Be encouraged as you read through how God has used you, AIA staff, and sport to continue drawing people to Jesus.
A MESSAGE FROM THE NATIONAL DIRECTOR
As the year 2025 comes to a close, I can’t help but reflect on these past twelve months and what 2026 may have in store for you, me and God’s Kingdom here on earth. I continue to sense a deeper yearning for the answers that only Jesus can give and see a strong movement of the Holy Spirit not only in our country but around the world.Last year, we stepped into our 50th year with a renewed sense of purpose, passion and belief that sport is truly one of the most powerful ways to share the gospel. God is using AIA staff and volunteers in mighty ways as He leads them to join where His spirit is already at work. We have seen doors open that have previously been closed, vibrant movements where there was only a flicker and hearts being transformed by the grace and love of Jesus.The presence of AIA is giving boldness and confidence to other believers to step out and share their faith. Providing opportunities for people to talk and explore faith in Jesus - where the spirit has already softened hearts.Like in Germany this past Summer, where AIA staff helped 8 Canadian Christian athletes learn they were all on the same Spiritual team. And how a camper’s heart at an overnight volleyball camp went from spiritually closed to the gospel to opening up to learn more about who Jesus is. Or how a university athlete realized how they were created in God’s image and not defined by sport.And all of this is happening because humble servants are being obedient.You are being obedient as your compassion and heart for those who do not yet know Christ drives you to sacrificially give. AIA Staff are being obedient to their calling as they endeavor to be ambassadors for Christ in the world of sport.As we look to the future, we are presented with an opportunity to step onto the world's biggest stage of sport - the World Cup. We know that this next year will continue to create a wave of impact as we change the spiritual climate of Canada and around the world.May His kingdom come,DavePS. As Christmas approaches, I once again ask you to pray for how the Lord may be leading you to bless our staff and provide for their needs. In the words of the Apostle Paul, I know that the same God who takes care of my needs will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus. (Phillipians 4:19)
“Please continue to pray for us. Every time we feel God leading and step out in faith I have such confidence that we are doing the right things, at the right time in the right places. May this continue to be so.” - Dave Klassen
ACTION CAMPS - FROM ARMS CROSSED TO AN OPEN HEART
At an overnight volleyball camp this summer, a heart softened toward Jesus. Her name is Hazel.Hazel was disengaged, even resistant to faith. Coaches noticed her arms crossed as she stared into space, not engaged in teaching or training. During the first small group night, she made no eye contact and didn’t participate in the discussion.On the second night, with hands folded and gaze softened, she spoke. Hazel shared that she liked comparing herself to others as a means to get better — the exact opposite lesson from the day — to not put our identity in our performance, but in Christ.The third night, Hazel joked with the others, even cracked a smile, and when it was time to get into the content from the day, she shared some challenges she had at home. Struggles with God.Despite being completely closed off and disengaged just three days prior, she felt safe enough to share. The other girls nodded along, eyes fixed on Hazel.At the end of the week, Camps and Clubs Director Jason visited the camp and asked Hazel about her highlight from the week. “Small groups and all the conversations we had”, she said. “I felt safe enough to share my family’s struggle with faith.”At the end of the week, the campers were asked to fill out a comment card with their feedback on the week. On Hazels?“I want to learn more about Jesus.”What an answer to prayer!
At the same camp, five other young people made commitments to follow Jesus. Most of the 28 young people from Christian families, yet wrestling with whether or not to continue in the faith of their childhood, the faith of their family.AIA Camps Staff Scott Turner reflected. “Many of the kids had breakthroughs spiritually and visibly became lighter and freer as they engaged through the week.”Thanks to your partnership in the Gospel, young people like Hazel hear the good news of Jesus and are being given the space to process doubts, ask questions, and find spiritual support and guidance at critical times in their lives.
Summer Camps Impact
At 81 Camps in 40 unique cities, 3,068 campers heard the Gospel45% of campers (1,380) were brand new to AIA Camps175 campers chose to follow Jesus for the first!234 Coaches and Volunteers were trained in how to share their faith
And in case you missed it, find out what Dave Klassen - AIA's National Director - wants to share with you today.
FINDING FAMILY WITHIN THE TEAM
The presence of AIA is giving boldness and confidence to believers to step out and share their faith.Who would have thought it would take a trip to the 2025 World University Games in Germany for Canadian athletes to discover something even greater than competition? A spiritual family.Before the Games, AIA staff messaged Canadian athletes — they had never met — to see if they were interested in connecting while in Germany for prayer and support.Kenneth, a Long Jumper who graduated from Western, was one of those athletes who had just connected with National Campus Director, Kev Cuz, about meeting up in Germany. When he walked up to meet Kevin in person for the first time, he couldn’t believe it.Standing with Kev, he saw two teammates. And with other AIA staff, more of his teammates, who he didn’t know were followers of Jesus. He had no idea of their faith. He only knew them from seeing them on leaderboards and social media.Because of the AIA staff team’s initiative and presence mixed with God’s divine orchestration, they found 8 Canadian athletes were following Jesus.
