07.25.07
Fellowship of Christian Athletes Campus President, Emma Hustad, Joins Christian Tennis!
ICTA’s Pro Tennis Teammates, Rachel Snelen (WTA player) and Emma Hustad, in Paris at 2007 French Open on ICTA Visioneering & Foundation Laying Mission Trip.
Blessings to you all!
My name is Emma Hustad and I am a college student at the University of North Dakota where I am active in Christian ministry through the Fellowship of Christian Athletes as President; Campus Crusade for Christ / Athletes In Action as a bible-study leader; and the World-Wide Student Network reaching international students; Grace Baptist Church, and I play D1 tennis for the Fighting Sioux Tennis Team.
Emma Hustad and Rachel Snelen with ICTA Founder, Scott Paschal, in Normandy, France celebrating the 63rd Anniversary of WW II D-Day during ICTA Global Mission Trip to 2007 French Open.
But what’s more… I am a summer missionary on court serving hard through the International Christian Tennis Association in Florida. What an amazing few months it’s been! It’s beyond me- to look back and see how God in his faithfulness brought me here.
ICTA Women’s Pro Tennis Team at Christian Event. Emma (3rd left)
Well, why don’t we go back! Summer break was almost here and the dilemma began… How does God want to use Emma this summer? With so many great opportunities I felt challenged discerning through God’s plans for my summer in comparison to my plans and ideas for my summer.
Emma Hustad Training In Scott Paschal’s High-Performance Pro Player & Missionary Program.
If it were up to me, I would have worked around home… maybe taught some tennis… enjoyed vacation with my friends… and placed God in a neat, little comfort zone box on a 2 week Athlete’s in Action missions trip to Kazakhstan. This all was within my comfort zone.
The whole total-summer-long commitment to Florida / ICTA wasn’t something that neatly fit into Emma’s little box… and AIA was!! Dilemma almost solved… right?!
Not Quite! God had other plans.
Rachel Snelen and Emma Hustad Visiting Notre Dame in Beautiful Paris.
In challenging me through His word, He revealed to me a couple of examples that made biblical history. He showed me His will for living life in a way outside of my comfort zone that made less of me and more of Him.
Esther, for example, had a selfless attitude of “If I perish, oh well, I perish!” much like Paul’s sacrificial heart “to live as Christ – dying is gain!”
God really challenged me to lose much of me and my self-security, comfort, control, safety… to gain, thrive, and live abundantly in trusting and depending on His plan.
Emma Hustad and ICTA Christian Tennis Academy Students Playing a Board Game in Scott Paschal’s House.
So I took a leap of faith being comfortable in my uncomfortable-ness because my comfort was in God! Got that?!
I now find myself in Florida with Scott Paschal and the International Christian Tennis Association seeking, seeing, knowing more of Christ each day through the work- Eternal work, through ICTA missions to professional tennis tournaments in Texas, South Carolina, and Washington DC: people finding Jesus!
To ICTA amazing missions foundational work in Paris and Normandy, France during the 2007 French Open; to eye-opening experiences in Israel yet to come in August-
To daily training with WTA players up to three workouts a day! 2 on 1 tennis training, early morning footwork, strength training! To being daily discipled by ICTA founder, Scott Paschal, in his own home! To attending Student Life in Daytona, Florida as a special guest of David Nasser who speaks to over 700,000 people a year, and having the privilege to sit next to David’s wife.
To meeting people who came to know Christ through ICTA! To learning everything about ICTA and seeing God working faithfully through His servants! God is faithful!
Emma Hustad and Rachel Snelen at a castle Bed & Breakfast near Normandy, France.
All of which being His plans through the International Christian Tennis Association to make Himself known.
So, in some of the many dilemmas God has in your life right now… as a sister in Christ I’d like to challenge you to lose yourself, your plans –Be weak and be God’s!
For when you are weak, then He is strong!
Emma Hustad
07.20.07
ICTA Women’s Christian Pro Tennis Team Member, Shantel Tavita!
Dear Scotty,
It’s with pleasure and honor that I share with you the changes God has made in my life since I came to train with you at your Christian tennis program. I don’t really know where to start but I’ll try.
It was August 29th, 2006, when I was picked up from the Orlando airport after traveling for 24 hours from my home in Samoa.
The minute I stepped into the house, I was reminded of my own home because of the warm and hospitable welcome you showed me.
From that very first day, I knew God had placed me exactly where He wanted me to be. Everyday I felt more and more close to Him than ever before with all the discipleship trainings and fellowship we had.
