Orlando Eagles

Alex Long

What brought us to MAI:

I went on a spring break mission trip to COSDECOL in Medellin, Colombia, with Cedarville University men’s soccer and the Eagles. This week was life-changing, and it was through this trip that I felt the Lord call me to missions. I met Vera the next month and didn’t know that she had been praying the same thing preparing for a mission trip to Jordan. In the Summer of 2025, I was able to join the first Orlando Eagles Summer Academy, and through that, the Lord opened my eyes to the beauty of community, identity as a child of God, and the ways that He was working in Orlando through soccer and the Eagles.

Austin & Annie Shaner

About Me:

My wife Annie and I are the proud parents of Elijah Brice Shaner. Together we love hiking, reading, being outside, spending time with friends, and laughing together. We were both collegiate athletes, but our greatest passion is Jesus Christ and creating spaces for people to encounter Jesus.

What brought me to MAI:

From a young age, I developed a passion for soccer and Christ. Throughout my life, the Lord began to merge these passions together into a calling to use sports ministry to advance the gospel. MAI played an intricate part through the Summer Academy in Chicago and later through the residency in Charlotte. God began to further this calling during our early years of marriage as we both served on staff through the Bridge Community Church in Indiana. There, I launched a sports ministry and saw the importance of “equipping the saints for ministry” as Paul writes. God soon began a new calling for the our family to help launch an MAI office in Orlando. The calling was clear and we are excited to use the many ways God has equipped and prepared us to impact the city of Orlando for the sake of the gospel.

Bethany Orys

About Me:

My husband, McEnroe, and I have two amazing little kiddos, Elijah and Moriah, and an awesome dog named JP. For the past couple of years, it’s been my main focus and privilege to raise them and watch them grow. I also LOVE to travel, study culture and explore new places. I’m originally from Kentucky (I played soccer at Asbury University). From there, I spent a couple of years in Hungary doing youth ministry, followed by some incredible years in Boston studying and growing in urban ministry. Now that my family and I are planted in sunny Orlando, our focus is on sharing the love of Jesus with those around us.

What brought me to MAI:

Soccer has been a core passion of mine since I first took the field at age 4, and I don’t plan on hanging up my boots any time soon! I’ve also had the incredible opportunity to serve the Lord through missions work all over the world. This role somehow combines two of my greatest passions into one effort! My hope is to “seek the peace of the city” of Orlando through sharing the transforming message of the Gospel and equipping other urban workers to do the same. The fact that I get to do that while enjoying the game I love is just beyond my wildest dreams.

Brandon Golding

About me:

I have a deep passion for seeing lives transformed through authentic community, discipleship, and the game of soccer. Throughout my life, I have experienced how powerful it is when faith and sport come together—not just to develop athletes, but to shape character, purpose, and identity.
I believe soccer creates a unique space where people from different backgrounds can connect, grow, and encounter something greater than themselves. My heart is to serve others, lead with humility, and reflect Christ both on and off the field. Whether through mentoring, encouragement, competition, or everyday conversations, I desire to help cultivate environments where people feel seen, challenged, and inspired.
Beyond athletics, I am passionate about creativity, storytelling, and building Christ-centered community. I value authenticity, servant leadership, discipline, and spiritual growth, and I hope to use every opportunity God gives me to impact others for His glory.

What brought me to MAI:

I believe God has been steadily aligning my passion for soccer, ministry, and community for years, and MAI feels like a natural intersection of those callings. I have long carried a vision for using soccer as more than a sport—as a tool for connection, discipleship, encouragement, and outreach.
What drew me to MAI and the Orlando Eagles was the opportunity to be part of a mission that seeks to develop people spiritually while competing and serving through the game. I resonate deeply with the heart behind using athletics to share Christ and build meaningful relationships.
Through different seasons of life, God has continued to grow in me a desire to serve, lead faithfully, and invest in others in ways that go beyond the field. Joining MAI is an opportunity to continue growing in that calling while contributing to a community that values faith, excellence, and servant leadership. I’m excited to learn, serve, and help create an environment where athletes and families can experience both the love of Christ and the unity that sport can bring.