Serving as a Chaplain at the Olympics

All things change; nothing abides. Into the same river, one cannot step twice. Heraclitus

This past September during our Global Leadership Council director, Ben, announced his transition. Ben has been journeying this year with his dear wife, Susie, in her battle against a cancerous brain tumor. Her treatment has gone super, she delivered a beautiful baby girl, Annie, in July and they need more time together as a family! Change is never easy but under Ben’s leadership, our team has grown tremendously in our relationships, processes and priorities. We are in a good place at this time of change!


The process was begun this summer to seek the Lord to give a new leader to our Global Leadership Council. Enter Larry and Debby Thompson! Larry and Debby joined Campus Crusade staff in the early 1970's after graduating from Mississippi State University. Little did they know at the time that Larry's experience on the football team and Debby's experience as a cheerleader would prepare them for an Athletes in Action assignment!

AIA Global Leadership Council celebrating at the Thomas' home

The Lord has used them greatly in His kingdom work. In 1977 the Thompsons went with their infant daughter to live in Poland behind the Iron Curtain and minister there in the midst of the Cold War. From 1977 through 2009, the Thompsons served in various leadership capacities related to Eastern Europe and Russia. In 1992, Larry was named the Director of Affairs for Eastern Europe and Russia, with the responsibility of building and leading national ministries in this part of the world. 

They lived in Poland, West Germany and Hungary during those years. After 33 years, as they transitioned the Director role to national leadership in 2009, the Lord had raised up 1,200 staff members in 20 countries during their watch, significantly using the Thompsons in the process. Pray for our team in these days of transition and change. Ben and Susie will be seeking the Lord for their next AIA assignment. We are thrilled to have them to lead our team and know that our vision to see Christ followers on every team, in every sport and in every nation is still our north star! They will transition to Ohio hopefully before April 2013.

Much love and appreciation, 

Daddy, will I eat all the ice-cream I want?

Josue went to the hospital this evening and will go through tonsils surgery tomorrow morning God willing.

Lidia is with him and Lucia, Samuel and I are missing them already. Josue has really struggled with those big balls bothering him to breath & swallow. We hope and pray everything goes well and the only thing he remembers is all the ice-cream he'll be eating the next few days.

Thanks for your prayers!

Ruben