending PDL and USL2 games, watching my sister’s club team compete, or attending Urban Eagles summer block parties. God has used the Eagles, specifically Urban Eagles, to shape my faith and teach me more about Jesus’ life and ministry. Upon graduating high school, I went to live in a neighborhood in East Charlotte to do incarnational ministry and work for a refugee support organization called Project 658. During my time there, God continued to move my heart towards the refugee and immigrant community and full-time ministry, leading me to attend school at Biola University in Southern California where I studied Sociology. In my free time, I enjoy doing pretty much any outdoor activity and sharing a meal with friends. I am passionate about truly taking time to understand people and be curious about their lives. I believe in all of our stories are strings of God’s faithfulness and His nudging for us to know that He is all our souls need, and I desire for others to know this and walk in the freedom it brings.

What brought me to MAI:

In high school, I was struck by how Eagles missionaries were doing cross-cultural ministry. Their desire was not to be the face of the ministry, but rather to equip and empower high school students to know Jesus, love Him, and teach others about Him. Their desire to immerse themselves in their neighbors’ cultures, and humility to realize there is so much to learn from doing life alongside others different than you immediately drew me to incarnational ministry and the Eagles work in East Charlotte. Part of attending college at Biola was not only receiving a Christian education, but also having the opportunity to continue to serve with the Eagles in SoCal. The easier thing would have been to go back to Charlotte after graduating, as I have years of relationship and community surrounding me there. However, because I have been so impacted by Urban Ministry and believe deeply in what it means to be a neighbor as Christ came into our neighborhood, when presented the opportunity to help re-launch Urban in SoCal, I followed God’s leading. It has not been without challenge, and has required a lot of courage and grace, but I feel confident that God is already stirring in hearts here in West Fullerton, and as we are faithful to follow, He will continue to reveal His will for this ministry and His people. I feel incredibly blessed that everyday for work, I get to teach people about the Jesus I met through the Eagles all those years ago.

Lauren Cleope Hilbert

About me
I was born in the United States, but I grew up as a missionary kid in the Philippines. I accepted Christ in my heart when I was young, but it never really sunk in until end of high school and beginning of college. I started playing soccer at a young age and had many opportunities to play all over Asia. I attended the University of Northwestern-Saint Paul in Minnesota and played soccer there all four years. I graduated in 2014 with a Bachelors degree in Kinesiology.  In 2016-2017, I went through the Chicago Eagles Residency program with my focus on the Summer Academy and from there joined MAI staff.  I served as the Social Media Manager, U17 girls Urban coach, & Summer Academy staff for our Chicago office through fall of 2022. I also was the JV head coach for girls soccer and basketball at Wheaton Academy and was a nanny for an awesome family for 3 years. In the fall of 2022 I moved out to Southern California where I am currently serving as the Director of Women’s Ministry and Discipleship in our Southern California Seahorse office.

 What brought me to MAI

I participated in the Chicago Eagles Summer Academy in 2014 and I fell in love with the ministry. After the summer, I knew that God wanted me to be apart of MAI. I have always had a heart for people and love for the beautiful game of soccer and God led me to MAI where my passions collided, with the ultimate goal in sharing Jesus with others. I belong to Jesus and I belong on the pitch. I’m glad I found a place where those two met.

Luke Helmuth

About me

I spent my first eight years with MAI in the Charlotte office starting as an Urban Eagles intern but growing into roles with the USL 2 team, Residency, and the club. I love playing soccer, watching soccer, and coaching soccer. When I’m not “doing” soccer, I will likely be outside doing some activity, listening to music, or enjoying good food with my wife. Relationships are a big part of my life and carry into the different avenues of ministry I am engaged in.