It wasn’t only my faith in Christ that improved, but together with my tennis skills.
Though I was called the best female junior in my country, I came here so unskilled compared to your other students and you made me see it and then raised a new bar for me to climb.
Surprisingly, I stepped up my game to a totally new level and it is still rising. I really did not think I could improve further as I had not done so for a time but now I see I have a long way to still yet go.
The improvement I saw in certain ways was phenomenal and it built me up physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually. I saw the changes happen right before my eyes and was astounded by it. (Shantel 2nd from left with ICTA Pro Tennis Team)
Then I gained my WTA ranking and the prime minister spoke of me at the dedication of Samoa’s new tennis facility built for the South Pacific games. My parents were so proud.
Offcourt, you guided me to start reading books that really helped me through all the experiences I’ve had and to pinpoint where I stand.
Going on large ICTA mission trips or playing pro tournaments with my ICTA Pro Tennis Team teammates gave us the chance to minister to others about Christ.
During those times, I always had the thought in my head that I have a purpose in life. I was led here according to God’s plan and He put you in my life for a great reason.
You also helped me see what I lacked in and gave me advice on how to improve it.
After being with you in the academy program for a little over 3 months, I went home for Christmas holiday a totally new person. I was confident, motivated, stronger in my faith and happier than ever before.
My family saw the changes that I had seen. Changes in my behavior, character, personality, attitude, moods and everything they could point out that wasn’t there before I came to train with you in Florida.
Moreover, I shared with my Mom and Dad, and my family, about the leadership conferences where you took me and all the other students you coach, and other exciting events we attended, and how I got to listen to and meet some of the top speakers in the nation namely David Nasser and (name withheld), including the live performance by Third Day at Universal Studio down in Orlando.
I was so excited when I told them all about this. In fact, I was even more excited when I told them one of the most exciting news, Ana accepting Christ. But apart from Ana accepting Jesus as her Lord and Savior and renewing my relationship with Christ, it was earning my points to get a WTA professional ranking and inevitably, they were ecstatic.
I told them much more about the wonders God has placed in my life while in attendance in your Christian tennis academy program. I also got the chance to share the news to my pastor and others and they were grateful for the work you did and continue to do.
My holiday started off with joy, laughter, sharing, fun and positive aspects… but ended in turmoil. It wasn’t really clear to me what happened, but when I returned to Florida after Christmas break, I was not who I was before I left.
I came back with a negative attitude, low self-esteem, confused mind and other negative aspects.
Furthermore, I came back arrogant, prideful, intolerant and insensitive towards everyone in the academy especially Mel and Rach. As everyone knows I can become rebellious, I didn’t like being told what to do and so I acted insanely irresponsible with my actions, particularly on our mission trip to Mexico. Little did I know, I was hurting those who cared for me and those who sacrificed so much for my sake.
Although was excited from earning my WTA professional ranking in February 2007, I felt empty inside. It wasn’t a nice feeling at all knowing that I achieved something so rare in my country and at the same time lose one of the most important aspects of life and of being a Christian.
Then you opened my eyes once again and made me see what a stranger I’ve turned out to be!
So the decision was up to me, accept or reject.
I accepted and started appreciating everything you all did for me!
The impact you had on me made me feel, once again, encouraged, cared for, blessed and loved.
Being on this journey with you and everyone in the ICTA has greatly blessed me and it has brought me new meaning to fully live for God.
To conclude, I would like to convey my sincere gratitude to you, Scotty, and your hard work, your time, your effort, your words of encouragement, your positive influence, your patience and your love that you have shown me.
May the good Lord abound you with His blessings and continue to use you for His work.
Lastly, I want to share to everyone out there, that no matter what you’re going through, no matter how far you are from God, no matter who puts you down and discourages you, no matter how difficult it is to turn away from your struggles and despairs, whatever you think is not worth your life, let me tell you someone that I have come to lay my burdens on, put my trust in and look to for answers, “Jesus”. He is the solution to every problem you could ever think of.
Luke 11:9 “Ask and it will be given to you: seek and you will find: knock and the door will be opened to you.”
With great passion and love for Christ, I dedicate this testimony to those who are lost and seeking answers to their problems, to turn to Jesus. He will guide your every step and will deliver you from all your struggles. God has His purposes for you and all you got to do is believe in Him.
