Jason and I set out early Wednesday for a long "morning" at Inaburra Christian High School in the southern suburb of Bangor (outside Sydney). The appearance was to honour a promise to Inaburra to provide a clinic for their school if they brought more than 70 people to the Jason Smith Fan Day last November. (I think they were actually top school with over 85!)
We did a last minute preparation and prayer during our 20 minute drive over and then met Lisa (volunteer prayer warrior...and mum of one of the students) at the car park. Checked in and met the Principal of the school and then headed down to the basketball gym which was set up for over 500 students.
Assembly...An unbelievably attentive crowd sat through introductions, my challenge to choose Jesus as their personal champion through life, and Jason's very effective sharing of his life journey...along with the prayer he said to become a Christian (as a model of the "how to"). The feedback was extremely positive...and especially reports that we heard from a couple of students regarding their not-yet-Christian classmates. Jason spent about 20 minutes of a 30 minute morning tea signing autographs. He was basically signing a personal photo/journey story player card published as a joint project of AIA and the Bible Society. With his autograph the card becomes a valuable item to his fans and hopefully they will read his story many times...and therefore think of Jesus often.
Clinics...Jason was superb in two back to back clinics--one for the boys and one for the girls. Basically the basics...dribbling and shooting. Jason said he didn't need to apologise for that since it is what the professional teams still practice at almost every training session. Some good coaching but mostly it was rewarding just to see the kids having fun.
Training session...Jason finished off the long morning with a team defensive training session with the school's senior men's basketball team who have a big inner-school tournament next week.
All in all it was a great day. We have another big outreach type appearance on Saturday night!
There are a couple of amateur photos of the event posted below...
Thursday, March 15, 2007
A Couple of Months Gap
Opps...been a while since I've "(b)logged in"...what's happened???
Trip to California to visit my parents, children, and grandson over Christmas...
Picked up on yet another "successful" Sydney Kings' season on our return. No national championship this year, but in the top four teams for the fifth year in a row...and our coach's 18th consecutive appearance in at least the semi-finals of the National Basketball League.I have been asked to officiate at one of the player's off-season wedding which is a real honour for me.
Started a new season with the NSW Waratah's--rugby union. I have "upped" my involvement with the team this year. Still leading a weekly team Bible Study (for three regulars at present) and I have been asked to start attending the weekly support team meeting with the coaches and management.
I am in intense negotiation for a pre-season evangelistic AIA tour in August in Oz between a USA Division 1 Uni All-star Christian Team and several Australian NBL teams (Kings and Wildcats are sure and Hawks, Dragons, and Razorbacks are showing interest).
Jason Smith has committed to working off-season on a number of evangelistic outreaches.
Trip to California to visit my parents, children, and grandson over Christmas...
Picked up on yet another "successful" Sydney Kings' season on our return. No national championship this year, but in the top four teams for the fifth year in a row...and our coach's 18th consecutive appearance in at least the semi-finals of the National Basketball League.I have been asked to officiate at one of the player's off-season wedding which is a real honour for me.
Started a new season with the NSW Waratah's--rugby union. I have "upped" my involvement with the team this year. Still leading a weekly team Bible Study (for three regulars at present) and I have been asked to start attending the weekly support team meeting with the coaches and management.
I am in intense negotiation for a pre-season evangelistic AIA tour in August in Oz between a USA Division 1 Uni All-star Christian Team and several Australian NBL teams (Kings and Wildcats are sure and Hawks, Dragons, and Razorbacks are showing interest).
Jason Smith has committed to working off-season on a number of evangelistic outreaches.
Tuesday, November 21, 2006
An Excited Audience
Jason addressing a bit more than half the remaining crowd (estimated at 2500) while the Kings listen during their cooling off stretches.
Team Effort
A backup squad of others who love the King of Kings...left to right...Debbie King (Athletics), Ric Chapman (Sports Journalist and Author), Steven Meredith (Sydney Roosters), Allison Shreeve (World Champion Windsurfer), Jeremy Rolleston (Winter Olympian Australian 2-Man Bobsled), and Marty Wilson (NSW Waratahs).
Carla and the Captain
Jason providing some support for Carla as she shared from her heart.
Jason sharing the Good News about Jesus with the audience.
King and Servant
Rodney Elliott declares his love for the King of Kings...His King--Jesus! The Team Chaplain prays for those who responded to the message.
