Business Name: Athletes in Action
Contact Name: Jerry Dendinger, COO/EVP
Business Address:
651 Taylor Drive
Xenia, OH 45358
Website: https://athletesinaction.org/
Business Phone: (937) 352-1000
Athletes in Action seeks to develop spiritual movements everywhere through the platform of sport so that everyone knows someone who truly follows Jesus. Our vision is to see a Christ follower on every team, every sport in every nation. We develop Total Athletes mentally, physically and spiritually so they can have a lasting impact on those around them. We believe athletes are made for sport and made for more.
What first inspired you to get into your line of work? And what motivates you to do the work you do still today?
As a Track and Field athlete at the University of Southern Mississippi I came to Christ through Cru, which is the parent organization of AIA. As I approached the end of my college career I had to make a decision about what is next. As I considered my love for Christ and His mission, my love for sport and my need for a job I realized that AIA could combine all of those and the Lord made it clear this was my next step. I am passionate about seeing the world come to Christ and sport seemed like the perfect platform the Lord had for me.
How did you come to faith in Christ?
As a college student I attended a conference hosted by Cru called the Christmas Conference. It was at this conference that I heard a couple thousand college students from across the southeast worship God, talk about how God was impactig their lives and share what God was doing on their specific campus. At this point it became very clear that God is real and I needed to place my trust in Him. It is a moment that changed my life and eternity forever.
How does your faith impact the way you do business?
All that we do in AIA is centered on our relationship with Christ. All of our strategies, business decisions, personnel decisions, etc. are made with the Great Commission in mind an specifically our mission in AIA. Prayer and our own spiritual growth are bedrock foundational principles upon which we live and operate.
What ministry/cause do you champion and why?
Athletes in Action is certainly the ministry we champion. We believe the world is looking to athletes and the world needs to see those athletes looking to God. Sport is one of the greatest influencers in our culture around the world and we believe one of the best ways to go after the Great Commission.