I leave you with one of my favorite bible verses:
Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”Shantel Tavita
WTA Ranked Pro Tour Player
Member ICTA Women’s Pro Tennis Team
Radio Show Producer from Australia, Luke!
From Australia with Love It is hard to put into words what the International Christian Tennis Association and Coach Scotty Paschal has done for me and my work. I can not talk about how he has helped me with my forehand, backhand, or physical fitness because I do not play tennis. Don’t get me wrong, I love the game but if Scotty saw me with a racquet in hand he would be embarrassed beyond belief. I serve like Michael Chang at the French Open after being injected with a general anaesthetic. I am however involved in Sports Ministry in the media and a few years ago I was searching for some people who might know something about different sports to spend some time on the radio chatting about those sports and I came across this ICTA. I emailed asking if somebody would talk about the pro-tour and I received a reply with the enthusiasm that we come to expect from Scotty. “Hi Luke, Sure we’d be thrilled to talk pro tennis with you on your program! I’m excited at the opportunity! The Australian Open is about to kick off the new tennis season in a huge way… it’s a great time to get started with a new weekly tennis broadcast.” Was the email that came on the 8th of January 2004. A few emails later and I was starting to doubt whether I was actually onto the winner that I first thought. An email from Scotty mentioned the ‘kids running him around the court’ and I had this vision of a sixty year old man coaching six year old kids and being excited to talk pro tennis just because it was a chance someone would listen to an senile old man’s ravings. Well, Scotty was not sixty and the kids were not six (I can’t argue against the senile though) and I truly ‘was’ on a winner. I planned to have someone talk about professional tennis; I got a friend, a mentor, and an accountability partner. We have had responses from around the world loving the chats with Scotty about tennis and the ‘passion’ that he has and the stories that he can tell, but the biggest gift has been his friendship. It was almost immediately that we had a bond but still nearly two years later we have never ‘physically’ met. We have never experienced a hand shake or a hug but we have actually met. We have met in our prayers and we have met in the encouraging words that have lasted weeks afterwards. We have met in a deep spiritual way that simply can’t be explained. Scotty loves God and everything that is of Him. He loves his players that he has a chance to guide and lead on and off the tennis court and he can love you as well if you give him half a chance. Scotty and the ICTA are not about tennis but about God and tennis is just the added fun that they have along the way. I love the image that I have of Scotty coaching the number one player in the world in a Grand Slam final when the cameras catch him communicating to his player during a match. An investigation forces them to try and work out what he was saying and they discover that they can’t fine him for breaking the rules because his words were actually, “tell them about Jesus’. Can you imagine John McEnroe’s reaction to that? Luke H. Senior Presenter/Producer; Australia
December 2005
Luke
International Christian Tennis Academy: Brittiny’s Mom, Lynn!
Britty and Scotty Paschal on an ICTA Global Mission Trip to the International Tennis Hall of Fame! This pic was taken during Rachel and Melody Snelen’s birthday party at Chili’s. Britty has been with us since 2002 when she was just 12 years old!
The International Christian Tennis Association has awesome coaches and role models for our daughter, Brittiny! They do not settle for second best. They have high standards and morals for our children to abide by. I love all of the coaches as if they are like my family. We even had the privilege to have one of the coaches come and stay with us here in Idaho for a visit from Florida a couple of years ago. She was such a joy to all of us. You truly are building relationships for a lifetime when you send you child to the ICTA. They care about the youth and where they are going in life.
Several years ago, our daughter, Brittiny, was online looking for a tennis academy and found the ICTA web site all by herself. Britt was ranked #1 G12 Intermountain and was interested in further developing her tennis game. I talked with Coach Scott Paschal and was awe struck how God once again puts people in our lives and we have no control over His ultimate plan.
We first met the ICTA coaches on our way to the 2002 USTA Super Nationals in Florida (which, by the way, ICTA is now a sponsor of!). We told them we had a layover in Dallas, where they were located at that time, and they met us at the airport. They told us on how they were moving to Florida and about the new facility and training opportunities. My husband and I talked and prayed about sending our then 11 year old to train with basically total strangers. She had never been anywhere without us before! We decided to let her go.
It was the best thing we could have done for her. Not only did they train her in tennis and her skills improved, but also missionary training, working for others not only for herself, learning to depend on God, and also became more responsible for taking care of herself. Mel and Rachel are like big sisters to Britt. The kind of role models you could only wish to have for your children. Coach Scotty is a super coach that knows how to fix your tennis problems within minutes after watching you play. He has been such a great mentor for us in guiding us in the direction to take our daughter.