Sunday, November 19, 2006
14 Hours "after the fact"
18 November...Firepower Sydney Kings Jason Smith Fan Game...
What a great night…basketball and blessings from God !!!
With the fan base of almost 4000, bolstered by an additional 1721 near-rabid fan night supporters, the Sydney Kings won a huge game against Dragons by four points in overtime!
The coach had a game plan, the captain--Jason Smith--lead well, and the team responded with heart and enthusiasm.
More importantly (from an eternal perspective) at least seven people (of the several thousand who stayed after the game) indicated that they had asked Jesus to come into their lives after hearing Jason’s journey story and brief explanation of the Good News about new life in Jesus.
Six minutes after the game, the basket was lower at one end of the Sydney Entertainment Centre. Brian Goorjian, the head coach gave a brief welcome and gave Jason a glowing (and probably unnecessary) introduction. Seven other professional and world class sportsmen and sportswomen, including one of Jason’s teammates (Rodney Elliot) lined up behind Jason and each took the microphone to tell the quieting crowd that like Jason, they loved the Kings…and the King of Kings.
It was especially powerful and touching to have Jason’s wife (Carla) stand with the others and tell the crowd that she loved the Kings…the King of Kings…and the captain of the Kings. She told how Jason’s faith had been a rock for her recently as they have recently been through major illness, a move, and renovation hell. When she choked up a bit, Jason came and put his arm around her and they both won everyone’s heart.
The captain then got about business and shared briefly how he had come to Christ at what was then the height of his career. He was far from “down and out”…everything was going well for him but he suddenly realized that wasn’t enough. There must be something more to life. With that awareness he gave himself to Christ in a simple bedside prayer.
Jason concluded the post-game programme with a brief explanation of the saving work of Jesus on our behalf…and the “how to’s” of responding to Him. He asked everyone to bow their heads and close their eyes in respect for those who might also want to say a simple prayer of response to Christ right then. In addition to those who indicated a response by a show of hands, a nine-year old boy came up to me afterwards and told me that he had “said the prayer”.
I realized that from an eternal perspective that one small “win” was worth far more than the Kings win against the Dragons. What a privilege for us to be involved in such weighty matters!
The audience was extremely receptive and positive about the evening and the programme. It was especially encouraging to have the entire Kings team on the court behind Jason doing their normal warm-down stretches and listening carefully to the message. I had both fans and Kings management asking me when we were going to do it again.
What a great night…basketball and blessings from God !!!
With the fan base of almost 4000, bolstered by an additional 1721 near-rabid fan night supporters, the Sydney Kings won a huge game against Dragons by four points in overtime!
The coach had a game plan, the captain--Jason Smith--lead well, and the team responded with heart and enthusiasm.
More importantly (from an eternal perspective) at least seven people (of the several thousand who stayed after the game) indicated that they had asked Jesus to come into their lives after hearing Jason’s journey story and brief explanation of the Good News about new life in Jesus.
Six minutes after the game, the basket was lower at one end of the Sydney Entertainment Centre. Brian Goorjian, the head coach gave a brief welcome and gave Jason a glowing (and probably unnecessary) introduction. Seven other professional and world class sportsmen and sportswomen, including one of Jason’s teammates (Rodney Elliot) lined up behind Jason and each took the microphone to tell the quieting crowd that like Jason, they loved the Kings…and the King of Kings.
It was especially powerful and touching to have Jason’s wife (Carla) stand with the others and tell the crowd that she loved the Kings…the King of Kings…and the captain of the Kings. She told how Jason’s faith had been a rock for her recently as they have recently been through major illness, a move, and renovation hell. When she choked up a bit, Jason came and put his arm around her and they both won everyone’s heart.
The captain then got about business and shared briefly how he had come to Christ at what was then the height of his career. He was far from “down and out”…everything was going well for him but he suddenly realized that wasn’t enough. There must be something more to life. With that awareness he gave himself to Christ in a simple bedside prayer.
Jason concluded the post-game programme with a brief explanation of the saving work of Jesus on our behalf…and the “how to’s” of responding to Him. He asked everyone to bow their heads and close their eyes in respect for those who might also want to say a simple prayer of response to Christ right then. In addition to those who indicated a response by a show of hands, a nine-year old boy came up to me afterwards and told me that he had “said the prayer”.
I realized that from an eternal perspective that one small “win” was worth far more than the Kings win against the Dragons. What a privilege for us to be involved in such weighty matters!
