Imago Dei

Andres & Jamie Tortola

About us:

We are Andres and Jamie Tortola, a husband-and-wife team passionate about using sports as a tool to share the Gospel and invest in people’s lives. Our journey together began on a mission trip to Guatemala, where we quickly connected over our shared love for sports and ministry. We got married in 2018 and are now raising our two amazing kids, Sebastian (4) and Lucy (2), who are already developing a love for soccer and adventure.
Sports have shaped who we are. I (Andres) grew up in Guatemala, where soccer was more than just a game—it was a way of life. That passion led me to earn an international scholarship to study Counseling at Clarks Summit University in Pennsylvania, where I graduated in 2019 and pursued a career in coaching. I (Jamie) grew up in South Jersey, playing every sport I could and being mentored by incredible coaches who shaped my faith and character. A life-changing mission trip to the Dominican Republic in high school confirmed my calling to use sports for ministry, leading me to earn a bachelor’s degree in Sports Ministry at Baptist Bible College.
We’ve always felt called to serve together as a family. Whether coaching teams, leading Bible studies, or walking alongside young athletes, our heart is to disciple and equip the next generation to know Christ and live out their faith boldly.

What brought us to MAI:

A few years ago, we found ourselves in a season of deep prayer, seeking clarity on our purpose and next steps in ministry. We knew we wanted to use sports to impact lives for Christ, but we didn’t know where or how. As we shared our hearts with close friends, they connected us with Imago Dei Soccer. The moment we learned about their mission, everything clicked—we knew this was where God was calling us.
Andres joined the Imago Dei team in 2021, bringing our family to North Carolina. Since then, we have seen firsthand how powerful this ministry is in transforming lives through the platform of soccer. Jamie spent a few years at home with our kids, but has joined Imago Dei as the Partner Care & International  Coordinator, allowing us to serve side by side.
We truly believe in the work Imago Dei Soccer is doing—not just coaching the game but discipling players, developing leaders, and creating opportunities for communities to experience the love of Christ. We are honored to be part of this mission.

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.

What brought me to MAI:            

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.

Elijah & Sarah Denton

About Us:

We’re Elijah and Sarah Denton, and we’ve been married for 25 years. We are blessed with three amazing children—Andrew, Kyla, and Dax—who all love Jesus. We have had the opportunity to coach soccer at all levels including recreational, club, varsity, and collegiate. Through all our coaching adventures, we have witnessed Jesus work through us and in us. He has used soccer to draw us closer to Him as well as to others.

Sarah’s Story:
I surrendered to Jesus my senior year of high school. The Lord gifted me with athletic talents and gave me a passion for the game of soccer. When he allowed me to get injured my senior year, playing soccer was taken from me for a short while. Through this time of identify searching, all the words, actions, and prayers of those who had shared the gospel with me throughout my childhood began to come to life. My eyes finally opened to the reality of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection. I am forever thankful for the faithfulness of those who relentlessly prayed for me and never ceased sharing truth with me. Jesus was the one I had been waiting for, searching for, and yearning to meet. I thought the answer to the longing in my heart was in my family, sports, relationships, academics, and overall performance. How beautiful the truth of realizing it was Him all along. Aligning my life with the Lord puts all the above in perspective. It is such a freedom to depend on Him alone to bring me satisfaction and purpose.

Elijah’s Story:
I came to know Christ during college, in the middle of one of the hardest times in my life. Though I was alone in that moment of surrender, I could clearly hear the voices of past coaches and teachers who had poured truth into me over the years. Their impact was deep, and I knew I wanted to offer the same encouragement and hope to others. Jesus met me when I needed Him most, and I now see how He was patiently drawing me in all along.

What brought us to MAI:

MAI brings our two greatest passions together: soccer and sharing the love of Jesus. We believe in the power of sports to build bridges, break down walls, and forge meaningful relationships. Through MAI, we have the incredible opportunity to point others to Christ while doing what we love. We’re honored to be part of this ministry and to use the beautiful game of soccer to build His Kingdom.