One of my most favorite memories with the International Christian Tennis Academy is when I came to visit them in Florida and see my daughter while she was training. The ICTA had a room in the house ready for me to stay in which was so awesome. It is truly like one big family. I had the privilege of cooking a yummy dinner with them. It was so fun sharing those precious moments with everyone who was there. Everyone pitches in to help. No one is exempt from helping! This is another great thing the ICTA offers, actual life training, responsibility, working together, and cooking!
Another neat memory I have was when my daughter was playing a junior tournament in Florida at Coach Scotty’s tennis facility, The Player’s Tennis Club, where Coach Scotty was the General Manager. Britt was playing a beginning player. I mean a complete beginner! It was not an even level of play and instead of a 6-0, 6-0 match, which if you had one of those, they are very discouraging, Coach Scotty stopped the match before the first game was over and started a fun practice with both Britt and the other player, and turned what could have been a terrible experience into a positive for Britt’s opponent.
He did not want to see the other child loose heart and give up tennis, instead he encouraged her and left her feeling positive about herself and the sport. I have NEVER in seen anyone care so much.
The International Christian Tennis Association has given my daughter so many opportunities that we could have never been able to give her. We are so grateful to the ICTA and wish all fellow Christian tennis athletes could go there and train. Brittiny is now almost 15 and we send her to train with the ICTA and attend ICTA Global Mission trips at every opportunity we can.
What a gift from God! Thank you ICTA for all you do. I wish everyone knew how hard you all work to further the Kingdom of God.
Lynn Moore~ Idaho
8 Year Christian Tennis Association Volunteer: Joe’s Mom, Sue!
Happy Birthday to You! Sue Beck (3rd from right) with ICTA’s Melody, Joe, and Rachel during a birthday celebration in Newport, Rhode Island during ICTA Global Mission’s Newport 2005! Rach, Mel, and Joe have all celebrated their birthdays together for the last 6 years!!
My name is Sue Beck. As a mother of a young teenage boy, you pray that God will send positive role models, friends and opportunities into your son’s life to help him grow into a mature, successful upstanding adult.
The International Christian Tennis Association was just such an answer to prayer for my son Joe.
We first met Coach Scotty Paschal and the ICTA team when they were in Texas almost 6 years ago. We have been blessed to watch the ICTA grow and be blessed as it is develops into a more and more successful Christian tennis ministry.
Joe and the other tennis players are dedicated athletes who work hard to improve their tennis game and to share the gospel of Jesus Christ with others.
When I visit the team in Palm Coast, I am very impressed with the high performance tennis and fitness training, nutrition schedule, and with how much the kids love to grow as players and in their personal lives.
I love getting to know the players and I can see how Christ has touched their lives.
I have had the opportunity to travel on ICTA mission trips as a volunteer, and I am continually impressed with how enthusiastic the kids are to share Christ with others and to serve in the communities we visit. The mission trips are well planned and first rate.
Myself and the other volunteers feel fortunate to participate in such caring Christian volunteer work.
Any player who has the opportunity to train with the ICTA Tennis Academy in Florida receives a high level of tennis training under the direction of a caring and talented coach. I have personally seen many players attend Coach Scotty’s tennis academy and end up feeling much better about themselves and with an improved spark in their tennis game.
It seems to me that Coach Scotty has an ability to see just what needs to be worked on to help the player improve their game immediately. I have witnessed this personally over and over with ranked pro players and top nationally ranked international junior players.
He then works with them to establish a regular training schedule with their local coaches and a supporting nutrition regimen tailored to their needs to help them move even farther forward.
Coach Scotty cares about his players and establishes a long term friendship and working relationship with them.
Joe and the other players get to train in a moral and supportive environment that I have been very impressed with.
One of the things I really enjoy is watching ICTA’s Discipleship Training classes. What a blessing and a refreshing change from the tennis academy norm!!
The Christian teaching materials used are well written and are the same ones ICTA distributes on mission trips. When visiting, the parents of the students are actively involved and we all have such fun.
Some kids are so shy at first when they get up to share a little bit about how Christ has touched their lives, and others are born teachers that can’t wait for another opportunity to share Jesus with others! All students learn in this family friendly, Christian atmosphere!
Then they all head to the courts with revitalized spirits and a desire to work hard and improve their games so that they can use the talents they are blessed with to continue to travel to tennis tournaments to play hard and again have the opportunity to help bring others to Jesus Christ.