The audience was extremely receptive and positive about the evening and the programme. It was especially encouraging to have the entire Kings team on the court behind Jason doing their normal warm-down stretches and listening carefully to the message. I had both fans and Kings management asking me when we were going to do it again.
Saturday, November 18, 2006
12 Hour Countdown
If all goes according plan…in exactly twelve hours from putting fingers to keyboard…
The captain of the Firepower Sydney Kings will have just concluded a 20 minute message of hope with over 3000 fans following an exciting game against the South Dragons.
Jason Smith (also captain of the Australian National Team—the Boomers) will be standing on the court addressing over 1700 fans who came to hear his journey story of faith…and hopefully thousands more who only came to see a game but will walk away having had the opportunity to experience God’s love personally.
I will report more details in the next couple of days. So many “God things” have happened already with this event, that I am trusting Him to truly manifest his glory tonight through a simple message by a faithful servant.
There is an “interview” story with Jason about the programme…and his intentions with it…as the feature story on the Kings website at…
The captain of the Firepower Sydney Kings will have just concluded a 20 minute message of hope with over 3000 fans following an exciting game against the South Dragons.
Jason Smith (also captain of the Australian National Team—the Boomers) will be standing on the court addressing over 1700 fans who came to hear his journey story of faith…and hopefully thousands more who only came to see a game but will walk away having had the opportunity to experience God’s love personally.
I will report more details in the next couple of days. So many “God things” have happened already with this event, that I am trusting Him to truly manifest his glory tonight through a simple message by a faithful servant.
There is an “interview” story with Jason about the programme…and his intentions with it…as the feature story on the Kings website at…
Wednesday, November 01, 2006
18 November--Jason Smith Fan Day
Immediately after the regular season game between the Firepower Sydney Kings and the South Dragons... Jason Smith, the Captain of both the Kings and the Boomers (our Australian National Team) will be sharing his journey story of faith in Jesus from the court with any fans who choose to stay back and listen. In anticipation of a positive and refreshing look into the inside life of a professional basketball player and follower of Jesus, Sydney schools and churches are encouraging their people to swell the ranks of the Kings fans. Those groups involved are able to purchase tickets for just $10 per person. The Kings have promised to provide a free clinic to any school that can sell 70 tickets for this game. Interest is high in many schools.
EXtreme TRaining Arvo--2
22 October saw our second EXtreme TRaining Arvo in less than a year. We had approximately 30 professional and elite sportsmen and sportswomen show up to interact on how to better use their personal sporting success as a platform for sharing the Good News with others.
It was extremely exciting to see three professional basketball players (from two different teams)... four rugby league... one rugby union... several hockey... a summer and a (different) winter Olympian... a former boxer... and a tennis player (along with a number of other sports represented) joining together to engage in ministry training for 4 hours.
This year in addition to talking about how to share our journey stories, how to share His story, and how to most effectively use the media to get the message across, we also just sat around a bit and talked about what God had done with us in the ten month since our last training.
The written evaluations were overwhelmingly positive. Looks like we are on to a "winner" as far as meeting an unusual niche need. Our thinking is to have another training afternoon in March or April of 2007.
There were several great stories of personal courage and opportunities seized, but one highlight for me was the story of a new "fellowship group" springing up in the rugby league community. After our meeting last year, a couple of the league players started meeting for a bit of fellowship and some praises with a guitar after footie training. As others started to come along and join them the group outgrew the garage where they were meeting and has since outgrown two other venues. The group is called "PowerUp". They presently have up to 200 people meeting on Thursday nights out near Campelltown. At a recent special "outreach" meeting there were over 500 people attending. God is moving in the rugby league world.
It was extremely exciting to see three professional basketball players (from two different teams)... four rugby league... one rugby union... several hockey... a summer and a (different) winter Olympian... a former boxer... and a tennis player (along with a number of other sports represented) joining together to engage in ministry training for 4 hours.
This year in addition to talking about how to share our journey stories, how to share His story, and how to most effectively use the media to get the message across, we also just sat around a bit and talked about what God had done with us in the ten month since our last training.
The written evaluations were overwhelmingly positive. Looks like we are on to a "winner" as far as meeting an unusual niche need. Our thinking is to have another training afternoon in March or April of 2007.
