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
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