I highly recommend training with the ICTA for any player that has the opportunity. I also recommend that anyone whom feels impressed to help bring others to a knowledge of Christ take the opportunity to travel with the ICTA on a rewarding mission trip or travel tour!
The International Christian Tennis Association is changing the landscape for tennis on a global scale.
During the last 6 years I have seen God bless ICTA. The world we live in today must have an organization like ICTA, and many more like it in all sports.
I am proud to be associated with Scotty Paschal and the ICTA gang and to have been blessed to witness God’s mighty hand guiding this little sports ministry to international prominence and recognition.
Sue Beck, ICTA Tennis Mom and ICTA Volunteer since 1999!!
Christian Tennis Camps: David’s Dad, Brian!
December 22, 2005
Our Story,
“I am proud to say that the impact David received from this 6 week ICTA summer camp may very well have been the single most influential moments in his life. I thank God for Scotty and his vision to bring glory to the kingdom of God through great athletes and great individuals with great character.” Brian Crossland, Father of ICTA Summer 2005 Camper, David Crossland
God has had his hands all over our relationship with Scott Paschal and his sports ministry, the International Christian Tennis Association.
The more I think about all the ,”so called”, “coincidences”, about how my family and ICTA got together, the more I have to laugh and realize God has put this whole thing together despite us!
It all started earlier this year, in March of 2005, when my son David (then 13), and I went to Florida for some much needed R and R. We played a lot of tennis, hit the beach a lot, and ran into a poster one day with these words written on it, “NASDAQ 100″.
Well, having never been to a professional tennis event before and being quite interested, David and I decided to check it out. I kind of had to pull him along though…..you see, David would rather play sports than watch a sport any day. So, eventually we found ourselves at the event. After a while we were getting ready to head out, and we ran into Scotty and the other ICTA missionaries and at his booth.
Well, I was very impressed with his vision and heart for young, Christian athletes. I decided that I would stay in touch and just see what would become of this whole Christian tennis deal.
Well, we head home….2500miles away in Idaho…and got back into our daily lives and never really made any concrete plans to have David go to ICTA Camps because, after all, I didn’t really know Scotty and as much as you might want to, you really don’t want to just take a chance like sending your son away to a camp that you know virtually nothing about.
While home I remember Scotty telling me about a girl he coaches in Boise, actually one of the absolute top players in our state, who had come to ICTA’s camp often and that we should talk with her and her mom and see what they thought about the camp and so forth.
I couldn’t remember what Scotty said their names were, and in time completely forgot about even contacting anyone.
As it turns out… it was Lynn and Brittany Moore that he was talking about.
So, during a weekly tournament tune-up for juniors I came to pick up David from practice. I was just a bit early and as I came through the door of the Boise Racquet Club…a very sweet lady grabbed the door for me and looked me square in the eyes as I said, “thank you”, she said with a big smile, “You’re welcome.”
I knew that this lady was differentand. she had a glow about her that made me want to know more about her, and having not seen her around before….I took the initiative and began aconversation with her.
Well, I was so surprised to find out that she was Lynn Moore, the lady who had sent her daughter to ICTA that Scotty told me about!
She said sending her young daughter, Brittiny, to train with Coach Scotty and participate in all of the incredible ICTA Christian programs, was one of the best decisions they have ever made.
She could not say enough things about Scotty and how much he really cares about the kids.
Well, I guess you can say that I am a lot like that guy in the Kenny Rogers song the Gambler….because I have made a living out of reading peoples faces for the better part of my life (the last 11 years as a pharmaceutical sales rep). And one thing I knew was that this sweet lady was telling me the truth, and once I combined that with the feeling I got from Scotty, well, that was all I needed to hear.
I began to get David ready for ICTA’s Summer Camp ASAP.
Scotty could not have been more accommodating. Though ICTA’s camps were completely full, he remembered me and wanted to give my son the opportunity to come!
He made things so easy for David to come and be a part of a high performance tennis camp and the Hall of Fame mission trip that followed.
Not only did David learn a great deal of tennis, but he also grew in wisdom and in understanding. Unbelievably, my son trained with amazing players we do not have in our area, and in a Christian environment, then drove with ICTA Global Missions 1500 miles to Newport, Rhode Island!
He participated in daily Bibles studies, creative Discipleship Training classes that teach kids how to preach. At the Hall of Fame he watched top ATP players play on grass in the Campbell’s Hall of Fame Classic and trained every day for tennis in Coach Scotty’s tennis camps! It was so great and he still tells everyone about his experience with ICTA!