There were several great stories of personal courage and opportunities seized, but one highlight for me was the story of a new "fellowship group" springing up in the rugby league community. After our meeting last year, a couple of the league players started meeting for a bit of fellowship and some praises with a guitar after footie training. As others started to come along and join them the group outgrew the garage where they were meeting and has since outgrown two other venues. The group is called "PowerUp". They presently have up to 200 people meeting on Thursday nights out near Campelltown. At a recent special "outreach" meeting there were over 500 people attending. God is moving in the rugby league world.
Wednesday, September 13, 2006
Player Prayer at the Blitz
I had a great time at the recent NBL Basketball Blitz. I spent the weekend with some longtime friends who now live in the host city of Coffs Harbour. Bruce is a Sports Doctor and Sue runs her own interior design business. They were good enough to join me for a number of the games scheduled over the weekend.
The Basketball Commissioner for the NBL had asked some of the chaplains to set up a voluntary prayer meeting or Bible Study for any players that might be interested “sometime” during the blitz. However, when we tried to actually schedule a meeting with the organizers we were informed that the players were too busy with other functions to try to schedule in something else.
Nevertheless, there seemed to be player interest in such a meeting even it were only for half an hour, so we decided to meet after the final game and before the cocktail party at the players hotel. I spread the word to any of the Christian players that I knew of during the final day and actually discovered that there were more Christians than I realized who were playing professional basketball.
As is turned out we had the commissioner, two chaplains, and nine players at the meeting. Two other Christians we know of were not at the Blitz and at the cocktail party I had several others identify themselves…and ask me to be sure to invite them to the next meeting of this nature. All up, there are approximately 15 believers among the 150 (?) players in the NBL. That is a whopping 10% (huge by Australian standards). And we are praying that more will join our ranks this year.
Most of the players are the only Christians on their team…and several of the teams don’t have chaplains…so we are encouraging people to pray specifically for good support for the players and a developing fellowship among them.
The Basketball Commissioner for the NBL had asked some of the chaplains to set up a voluntary prayer meeting or Bible Study for any players that might be interested “sometime” during the blitz. However, when we tried to actually schedule a meeting with the organizers we were informed that the players were too busy with other functions to try to schedule in something else.
Nevertheless, there seemed to be player interest in such a meeting even it were only for half an hour, so we decided to meet after the final game and before the cocktail party at the players hotel. I spread the word to any of the Christian players that I knew of during the final day and actually discovered that there were more Christians than I realized who were playing professional basketball.
As is turned out we had the commissioner, two chaplains, and nine players at the meeting. Two other Christians we know of were not at the Blitz and at the cocktail party I had several others identify themselves…and ask me to be sure to invite them to the next meeting of this nature. All up, there are approximately 15 believers among the 150 (?) players in the NBL. That is a whopping 10% (huge by Australian standards). And we are praying that more will join our ranks this year.
Most of the players are the only Christians on their team…and several of the teams don’t have chaplains…so we are encouraging people to pray specifically for good support for the players and a developing fellowship among them.
Monday, September 04, 2006
Upcoming Events
Want to get the word out about three big events on the horizon...in order of occurence...
8-9 September...Blitz
NBL Professional Basketball Blitz in Coffs Harbour this year. Three chaplains will be involved in setting up an official prayer meeting for the function.
22 October...EXtreme TRaining Arvo (EXTRA) Sunday...1:00-5:00 pm...
Extreme competition demands extreme training...for "we wrestle not against not against flesh and blood, but against spiritual hosts of wickedness". A training opportunity for elite and professional athletes hosted by their high profile peers to better equip them to use their sports success as a platform for the gospel. Last year we had 15 sportspeople at our inaugral training session, this year we are planning for many more as the word gets out.
18 November 2006 (Saturday)...Sydney Kings and Jason Smith Fan Day at the Sydney Entertainment Centre. Come and see a top game between the Firepower Sydney Kings and the new team in the NBL--the Southern Dragons. After the game join hundreds of others to hear the Kings Captain Jason Smith share his journey story of faith in Christ. Discount tickets and game T-shirts to students are available through their schools.
For more details on these activities see our website... austaia.net (look in the "Stories" and then "News" tabs).
8-9 September...Blitz
NBL Professional Basketball Blitz in Coffs Harbour this year. Three chaplains will be involved in setting up an official prayer meeting for the function.
22 October...EXtreme TRaining Arvo (EXTRA) Sunday...1:00-5:00 pm...
Extreme competition demands extreme training...for "we wrestle not against not against flesh and blood, but against spiritual hosts of wickedness". A training opportunity for elite and professional athletes hosted by their high profile peers to better equip them to use their sports success as a platform for the gospel. Last year we had 15 sportspeople at our inaugral training session, this year we are planning for many more as the word gets out.
