AIA Church Partnership Camps 2006

It has been an awesome summer. This year we had the privilege of working alongside 22 churches. Twelve in BC, 8 in ON and 2 in AB. Last year we partnered with 20 churches. Even though we had a few drop out of the race, we had several more enter it.

We had over 900 children attend these camps. This is 300 more campers than last year. The most exciting part is hearing tremendous stories of God working in the lives of children and their families.

Here are a few things that people have been saying:

"Soccer camp this past week was amazing...kids that didn't even like soccer at the beginning of the week wouldn't but the balls down by the end! There was such a good response to our team time material - our small groups were most often filled with chatter and lots of searching questions. Friday's commitment message also had a good response.....a number of kids were asking us coaches to pray for them and some even prayed on their own for the first time. It's so incredible to be a part of this!

During the last night we had a wrap-up bbq.....with such an amazing turnout! Over 80 people came....campers and their families. We had dinner and gave awards to all the campers. It was such an great way for the families to meet the people from the church and us coaches - i can't even count the number of incredible conversations and comments i heard. Comments like "I'm going to call the pastor of this church and let him know how amazing this camp was for my children" or "thank you for giving my kids an environment where they were loved, taken care of, and able to have so much fun!"....

Renee Grootenboer
Ontario Soccer Camps instructor

"This has been an EXCELLENT week. Your staff ... Sheena, Drew, Doug, Lana and Leah have been amazing ambassadors for AIA and for Christ - so thank you for sending such a wonderful team to us."

Vicki Bower
Children’s Pastor

Peace Portal Alliance Church in BC

"Our camp was fantastic. It is so great to watch God at work through those He sends - He does so much - not just to our campers, but our leaders, families, and the AIA staff as well."

Thelmae Eisan
Children’s Pastor
Cedar Creek Community Church in Ontario

God has moved and worked in more ways than I can count. I have experienced the power of his love, his grace and his faithfulness beyond measure. It has been a wonderful, incredible journey and has changed my life in more ways than one! I have been so blessed by the people that I meet and the stories and testimonies that I hear. Wow, what an opportunity to grow in and be challenged in your faith in so many ways. I have never experienced such a community of believers before. God has opened many doors and has given me amazing opportunities to share the love of Christ with these kids and to experience the power of his work. It has been such an encouragement in my own life in particular to share in my faith and my experiences and my past with those who God has purposely placed in my life for a reason. I have learned and grown so much from these kids and also from the billets and adults that we have been alongside with in this ministry.

Julie Zantingh
Ontario Soccer Camps instructor

"I want to say thanks, Michael played a soccer game the other night with more confidence and excitement than he ever has." and "I'm going to call the pastor next week, and thank him and tell him how great this week was."

~the mom of Michael, a high energy, super kid

"I am so thankful that my boys got to spend a week with strong, Christian males...their dad isn't a Christian and this past week taught them so much."

~another mother, who goes to a different church in Bolton, came to Matt and I, with tears in her eyes:

"You guys changed our kid's lives."

~a father and mother of three campers, Ally, Julia, and AJ

The Alberta Tour

It has always been a desire of mine to help churches in Alberta initiate their own soccer camp ministries. This year it finally happened. We worked alongside 2 churches: Balmoral Bible Chapel (in Red Deer) and Bonavista Evangelical Missionary Church (in Calgary). Both camps turned out way better than I expected.

I must admit that I was a little nervous seeing that I grew up in Red Deer and know a lot of people. Talk about pressure to perform. However I was more nervous with the camp numbers as a month before camp only 2 kids registered. By the time camp came around we had 35 kids. This is pretty good for a first time camp.

The picture above is our Alberta Team (Me, Bryan, Jeneca and Vicki). It was aweseom to minister allongside Bryan. We went to Briercrest college together played soccer there. It’s always good to be reunited with old friends and even better to serve Jesus together. Next, is Jeneca who I had the privilege of coach while she played at Columbia Bible College. She's a funny girl. Finally and certainly not least is Vicki. I recently met here in Calgary at a soccer tournament as I was recruiting coaches for our camps. She coach's Taylor University College's women's futsul team (which is a version of indoor soccer). I guess the recruiting worked cause here she is. Hopefully she will be invloved this coming summer!

The best part about this trip was seeing God work in the lives of the campers. Many were encouraged in their faith and were challenged to recommit their lives to Jesus or to give their lives to Him for the very first time. The camp in Red Deer consisted of children who allready knew Christ. It is suggested that approximatley 76% of of children will make a decsion to follow Christ prior to the age of 12. You never know how these young children will turn out. The more positive influences one can have...ther better. The next week we were of to Calgary and approximately 10 kids committed their life to Christ for the very first time.

I can't wait to see what next summer will be like. Hopefully God will in able Atheltes in Actoin to partner with 6 more churches in Alberta. This will enalbe us to get more soccer players to use their passion and gifts to further God's Kingdom. Obvoulsy, the more partnerships means greater impact to children and their families.

Fighting the Good Fight,
Clarke Glover

Renovations

Well...it has been a year since I bought a house with my good friend and co-worker Matthew Guynup. Boy has it been an adventure. When I first walked into the place I immediately saw the potential that it had. Little did I know what I was getting my self into. One goal that I had was to make the basement suit into a 2 bedroom suit. In addition to this I wanted to open it up and improve the bathroom also. The first thing I did was nock down the wall that you see on your right. I envisioned putting in an island that would increase the storage space as well as open it right up. Below you can see a picture of the almost finished product.
Here I am standing in virtually the same spot. The part that I am most proud of is concrete counter top that I made with my friend Sander. It turned out better than I expected...with the exception of a minor mistake. You can't see it on this picture but the concrete slab behind the stove has an 1 and half gap. It will be okay as I plan on inserting a piece of stainless steal into the gap.

I still have a few more things to do. If you look close you will notice that I still need some light fixtures and a bar is to be added to the counter top as well. I also need to finish painting here and there.

Things are going well for me as I am in the process of wrapping up from the summer and planning for next year. I must admit that things are a little weird as it seems like there is a stirring in my spirit. Perhaps it is God renovating my own heart or perhaps He is calling me to something new. Maybe it is merely overflow from a crazy hectic summer. Whatever the case might be, pray that I would be sensitive to God's calling, that I would clearly know what it is and that He would give me the strength to follow with all my heart.

Fighting the Good Fight,

Clarke Glover