In Kenneth’s words, “Meeting each other kicked off conversations about our fears, goals, and encouraging each other in our faith. I didn’t feel alone anymore.”“I had already made a commitment to God before talking to Kevin that my faith was going to be my focus and why I compete in track. It’s a very performance-driven environment, so coming into competing in Germany on an elite team, the temptation was to fit in, to perform well, and not think about anything else.But I knew God brought me here for a purpose. It wasn’t random. I had so much help from different places to pay for me to get here.”They were filled with so much joy and excitement that their track teammates were brothers and sisters in Christ, and they immediately began meeting, praying, and encouraging each other in their outreach to teammates.The encouragement from his spiritual family spurred Kenneth to continue sharing God’s love with his roommate after a particularly difficult conversation about faith at the Games. He reflected, “If I didn’t talk to Kev and other athletes, I would have wanted to just leave the conversation with my teammate right where I left it.” But he didn’t. His roommate accepted an invitation to join him at Alpha (an event to explore faith) and remains interested in exploring the Christian faith."Even during the hectic moments in Germany, it was encouraging to have a group of people I could talk to in the quiet times, who reminded me why I do my sport and gave me a refreshed sense of purpose through Jesus."- Wesley Eze, FISU Team Canada Track Captain
GLOBAL SPORT TOURS IMPACT
You helped us send 19 athletes and 27 staff from 8+ different countries on 3 Sport Tours in 2025In Seychelles, Germany, and SE Asia, 825 people heard the gospel and 50 people committed their lives to Christ
And if you haven't had a chance, take a look at some AIA ministry highlights shared by AIA's National Director Dave Klassen.
HE BELIEVED IN A "HIGHER POWER"
At the University of Alberta in May, student-athletes from across Canada gathered for AIA’s infamous National Training Camp (NTC). For Gavin, it was a turning point.Coming into the University of Guelph as a first-year and track athlete, Gavin had no idea his life would be upended eternally.Gavin shared his experience with God growing up. “My family attended church on major holidays because that’s what everyone did and believed in “a higher power”. It was what I would now consider lukewarm, and my upbringing never really touched upon taking that next step towards Jesus and fully devoting my life to God.”Despite his upbringing, Gavin connected with other student-athletes grappling with faith and their own journeys with Jesus every week. He experienced something different with this group, something he wanted more of. Gavin grew in his time with AIA, and was ready to go deeper in his faith.In May, he felt prompted to attend NTC and he’s no longer the same.“Obedience and worship towards Jesus and fully giving my life up to Him were something that NTC and AIA really drove home and impacted my faith on a deep level.”This year, athletes dug into the concept of spiritual identity: the reality that we are created in God's image and empowered by His Holy Spirit living in us to create, serve, and redeem.Because of partners like you, athletes like Gavin are discovering an identity anchored in Christ, not sport. And are carrying that transformation and message of hope to their teams, campuses, and communities.
CAMPUS IMPACT
Student-athletes are being discipled on 38 Campuses31 student-athlete leaders from across Canada are meeting online weekly for faith + sport training, encouragement, and prayer8 NEW campus ministries started this year!
And if you haven't had a chance, take a look at some AIA ministry highlights shared by AIA's National Director Dave Klassen.
Don't forget to turn on the volume on for sound!Watch Kevin share the impact God made through the AIA Canada team at the Indian Island Ocean Games in Madagascar this past August!
If you didn't get a chance to read my last email of a beautiful full-circle story and ministry needs for 2023, it's linked below. You can read how you can help us the gospel where many have not heard.
A CHRISTMAS MESSAGE FROM DAVE KLASSEN
There are 84 missionaries fulfilling their calling through AIA. Your kindness and compassion plays a big part in allowing them to impact lives with the gospel.
LET US KNOW WHAT IGNITES YOUR HEART
How did you first hear about AIA?
THANK YOU FOR SHARING HOW YOU ARE DOING
Thank you for your honesty and vulnerability. I will be praying for you, our loyal donors, and our staff as we continue to press in and press on.If you could also pray for our leadership, our staff and that AIA would continue to help athletes know Jesus, I would greatly appreciate it.- Dave