What brought me to MAI

I first began to feel God’s calling into ministry after graduating high school but was not sure how or where. I was exposed to sports ministry while in school at Messiah College.  Through being around my college team and experiencing sports ministry both in local communities and internationally, God revealed to me the power sports have for His kingdom. Both of my college coaches had played for the Charlotte Eagles and had experiences with sports ministry through MAI. They pointed me towards the Eagles. After months of prayer and searching, I felt God’s call for me to come down to Charlotte and learn more about sports ministry for a year through the Urban Eagles internship.  I stayed seven more years after the internship, continuing to use soccer as the connection to relationships and discipleship.

Miranda Starbeck

About me:

As a SoCal native, I actually grew up going to Seahorse camps as a kid! I was raised in the Orange County area and played club and high school soccer locally before continuing my playing career at Biola University. Throughout my time at Biola and continuing thereafter, I began to serve with the Seahorse ministry as a summer camp coach, camp director, Urban Seahorses coach, women’s team member and participant on two Japan tours (2012 & 2019).
Over the years I have been blessed to coach players as young as four all the way up to the collegiate level. Without a doubt my favorite part of coaching is the mentoring relationship I get to have with my players, pushing them to be the best athletes they can be but also the best people they can be. I currently work full time as a school counselor at Friends Christian Middle School, which I XABSOLUTEly LOVE! I am SO grateful for the opportunity to be on staff with the Seahorses part time and look forward to seeing what the Lord has in store!

What brought me to MAI:

After an incredible experience co-leading the 2022 Seahorse Youth Tour to Ecuador, I felt the Lord instilling in my heart an even greater passion for sports ministry. After a year and a half of many conversations and much prayer I said yes to a door the Lord opened for me to join Seahorses as a part time staffer. I couldn’t be more excited to see what the Lord has in store!

Paul & Vickie Gizzi

About me

Paul Gizzi was born & raised in Japan till age 14. His parents were missionaries.  He speaks Japanese & has led MAI’s efforts in Japan for 24 years.  Paul was a goalkeeper at Biola University and then spent four years in the NASL playing for the Seattle Sounders and the San Jose Earthquakes. After that he spent 12 years in education as a soccer coach, Athletic Director and Principal of a private Christian HS in Northern California.  Most recently he has been the director of the Seahorse ministries for the past 25 years.  He was the Head Women’s and goalkeeper coach as well as the men’s keeper coach for Biola University during those 25 years.

His goal is not only to reach the Japanese with the message of Jesus, but to make the experience one of personal transformation for the trip participants. Currently he serves MAI through development, community & alumni relations, special events as well as fundraising and the ongoing Japan effort.

What brought me to MAI

We became missionaries following 12 years as an educator & administrator in a Christian HS and after four years of playing soccer professionally. The Lord put the burden of being more bold and using our gifts on our hearts in a way that was quite personal & undeniable. As we pursued the opportunity it became more & more apparent that joining MAI was a good fit considering I had played soccer, coached soccer, and had gone on International soccer outreach trips as well as running my own soccer camps. These were the same things MAI was doing & needed a leader for the LA Office. The President of MAI called & encouraged us to consider joining. I tried to “fight” it once I began feeling called, but that’s a losing battle when our Lord provides specific and personal feelings that both Vickie & I knew were too unique to be denied. It has been a journey of faith, and not always an easy one, but one we cannot deny was directed by our Lord & Savior. We are excited and peaceful as we look back at how he has used us both with high level athletes here in LA, and within our International experience of representing God to the Japanese people through the sport of Soccer.

Skyler Warner

About me:

I love being active. I have played sports competitively for a very large portion of my life, from soccer to football, basketball, and track and field. I love lifting weights and going on runs. I Love watching sports too as my favorite teams are the New England Patriots and Clippers. I love joking around! I cannot wait to use my love for sports and my gifts to glorify God.

What brought me to MAI:

My dad connected me to the mission, I was also a camper when I was younger, and I am accepting a part-time position after a very fun summer internship.