Granted, he is only a young 14 years old now…but, the things learned from Scotty and the others he carries with him to this day.
I am proud to say that the impact here received from this 6 week ICTA summer camp may very well have been the single most influential moments in his life. I thank God for Scotty and his vision to bring glory to the kingdom of God through great athletes and great individuals with great character.
I have to mention one more of the “coincidental” things that happened as I sent my baby boy… again only 13 years old … across the country for the first time… without his daddy….
When flying to Florida for his ICTA Summer Camp after he made his first connection on the plane in New Mexico …. David was sitting in his seat waiting for the plane to take off, the plane was almost full and there were just a few seats left when a nice young man and his father asked if they could sit next to David in the two empty seats.
Well, if you can believe this… it was Rob….one of the just 14 kids that were spending the next few weeks together at the International Christian Tennis Association! On the same plane as my son on his first flight without me ever!
Rob and his dad, Andy, had never met David before and never even knew about each other until they began to talk. David called me on his cell to tell me all about this!
I almost cried when I realized that my boy was truly in Gods hands!
I even spoke with Rob’s father. He put me right at ease as he told me he would make sure David made the transfers and everything on the way to Orlando.
There is so much more to tell but suffice to say…
I think the world of Scotty and the program and we are planning to send our son back to ICTA fulltime shortly.
Brian and David Crossland
Arik’s Parents, Rick and Carolyn!
Coach Scott Paschal,
Just want to say thanks for all you did for Arik during his recent time there. It was a great experience for him and we would recommend it highly to anyone. We of course had checked out everything prior and knew exactly what to expect.
He improved and gained much confidence in his game. But, that was only one of many positive factors from his experience.
Full time training for tennis at your Christian tennis academy is definitely a growing up experience… of which he did a lot of. We appreciate the spiritual emphasis knowing that everything is approached with a Christian attitude.
What a difference from the real tennis world.
One of the main things Carolyn and I appreciated was the lack of a tv, and the positive fellowship interaction he had with everyone from ping pong, to cards, to just plain talking. His communication skills have been much better since returning.
In addition, he has a much greater awareness of what routine he needs to be in to compete at his best. From hydration, to proper eating and the use of supplements, he has learned a lot about his body and how to better care for it.
It is amazing that you could accomplish this much in only nine weeks.
We realize your program is just in its earliest stages, and can’t wait to see how God grows International Christian Tennis Association. Thanks so much to Melody Snelen, Rachel Snelen, and Joe who are so dedicated to the ministry. Arik really enjoyed getting to know them as did we. They are so positive and great tennis players as well.
Hopefully we can work it out for Arik to return and spend more time with you soon. The experiences he had of staying with Chris Tomlin and David Nasser, hanging out at the Davis Cup and Nasdaq 100 Open, being on Roddick’s practice court, hitting right next to Moya, etc. are certainly things he will always remember.
We also appreciate you continuing to call and check on Arik. You’re a great boost to his morale, which 15 year olds seem to need a lot of.
The International Christian Tennis Association is a wonderful organization that is long overdue. Despite the expected criticism, which is bound to happen, it will succeed as long as you continue to put God first.
Carolyn and I pledge to help you in anyway we can including prayers, financially, and just moral support. Good luck and may God be with you.
For Him,
Rick and Carolyn Bartlett
Jon’s Dad, Ken!
Jon, second from left, pictured with Landon, Adam, and Marek at a Chris Tomlin concert being held outdoors at a church in Cincinnati, Ohio during our mission trip to the WSF&G Master’s Series Tournament.
Exceeding Abundantly Above All
My son Jon is a committed Christian who LOVES, and I mean LOVES, to play tennis. God has given him the desire and skills to compete in this wonderful game, and tennis has become a big part of our family’s world.
As Jon grew and kept up his interest, we began to pray for him, that the Lord would use him and his tennis for the glory of God. I used a book called “Prayers That Avail Much for Teens” by Germaine Copeland to help me focus my prayer using God’s Word and its wonderful promises as a springboard for boldly coming to God’s throne with our needs.
I had no idea where this was going. Jon was in a Christian school that offered no tennis, and his local tennis club instructors and camp weren’t Christian. We wanted Jon to be all he could be in regard to his tennis, but even more important to us was his commitment to follow Jesus as Lord. We didn’t want him to sacrifice his tennis for his faith, but we REALLY didn’t want him to compromise his faith for his tennis.
