International Eagles

Colombia COSDECOL

The Christian Union Sports Club (CUSC) (in Colombia known as the “Social and Sport Corporation of Colombia”–COSDECOL), officially founded in 1991 in Medellín, evolved out of a neighborhood soccer tournament that was organized as a way to reach out to young men who were being recruited into the life of violence and crime spawned by the Medellín Drug Cartel.  Mark Wittig, an American who arrived in Medellín in 1986 with his family to teach at a university/seminary, founded the tournament along with other local friends.

A young leader from the neighborhood, a participant in the tournament, turned his back on the “cartel life” and began to work with Mark in developing a soccer program for adolescents.  While Alvaro Cano would coach the team of young soccer players, Mark would teach them values and principles from the Word of God.   Out of this initial group several became Christians and entered a period of discipleship with Alvaro and Mark.  They later became coaches in the program, and more teams were organized in other neighborhoods of the city.  Over a process of time, the CUSC grew and today has 32 full-time and part-time staff, 130 soccer teams with 3,400 participants from the poorest neighborhoods of the city, a citywide soccer league, a brownie, cookie and cake business that employs 28 young people full-time, and a developing sports and retreat facility. The CUSC has also established sports programs in sixteen vulnerable areas of the country, mainly rural.

Graham & Lori West

About me:

The Lord clearly led Lori & me into service with Missionary Athletes International early in our marriage. We joined staff in Charlotte in 1992, after leading MAI’s first women’s international tour to England. Since that time He has allowed us to join in His work around the globe and also locally through various roles within teams, international tours and summer camps. My current role (Graham) is serving as MAI International Training Director. I am privileged to take part in training leaders around the world, and equipping coaches to effectively and strategically reach their communities and villages with the Gospel. The aim of these trainings is to train, equip and empower leaders for an ongoing work in transforming the lives of others through Christ. Both Lori and I are humbled and privileged to take part in what God is doing here and internationally for HIs purpose and glory. All believers are “missionaries” wherever they are planted, and we believe the Lord has called and planted us with MAI and we are so thankful and blessed to partner with you in His Kingdom work. We are deeply grateful for your prayers, support and encouragement for our whole family these many years! ~ Graham, Lori (Matthew & Kelsey)

Mark & Debby Schrock

About Mark

Mark has been blessed to be involved with MAI since its inception in 1983 as part of the founding board.  Mark and Debby accepted Tim Conrad’s (MAI founder) challenge to consider joining MAI as staff and in 1993 moved from Southern California to MAI’s headquarters in Colorado Springs to serve in the administration of the mission. When the MAI board decided to relocate the mission’s headquarters to Charlotte in 2003, Mark and family chose to rejoin the Seahorses, MAI’s Southern California ministry office in La Mirada CA, where Mark continued to work as part of the HQ administration team while also helping with the local Seahorse ministry.  As years passed and MAI grew, Mark’s ministry role evolved from HQ responsibilities to local LA ministry. Mark has had the joy of serving in a variety of roles in LA and during the last 14 years has focused his time and energy on the So Cal Seahorse L2 team as General Manager. In 2009, through an unexpected email, the Lord expanded Mark’s ministry vision to the people of Cuba. Mark’s Argentine roots and fluent Spanish enhanced what has turned into a passion for the people of Cuba. Since 2010 Mark has made 15 mission trips to Cuba visiting 9 different cities. Through these trips, teams have been taken to participate in outreach and bring encouragement to Cuban believers as well as training Cuban coaches to effectively use their platform and influence for the Lord. Mark and Debby have four grown children and seven grandchildren.

Masa & Chie Yokota

About me
Chie and I have two children Joe and Jen. I accepted Jesus when I was 18 years old at Word of Life Bible camp in Schroonlake NY. This is where I met Chie for the first time.

God opened the doors for me to study abroad. First he went to Word of life Philippines for 6 months to learn Bible and English, then I went to Word of life NY for 2 years and Israel college of the Bible for a year. I then attended Grace college for 2 years and Seminary for a year and half to finish my degrees in Intercultural ministries.

Chie accepted Jesus when she was 13 yrs old through a missionary from Indiana. She went to Lancaster Christian high school and went to Word of life Bible institution. She went back to Japan and worked at mission organization for a year and went to Israel college of the Bible for a year.

Matthew Graham

About me:

Originally from East Tennessee (go Vols), I never envisioned the city of Charlotte being where I would plant my roots. Yet, here I am and I’m blessed enough to have met and married my beautiful wife (Macy) here as well. My family is incredibly important to me and much of who I am today is because of them. I love all things sports, being with people, and finding new adventures. Most of which is due to being raised in a home of constant activity and fun! Thankfully, my home was also filled with the Holy Spirit and a family which loved Jesus. There weren’t many days that passed in which I didn’t hear about Jesus, Savior of the world. However, it was not until high school when I came to know Him personally as Jesus, Savior of me. My life has been transformed by what Christ has done for me and I love being able to use the gifts God has given me to provide a playful space which invites others in to experience the love and joy of Jesus.

How & why I became a MAI missionary:

For 40+ years God has used MAI International Tours to impact people from around the globe for His glory, including my life directly. I have the amazing opportunity to step into what God is doing and to support and grow the International Tours side of MAI’s ministry. Not only will I be a part of many of these Tours directly, I more importantly get to walk alongside and build up leaders who are then sent out to do the same.

