July 25, 2007

Fellowship of Christian Athletes Campus President, Emma Hustad, Joins Christian Tennis!

Posted in Accountability, Christian Pro Tennis Player, Christian Tennis, Discipleship, Emma Hustad, Fellowship, Friendship, ICTA College Tennis Success Stories, International Christian Tennis Academy, Love, Rachel Snelen, Scott Paschal, Teamwork, Tennis Ministry at 4:37 am by scottpaschal

 

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

July 20, 2007

International Christian Tennis Academy: Brittiny’s Mom, Lynn!

Posted in Accountability, Christian Pro Tennis Player, Christian Tennis, Discipleship, Fellowship, Friendship, International Christian Tennis Academy, Love, Rachel Snelen, Scott Paschal, Teamwork, Tennis Instruction at 6:34 pm by scottpaschal

 

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!

Posted in Accountability, Christian Tennis, Discipleship, Fellowship, Friendship, ICTA College Tennis Success Stories, International Christian Tennis Academy, Love, Scott Paschal, Teamwork at 6:29 pm by scottpaschal

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!

Posted in Accountability, Christian Tennis, Discipleship, Fellowship, Friendship, International Christian Tennis Academy, Love, Scott Paschal, Teamwork at 6:28 pm by scottpaschal

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

Jon’s Dad, Ken!

Posted in Accountability, Christian Tennis, Discipleship, Fellowship, Friendship, International Christian Tennis Academy, Love, Scott Paschal, Teamwork at 6:23 pm by scottpaschal

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“; “theyoungMozartsprodigioustalents.

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!

Posted in Accountability, Christian Tennis, Discipleship, Fellowship, Friendship, International Christian Tennis Academy, Love, Scott Paschal, Teamwork, Uncategorized at 6:20 pm by scottpaschal

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

International Christian Tennis Association: Brent’s Dad, Jim!

Posted in Accountability, Christian Tennis, Discipleship, Fellowship, Friendship, ICTA College Tennis Success Stories, International Christian Tennis Academy, Love, Scott Paschal, Teamwork at 6:17 pm by scottpaschal

Hi Scotty,

It was very good to here from you. Great minds must think alike! I was thinking of you guys just last week.

There is a syndicated morning radio show out of Birmingham called the Rick and Bubba show. Bill or “Bubba” came to the courts to hit some and started watching Brent run me all over the place. He started asking questions about Brent and his history.

I told Bill how Brent started playing tennis later than he should have but got a unbelievable boost to his game by attending International Christian Tennis Association for 6 months. Basically his being competitive @ #1 his senior year in High School and his current college scholarship are all because of Scotty Paschal and his team at ICTA.

I told him also of the life change everyone has seen in him and how I owe you guys so much.

Bill is a Christian and does not hide it on his show. He is also a friend of David Nasser’s, and since you and David are such good friends it would not surprise me in the future to here you guys mentioned on his show.

He has taken a big interest in Tennis. I was wearing one of your T shirts during my thrashing by Brent and my conversation with Bill. I actually wore the guy playing the tennis racquet like a guitar to work Friday.

Brent is continuing to make positive strides. I think you know the story of how he went to school all last summer to pass his exit exams to get
into college. He called me two weeks ago to tell me he made a b- on his English mid term.(another Scotty success story)

He has never called me about grades in his life and I am not kidding. I was shocked.

He has already finished his requirements for math, he finished with a high B. He has a high C in economics. Who is this guy? The positive changes you have instilled in his life are nothing short of a miracle.

He started as number 6 on his college team and is currently #5. He has beaten the #4 player (a sophomore) once. He must win 2 times to be able to advance up. Hopefully he will get his second win this Friday.

The last woman’s ITF $25,000 tournament Pelham hosted was fun but needed your two special ICTA twins, Rach and Mel, to push it over the top. I think people are tired of hearing me talk about them. I think they can compete.

I am proud of Rachel for getting that WTA point in Mexico on her ICTA Pro Team Mission Trip. I want to see both of them on TV one day!
Same with all of your guys.

What a great bunch you have surrounded yourself with!

As usual tell everyone hello. Words do not do justice for what ICTA means to me.

Jim Bozeman

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