18 November 2006 (Saturday)...Sydney Kings and Jason Smith Fan Day at the Sydney Entertainment Centre. Come and see a top game between the Firepower Sydney Kings and the new team in the NBL--the Southern Dragons. After the game join hundreds of others to hear the Kings Captain Jason Smith share his journey story of faith in Christ. Discount tickets and game T-shirts to students are available through their schools.
For more details on these activities see our website... austaia.net (look in the "Stories" and then "News" tabs).
Grief in Goondiwindi
A couple of weeks ago now, I experienced a very sad, difficult, and extremely memorable couple of days in the small outback town of Goondiwindi, Queensland (5,000 people) as together we mourned the loss of two young rugby players in an automobile accident. The prayers of His people and God’s grace truly sustained me in this trying time and I am grateful to my prayer team and to Him.
I had specifically asked people to pray for “the Lord’s heart” in this matter—an unusual and spontaneous request (that I don’t think I have ever asked for in those words).
So, I was overwhelmed (on my second day...out on a family farm) when one victim’s grandmother came up to me and placed her hand on my chest, looked up into my eyes (with tears in her own), and said to me…”you have a good heart”.
I won’t go into details here. I have provided links below to “newspaper” accounts for more information (and photos) of the young men so that you can continue praying for their dear families.
News links regarding the Goondiwindi story…
http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,20193210-5003411,00.html
http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,,20183553-952,00.html
I had specifically asked people to pray for “the Lord’s heart” in this matter—an unusual and spontaneous request (that I don’t think I have ever asked for in those words).
So, I was overwhelmed (on my second day...out on a family farm) when one victim’s grandmother came up to me and placed her hand on my chest, looked up into my eyes (with tears in her own), and said to me…”you have a good heart”.
I won’t go into details here. I have provided links below to “newspaper” accounts for more information (and photos) of the young men so that you can continue praying for their dear families.
News links regarding the Goondiwindi story…
http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,20193210-5003411,00.html
http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,,20183553-952,00.html
Thursday, July 13, 2006
Kings' Academy Kids
I was asked by the Sydney Kings management to present "my message" to the Kings' Academy last Tuesday. I sensed the Lord's blessing in answer to others' intercession. I was introduced as a "part of the support team who is a tremendous help to the players off court with a lot of positive things to say about life and spirituality."
I used ball games, stories, and quotes from players to add some "zing" to a brief talk on the importance of developing your spiritual life to improve your game. I shared how I had made a commitment (at about their age) to Jesus as both "champion" and "teammate"...and encouraged them to give some careful thought to entering into a relationship with Him themselves.
Each of those (over 40) at the academy received a colourful booklet (Gospel of Mark) which included the spiritual journey stories of several sportsmen and sportswomen including the Captain of the Sydney Kings (Jason Smith).
There were several enthusiastic responses from young players in the cafeteria after the session...and more importantly (to me) a "Perfect!" evaluation from the Academy director. This was a special area of concern for me as I felt the tension of honouring and serving both the Sydney Kings (who trusted me with a half hour of time with these young charges) and the King of Kings (Who trusted me with a half hour of time with these young people).
Our next session (my fifth with the Kings) starts in 72 days, 17 hours, and 5 minutes. Can you tell I'm looking forward to the challenge?
Have you visited our Australian AIA website recently… http://austaia.net
I used ball games, stories, and quotes from players to add some "zing" to a brief talk on the importance of developing your spiritual life to improve your game. I shared how I had made a commitment (at about their age) to Jesus as both "champion" and "teammate"...and encouraged them to give some careful thought to entering into a relationship with Him themselves.
Each of those (over 40) at the academy received a colourful booklet (Gospel of Mark) which included the spiritual journey stories of several sportsmen and sportswomen including the Captain of the Sydney Kings (Jason Smith).
There were several enthusiastic responses from young players in the cafeteria after the session...and more importantly (to me) a "Perfect!" evaluation from the Academy director. This was a special area of concern for me as I felt the tension of honouring and serving both the Sydney Kings (who trusted me with a half hour of time with these young charges) and the King of Kings (Who trusted me with a half hour of time with these young people).
Our next session (my fifth with the Kings) starts in 72 days, 17 hours, and 5 minutes. Can you tell I'm looking forward to the challenge?
Have you visited our Australian AIA website recently… http://austaia.net
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