While we were on vacation I got an email from the International Christian Tennis Association that referred me to the http://www.christiantennis.net. Hmmm. A Christian Tennis camp? Why not try it out.
I called and got Scotty Paschal on the phone. (I found out later he had been asleep on the floor of a pastor’s study in Newport, Rhode Island while his group was on a mission trip to the pro tournament being held at the International Tennis hall of Fame!)
While he was exhausted, not only did he talk with me about Jon, but he thought he could fit him in for three weeks in July and August. What great news! Jon went to the ICTA camps for all three weeks and his life has been positively changed!
Jon’s first phone call home was to tell me how awesome it was with Coach Scotty and the ICTA gang in Palm Coast.
He loved being with the other young people there and he had just spent 2 hours working on a devotional to use at one of the tournaments. I was thrilled. If you had told me Jon was going to be this excited about devotions 2 months before, I wouldn’t have believed you. But here was the fact staring me in the face!
How was the tennis? I asked. Just great. He was hitting at least 1100 balls a day and working with a world class coach preparing him to compete at the International level. I couldn’t believe it at first. I did a couple of weeks later when he came home for a few days and blew me off the court!
Next thing I knew, Jon was off to Cincinnati with the whole ICTA crew for an ICTA large scale mission trip to the biggest men’s ATP tournament in the world. When I looked on the ICTA web site, my heart took a leap. Could this be true? There, listed under the heading “Missionaries” was Jon’s name.
There’s nothing in the world that could make me prouder of my son.
But he keeps on amazing me. He’s been accepted as a full time student this fall semester at the International Christian Tennis Academy, and is preparing for tournaments in California, Italy, Spain and France.
He’s helping out at Christian concerts and working with the other students and staff on designing art work for shirts and writing devotionals for sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ to tennis players and tennis lovers around the world.
What’s next? Who knows! But it will be great, I know. God gave me a verse that has just knocked me out. The key words are in the title of this testimonial. In the King James Version this verse tell us that God “is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think. I never understood just what that meant until the past few weeks. I’ve got my sites set too low! God’s plans for us are way beyond anything we can ask or think.
I looked up the words at www.hyperdictionary.com :
Exceeding: farbeyondwhatisusualinmagnitudeordegree; “anightofexceedingdarkness“; “anexceptionalmemory“; “Olympianeffortstosavethecityfrombankruptcy“; “theyoungMozart‘sprodigioustalents.
Abundantly: presentingreatquantity; “anabundantsupplyofwater“
Above: inortoaplacethatishigher
All: toacompletedegreeortothefullorentireextent
This verse just knocks me out, and I’m so glad that God gave it to me and showed me what it meant through the ICTA and its ministry. I don’t know what your thoughts are, or what you’ve asked of God or thought about your future. But this one thing I know: God is ABLE to do
Exceeding
Abundantly
Above
All
that we ask or think. This is mind boggling, but it is God’s Word, and if we stand upon it, God will surely exceed all we ask or think! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! .
Ken K
August 27, 2005
Christian Tennis Member: 8 Year ICTA Friend & Supporter, Breck!
Breck on an ICTA Global Mission during the Nasdaq 100 Open in Key Biscayne!
I’d like to share with you my 8+ year personal experience as being part of the remarkable story of Scott Paschal, the founder and President of the International Christian Tennis Association; and of Rachel and Melody Snelen who have dedicated over 6 years of their lives to the development of ICTA.
All three of them have overcome personal tragedy, but the story I want to tell is of their faith, hard work and perseverance in pursuing a dream of becoming tennis players, coaches and most importantly, leaders of a Christian tennis ministry which has encompassed the globe.
I became involved in junior tennis in Texas in 1995 when my family moved to Texas from California. My youngest daughter was doing well in junior tennis in California and she continued to excel when we got to Texas… holding the #1 state ranking in both 14’s and 16’s simultaneously in addition to her #11 G14 USTA national ranking.
She worked out at the Brookhaven Academy in Dallas, which is well-known for its excellence, and we traveled to junior tournaments all over the state and the nation. I got a thorough education in competitive tennis during this period, and I’ve continued to learn by competing in my age group here in Texas.
I don’t remember the first time I saw them, but Melody and Rachel worked out regularly at Martin High School in Arlington where I enjoyed playing with my tennis buddies after work and on weekends. We marveled at how skilled and diligent they were as they went about their various drills.
