Events and Sports Camps
Besides the projects AIA organizes inspiring events to motivate youth to make a difference in their community and build them up in their faith to a more personal relationship with our Saviour Jesus Christ. Youth can participate in one of our sports camps, a unique blend of high level sports training, personal growth and discipleship for teenagers, ages 12 – 15.
Sports Camps
Over the last six years more then 900 youth between the ages of 12 to 15 have attended one of AIA Holland’s Sports Camps. During these camps 80 to 90 percent of those in attendance have made decisions to follow Jesus, making this one of the most fruitful ministries of AIA.
Our philosophy is to organize participants into teams of six to eight people where they receive individual attention from two sports coaches. These coaches are with their team not only during the sports training, but throughout the entire day as they sleep in the same cabin, eat meals together with them, and attend evening programs that are high-energy services dealing with life and faith called ‘Teen Parties’. It is this intentional interaction that allows the coaches to share their lives with their players and allows the players to personally and intimately experience Jesus.
Over the last six years our sports camps have grown almost 500%. Since the minimum age of most projects is 16, a significant number of sports camps youth grows into the sports ministry of AIA Holland and into our leadership development training program. Sports camps is a fertile soil for spread of the gospel and for the future growth of our ministry.
Events
Events, otherwise known as conferences, take place throughout the year. In addition to a Spring Event (April) and Fall Event (October of November), directly preceding the summer projects we prepare the teams in two Summer Events (July). For young leaders we host a Leadership Event early in the year (February).
Our events serve the purpose of empowering our youth, training team members and team leaders and building up young people in their relationship with God. Events are characterized by Biblical messages, a great atmosphere and a good balance between heart (worship, inspiring services, prayer), head (workshops, information about projects) and body (sports and outreach). Typically we see about 20% of those in attendance dedicate their lives to Jesus for the first time.
During an event services are held in the evening, with praise and worship, challenging speakers and an invitation to surrender one’s life to Jesus. In the morning there is time for devotionals, sharing personal stories in small groups and spending time alone with God. In the afternoon there are workshops on various topics (previous topics include ‘Witnessing to Muslims’, Drama or ‘How to Give a Good Sports Clinic’) and sports programs or sports outreach.
