By Chris Megginson, sports information director

CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. - Thirty-two representatives of the Campbellsville University Athletic Department are on their way to Costa Rica for a seven-day mission trip.

The group of coaches, athletic trainers, student-athletes and athletic department supporters gathered Thursday night, July 17 for a commissioning service in Powell Athletic Center prior to loading their United Coaches charter to Atlanta for their flight to San Jose, Costa Rica.

Ed Pavy, CU campus minister, led the group in their commission prayer but first shared some encouraging words for the group.

“Sports translates around the world. You guys have a wonderful opportunity to share Christ through something that is a passion of yours and that you're good at,” Pavy said. “Just be who you are. You don't have to know everything about everything … We know that the Spirit goes before us, and that whenever we open our mouths to speak, the Spirit is doing the work, we're just providing the conduit. The Spirit wants to change lives this week. Make yourselves available.”

Campbellsville University's athletic mission trip is in cooperation with SCORE International. During the week, coaches will coordinate clinics with local coaches in Costa Rica in universities and private schools in San Jose as well as working in orphanages, feeding the homeless and going door-to-door to spread the gospel.

Planning for the event began last May when Jim Hardy, assistant director of athletics, learned about another National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) and National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA) organized a department-wide trip for student-athletes. Hardy worked throughout the year to organize the trip, and now it's here.

“Now it's game time. This is the most important game of life. Let's have a great time and grow together,” Hardy told the coaches just before they loaded the bus.

Those going on the Costa Rica mission trip include from left: Front row — Jordan Alves, Matt Atwood, Scott Baughman, Lorri Hardy, Jim Hardy, Roraigh Yearwood and Chris Moyo. Second row — Hilary Lakes, Kelly Fathergill, Alexa Moore, Kelsee Molen, Meghan Roth, Vanessa Adkins, Samantha Port, Derek Port and Rusty Hollingsworth. Third row — Shannon Wathen, Randy LeBleu,Brandon Lakes, Kyle Caven, Alex Adams, Perry Thomas, Jaime Vernon, Larry Frisby and Adam Preston. Back row — Bryce White, Kenny Lawson, Hunter Cantwell,   Bryan Milburn and Brent Vernon. (Campbellsville University Photo by Richard RoBards)

The Coaches to Costa Rica mission trip will be the first for SCORE International where several different sports clinics will occur during one trip, instead of just one specific sport. It is also just one of many trips CU students, faculty and staff are taking this summer.

“I am excited about this trip and very pleased to see the strength of commitment to share the love of Jesus Christ through the mission outreach of our talented coaches at Campbellsville University,” Dr. Michael V. Carter, CU president, said.

“We are very grateful for a group of dedicated coaches and athletic staff who are committed daily to the transformation of lives through Jesus Christ. To see this many coaches from across so many sports come together for missions is humbling and inspiring to all of us at CU.

“These coaches are willing to follow the Great Commission to the ‘ends of the Earth.' My heartfelt appreciation goes out to each of them and their families as they make this sacrifice to serve others in the name of Christ!”

CU Athletics Director Rusty Hollingsworth and Hardy are among those representing Campbellsville on the trip.
“We are excited about the opportunity that has been placed before us to share our love of Christ, and our love for sports, with the people of Costa Rica,” Hollingsworth said.

“Our hope is to make a positive impact on their lives, but to also experience the community and collegiality of those we work with every day.”

It's Hardy's hope that the trip will not only make an impact now but lay the ground work for future athletic department mission trips.

“This can impact this athletic department for years to come, and that's what we're praying for,” Hardy said.

“We're very excited about what's going to happen and the kind of impact this kind of trip can have on these coaches, but more importantly the kids that come into this university and athletics.”

Campbellsville University is a widely acclaimed Kentucky-based Christian university with more than 3,600 students offering 63 undergraduate options, 17 master's degrees, five postgraduate areas and eight pre-professional programs. The website for complete information is campbellsville.edu.