Sofia Warren

About me:

I grew up in Wheaton, Illinois, which is where I first heard about the Eagles through a camp in 2014. I grew up loving soccer and started playing at three years old. I went on to play for 15 years, quitting right before my senior season. Soccer was always rocky ground for me. It caused a lot of hurt in my life and was definitely put on the throne for a while. But God, through His lovingkindness, showed me that His way is so much better, and putting my worth and identity in Him brings fullness of joy and abundance of life!
I was blessed to grow up in a Christian home, which ultimately led me to attend California Baptist University to pursue a degree in Exercise Science and Christian Behavioral Sciences. It was here through a missions trip to New Orleans that I believe the Gospel reached my heart for the first time. I grew up knowing and believing the Gospel was true, but had never truly committed my life to Jesus or had a relationship with Him. It was on that trip that God so kindly opened my eyes to my lostness and revealed the pieces of my life that I still had yet to surrender. Ever since then, Jesus has lit a fire in my heart and I wouldn’t have it any other way! I went from apathetic, dispassionate and broken to experiencing the fullness of joy that Jesus promises. I have been saved and now get to walk in the freedom of Christ. It is a huge gift to me that I get to serve the Lord with my life, and I am so grateful to Him that He has created a space like the Eagles where my passions for soccer, people, and Him all get to collide!

What brought me to MAI:

In the fall of 2023, I remember clearly having a moment with God where He revealed to me that He had been calling me into vocational ministry, and I was saying no. I then surrendered my own plan for my life and gave Him control. Not quite wanting to give up on my path of sports medicine and athletic training, I started brainstorming ways to bridge the two. Almost immediately, God reminded me of the singular Eagles soccer camp I had done in 2014 and the rest is history. Two Chicago Summer Academy’s later, I have learned that I love soccer a good deal, but love Jesus a whole lot more. I feel beyond blessed that I get to join my three greatest passions – Jesus, people, and soccer – and use that to serve the Kingdom. Seriously, what a gift! I firmly believe in a good God who takes broken people and turns their lives around. He did it for me, and I’ve seen Him do it for others. I think the environment of soccer has a lot of broken people, both coaches and players, and in the midst of all of the mess, MAI stands as a vessel for the glory of God to break through. I’ve been given the greatest news with the power to save — who am I to keep it to myself?

Trevor Swartz

About me:

I was born and raised in Peoria, Arizona. I played soccer at Messiah University in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, where I studied special education. During my time at Messiah, God began to work in my heart through the men I was surrounded by. I experienced a renewal in my understanding of what a relationship with the Lord truly is, which led to a transformation in my priorities and desires.
After graduating from Messiah, I had the opportunity to pursue my master’s degree while coaching men’s soccer at Eastern Mennonite University in Harrisonburg, Virginia. My experience at EMU further solidified my desire to use the game of soccer to positively impact young men’s lives for Christ.
All the work God has done in my life up to this point has led me to begin my role as a sports minister for MAI in Southern California. I am expectant and excited to see how the Lord will work through this incredible opportunity.

What brought me to MAI:

I first learned about MAI through my assistant coach at Messiah University, Aaron Faro. He encouraged me to spend a summer in Chicago participating in their Summer Academy. By the end of the summer, I experienced something I once thought was nearly impossible: I found a community focused on pursuing the Lord Jesus Christ through soccer outside of my college team at Messiah. What I believed was only possible at Messiah, I discovered in Chicago with the Eagles. This experience led me to spend three more summers with the Eagles—two in Chicago and one in Southern California. Each year I spent with the Eagles gave me a clearer vision of what brings me the most joy.

Playing and coaching soccer allowed me to invest in the lives of others, not just for the sake of the game, but for the opportunity to make an eternal impact. I realized that nothing brought me more joy than passing along the lessons my teammates and coaches taught me at Messiah about pursuing and growing a relationship with Jesus Christ. This realization has led me to my calling with MAI. My heart is set on providing others with the same transformative experience I was blessed to have while being sharpened by those around me. MAI is the place to pursue my vision, and I could not be more excited to get started.