Orlando 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.

How and Why I became a MAI Missionary:

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.

How & Why I became a MAI Missionary:

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.