Unfortunately, their family situation didn’t allow them to work out at an elite academy like Brookhaven, or get much tournament experience. But they obviously loved tennis and worked at it as best they knew.
Soon, I began to notice Rachel and Melody with Scott at the same top level junior tournaments in which my daughter was competing.
Sometimes junior tennis parents and coaches don’t get along, probably because of an overzealous competitive spirit, but I worked at developing friendships with other parents and coaches. I noticed Scott did the same. So it wasn’t long before I was talking tennis with Scott and cheering for Rachel and Melody.
From Scott I learned of the long years he put in at various tennis academies and clubs, learning the game and how to coach from the best in the business. I benefited from his encyclopedic knowledge of the game.
I met Rachel and Melody’s father as his health was failing, and soon he passed away.
From Rachel and Melody I was aware of the abuse heaped upon them by their mother. (editor’s note… parenting while dealing with difficulties in life can be hard for some, for the last year the mother has worked towards developing a healthy relationship with Rach and Mel. Rach and Mel are amazingly forgiving, they are all to be commended.)
And I’ve seen them work, through it all, with unbelievable intensity to develop their tennis skills.
One of the things I learned during my journey through junior tennis is that tennis is a special activity. You can’t become a winner on the tennis court until you develop character, and once you develop character you’re a winner no matter what the score of any particular match.
By character, I mean all those qualities that we admire in people: hard work, honesty, obedience, unselfishness, a solid moral sense, and faith. Of course, you also need tennis skills and God-given athletic talent, but those alone won’t suffice.
Over the years I’ve admired Scott as he patiently taught tennis skills to Melody, Rachel and other students, but more importantly he has gone the extra mile to develop character in his students.
It’s a remarkable thing to watch Scott exercise his great gift as he teaches young men and women the skills they need for success on the tennis court and in life.
As this trio worked at tennis, and life, I also became aware of Scott’s, and by extension Rachel’s and Melody’s, dream of founding a ministry to spread their Christian faith through the sport of tennis.
Scott envisioned mission trips to all the major tennis tournaments, and a Christian-based tennis academy for aspiring tennis players of all ages.
I have to admit that at first I didn’t think there was much chance they would succeed. The leap from one coach, two teenagers and a couple of local students working out on high school tennis courts to a world-wide sports ministry and major tennis academy with world-class facilities, seemed impossible.
Money for simple living expenses was tight – where would the means for a ministry and an academy come from? My wife and I helped out where we could while we wondered how long they could go on.
Their faith that they would find the path seemed unfathomable to us.
Nevertheless, I worked with Scott as various opportunities came to light. At one point a tennis club in Ft. Worth that had been in bankruptcy was bought by a new owner, and I helped Scott put together a business plan for a bid to run the tennis programs there, with the creation of a junior academy in the future.
But Scott sensed that this wasn’t the right opportunity and didn’t submit the bid.
I didn’t understand why, but I’ve learned to be patient. Scott’s faith is remarkably strong, and he’s willing to keep to that faith when others question it. There were lots of other tempting deals. Scott would call me every now and then to tell me about bankrupt facilities that might be available, or opportunities in places like Greece, but none was right.
Before long, Scott and the twins were off to Palm Coast and the Player’s Racquet Club. Scott earned the job as General Manager and Melody and Rachel did everything from running the pro shop to stringing rackets.
The bottom line for this experience was that they established themselves in Florida, which we all know is the place to be for tennis, and mastered the details of managing and operating a tennis club, skills that I’m certain they will be grateful for in the coming years.
But, again, Scott realized that Player’s wasn’t on the path either. I don’t know where he gets the faith and courage to quit a job and follow a dream, but he seems to have a gift for obeying a higher sense of purpose.
Today, the path is becoming clearer as ICTA gathers members and supporters.
Wise and highly competent business and tennis professionals are lining up to help make Scott’s, Melody’s and Rachel’s dream of a world-wide Christian tennis ministry a reality.
There are still many miles to travel, but the dream is taking shape.
Mission trips to major tournaments, once a distant vision, are happening regularly.
ICTA membership, once confined to a handful of faithful here in Arlington, is booming.
It’s a wonderful story of faith and perseverance, but it’s not nearly complete. There is still a place in ICTA for everyone who would like share the dream and help make it a reality.
If you find this idea appealing, I strongly recommend you join the ICTA team and let Scott, Rachel, Melody, and the current members of the International Christian Tennis Association lead you into the future of tennis.
Breck Henderson