Mitch & Holly Sanford

About me

I am blessed to be married to my beautiful and amazing wife, Holly. We have two sons, Miles and Bennett. We love laughing and playing together, exploring new places and eating new food.
Sports ministry has been a part of my life from a young age. It has blessed me with the opportunity to travel all over the world and meet some incredible people. It is truly a privilege to be a part of MAI and come and see the context of soccer as an access point to know players and coaches and be known by them. My desire is to see men walk in emotional, relational and spiritual maturity so they can fulfill their God-given destiny and leave a Kingdom legacy.

How & why I became a MAI Missionary?

My first experience with MAI was in 1997 as a teenager on an international tour. I remember looking at the director and thinking, “that’s what I want to do when I grow up.” After college I joined the Charlotte staff as an intern and was on staff in some capacity until 2020, mainly working with international tours, international coaches training and Lady Eagles ministry in Charlotte.
I have been on a journey with God who is refining me to better understand myself, my blind spots and how He wants to use me moving forward. It is exciting to reengage ministry with a transformed lens of what it means to do ministry. The opportunity to cultivate opportunities for young men to know themselves and their Heavenly Father better is motivating me. I also hope to use my role to facilitate safe places for coaches and players to truly know one another. These are the things that have drawn me back to MAI and that I believe can transform the way men view the sport and how it can be used in their own lives.

Rick & Janice McKinley

About me

My wife Janice and I have literally come full circle with MAI. It was while I was in graduate school at Wheaton College that we first explored the possibility of full-time work in sports ministry. In 1987, we joined MAI at their original office in southern California. In 1991, we moved to Charlotte, North Carolina, to assist in the opening of the Charlotte Eagles, MAI’s East Coast office. In 1997, we returned to the Chicago area, to begin the work of the Chicago Eagles.

Having been a school teacher and coach for three years in Puerto Rico, I had seen first-hand the impact that sport, especially soccer, can have on people, young and old. Along with that, I credit a couple of Christian coaches with having a tremendous influence on my life.

While in the L.A. office, I served as MAI’s National Camp Director. In Charlotte, I assisted Brian Davidson in the opening of the Charlotte Eagles ministry, and served for six years in the development of MAI’s largest office. In 1997, Janice and I were blessed to begin the Chicago Eagles. My passion continues to be in training and equipping others in sports ministry.

From 2004-2017, I served as the Summer Academy Director for the Chicago Eagles. In the Fall of 2020, we transitioned back to Charlotte, to serve in the MAI headquarters, primarily serving coaches and training coaches and leaders internationally.

I have led high school and collegiate teams to more than 20 countries. I hold a National “C” Coaching License with the United States Soccer Federation (USSF), and have coached youth to collegiate level for the past 40 years. I am currently coaching boys U17. Married in 1985, Janice and I have four children – Lauren (married to Joe Meekins), Joshua, Lindsay (married to Jordan Langs) and Joe (married to Karolina); five grandsons – Levi, Grayson, Ezra, Ellis and Oliver; and four granddaughters, Everlee, Makayla, Livia, and Eleanor. Janice is a registered nurse, and serves full time as a wife, mother and grandmother.

How & why I became a MAI Missionary              

After serving one amazing year with Sports Life soccer ministry, we were convinced of God’s call into full time sports ministry. We had seen the impact of the gospel through sport, and we had also experienced personal transformation through sports ministry. When Sports Life discontinued operations, we sensed that God was directing us to join MAI. That was in 1987. Since then, we have been blessed to serve in each of MAI’s offices (Southern California ’87-’91; Charlotte ’91-’97; Chicago ’97-’20; MAI HQ 2020 – present).

Tom & Olena Merchant

About me

Grew up in Maryland
Grace Brethren Christian School – Clinton, MD – graduated 1990
Liberty University – Cross-cultural Studies – graduated 1994
MAI tours and camps in USA and Europe since 1989
Full-time MAI staff since 1997
1997-1999 Chicago
1999-2003 Moscow, Russia
2003-2007 Dnipropetrovsk, Ukraine
2007- Rivne, Ukraine
Married Olena Forsyuk (Merchant) 2001
2 daughters – Michelle and Melody
Partnering with and assisting the Christian Football Club “Nadiya” (Hope) and supporting soccer ministry in Ukraine as a founding member of the Christian Football Union of Ukraine (CFUU / ХФСУ)

How & why I became a MAI Missionary

I joined tours to Denmark, Norway and then Russia and all over Europe. I also worked some camps in the States before focusing on Russia and Ukraine. God showed me that I can and should use the skills and talents that He has given me to serve Him and society. My life has been saturated with soccer and God has inserted me into the Slavic map. Pray for these people. Life here is not all about fun and games. It’s tough. People have eyes but do not see; ears but do not hear. And many seem to prefer being blind and deaf. But there still are some honest seekers and youth that need God’s love, grace, mercy and forgiveness of sins.

Zack Miller

About me:

• Originally from Northern Virginia
• Grew up playing all sports (I love to compete) and soccer is my favorite.
• Graduate of James Madison University
• Moved to the Holy Land (Israel) in 2014 and have been working in youth ministry since. (Young Life and MAI)

How & why I became a MAI Missionary?
Jesus, soccer, international…these are the 3 things I want my life to be about and I found a way to mix them together serving with MAI. I think soccer is a beautiful game and it brings me joy to watch, coach and play it. My experience in Nazareth and Haifa made me fall in love with the local culture (Palestinian and Israeli) and God continues to show how good He is day by day.