Because of Him

Christmas Update 2011

Athletes in Action Miami
 
Christmas Update 2011 
    Jason & Jenise Burris (Zoe & Eli)                             Arlene & Steve DeBardelaben 
(Our Local AIA Team)
Dear family, friends and supporters, 

The year 2011 has been an adventure.  The University of Miami has a new Athletic Director, a new Head Football coach, a new Head Men's Basketball coach, and a new Head Women's Soccer coach.  Of course, each of these coaches bring their new assistants.  The old is replaced with the new!  Nothing is the same.  What a challenge. What an opportunity! What a responsibility! 

Steve and Arlene (pictured above) have had a presence on this campus since 1975, and Jenise since 1998 as an All American Track and Field athlete, but there is no place for entitlement in a situation such as this.  Instead, it becomes imperative to lay the groundwork that creates TRUST with our new coaches and their families, who are becoming our new friends. 

The U has had a constant thread of ministry for 35 years. Every coaching staff we consider new friends. We miss the coaches and their families who had become dear to us and have now been scattered to the NFL, NBA, and other Universities...our prayers are non-stop for them in their new assignments and in their continued pursuit of God.  

Presently, our mandate is to seek the welfare of the coaches & families we have been sent; and in their success, we have success.  Their success is building strong, character driven student athletes who learn what it takes to win on the field and to win at life! Our success is seeing each athlete introduced to a personal relationship with the living God who demonstrated HIS love for us in HIS Son,  Jesus Christ.  He is moving heaven and earth to draw us into a relationship with Him. Therefore, we become all things to all men in order to win a some.

We demonstrate our respect for new coaches and their leadership...and with time, TRUST grows. We never want to lose sight of our purpose here at the U.  What looked to be a meager year with lots of transitions proved to exceed all our expectations. We have experienced abumper crop of eager student athletes who want to pursue God with true authenticity.  Here's are some of our highlights in general... 

 

  • This summer we started this new Bible study with five, then fifteen, then twenty-five, then fifteen, then thirty...Now 45-55 Student Athletes crowd into our small home weekly for food, friends and Bible Study!    
  • 20 joined in a "focus group on dating".  After reading and discussing BOUNDARIES IN DATING for 3 weeks, these athletes created skits and gave personal testimonies of how their own dating lives had been effected. Their vulnerability was compelling!  
  • Women athletes committed to read THE JESUS STORY BOOK BIBLE along with the scriptural passages.  They met weekly in small groups to discuss and apply what they learned.  (May we suggest that this children's Bible is profound and makes a great Christmas gift for your families!) 
  • Baseball players meet weekly for Bible Study. One player opened his life to the LORD last spring. We met with him and a small group of his teammates throughout the summer.  This fall he requested to be baptized in a local church. This brought tears to his unchurched family as they watched this young man publicly proclaim his new life in his relationship with Jesus Christ. Another baseball player struggled with off season injuries. Through his pain and the encouragement of his grandmother, he has made Christ the "LORD" of his life; and has peace and strength he has never known before.
  • Our new football coach has included us in his circle of trust. We provide Biblical inspiration the night before the game; and individual prayers for most as they prepare to take the field on game day.  In those quiet moments in the locker room many young men experience the presence of the LORD before the team is exhorted and takes the field.    
  • Throughout the week we meet with student athletes and coaches One on One or in small groups.  In the food court, the players lounge, on our patio and at our dinning room table---young men and women are getting to know the LORD and His Word.  Learning to pray---confessing their sin, casting all their anxiety upon HIM, trusting Him for forgiveness, peace, provision, perseverance.  
  • Our friends with the MIAMI HEAT---the security guards, the athletic trainers, equipment managers, and others are all under affected by the NBA lock-out.  It has been a tough time for everyone involved.  Pray for us to know how to minister to these players, coaches, and event workers in light of the situation that now exist  
  • The world has come to us. Swimmers from Egypt & South Africa. An Olympic qualifying diver.  A two time American Olympic sprinter. Student athletes from all across the USA have come to Miami to meet our LORD JESUS CHRIST!    
  •  
    Thank you for all your prayers and investments in this ministry.  Your partnership with us is essential.
    		•

    Burris FamilyThanks for

    supporting the

    Burris Family!
    You have been so gracious to us over the years to us and for that we give thanks to the Lord!  If it's your desire to partner with us in ministry---monthly, or to make an end of the year gift---know that it is needed and greatly appreciated!  

    Please make your check payable to:
    Campus Crusade for Christ
    Jason & Jenise Burris (Staff Acct. 0551224)
    Mail to:
    Campus Crusade for Christ
    PO Box 628222
    Orlando, FL 32862-9841

    Or if you prefer, Visit our giving site 

    I'm Thankful For:

    So I've taken being thankful a further step by sitting down to reflect on how good God has been to me and then making a very small list using the word Thanksgiving!

    This is what I came up with:

    T—Time in this life. Not a day or moment is promised to me and is limited so God give me wisdom on how to use it!

    H—Health—we are all healthy & that's not taken for granted. Although I've had seizures, I am living in health and God sustains me

    A—Answered prayer for so many requests! God hears my prayers and the prayers of his people!

    N—Never ending Love, Thanks for the sacrifice of Jesus and your persistent love towards me!

    K—Kindness during this holiday season. I love the open hearts and desire people have to help others. God I look forward the ways I,we and others will give generously of their time, energy and resources.

    S—Scripture---who can underestimate the power of the Word in our everyday lives. Thanks, Lord!

    G—God’s faithfulness in providing all we need on every occasion—even if it comes in unconventional ways!

    I- individuals who support us financially. May God redeem people and athletes to himself through us.

    V—Victory in hard times. God promises that we are “more than conquerors”—even when we don’t feel like it.

    I—Intercessors—those who pray for us and for God's work to happen at UM and in the world.

    N—New people coming into the Kingdom, into a relationship with Jesus. We've seen God grow our Aia group this year and draw people to himself.

    G—Good, healthy, available food. In many places poverty is a sad reality. I pray for God’s provision for our ministry and purpose to spread effectively and those to whom we reach.

    Of course there is much more to be thankful for but this is a start. Let me know what your list is!

    Jb

    Critical Mass

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    P25

    I went a ride I'll never forget today. At about 7pm I got off the metro rail and joined hundreds of bikers to ride through the city.

    This is by far the best way to cruise the streets & see the city of Miami. It's this thing called Critical Mass that happens the last Friday of every month.

    The ride was an hour and I hope to see more of my friends join the ride and meet people. What an incredible way to meet others and share my faith.

    Thanks Keas for the invite!!!

    Posterous theme by Cory Watilo