Fall 2006
TEAM JAM . . . Jesus’ Athletic Ministry
johnsaucier@teamjam.org
www.teamjam.org 1005 Alden Drive, Streetsboro, Ohio 44241 Office: (330)626-2614 c-(330)352-4231
FOUNDER / DIRECTOR
John S. Saucier
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Tim Loney -
Chairman
TRBL Mktg, Columbus,O
Dan
Cagwin
Warrensville Hts. Police
Marshall
Jennings
Jennings Htg.and Air, Akron
Joe
Lazor
Lazor & Associates, Medina
John E.
Saucier
Retired, Medina Teacher
Kevin
Sunde
Owner, MGM, Medina,O.
John
Wells
Director, Progressive Cas. Ins.
Marshall Jennings and Tim
Loney keep score at King James tourney
Sample of Shawn Lazarus’
testimony card
ADVISORY BOARD
George Barna
Barna Research, LTD.
Rev. Dave
Cunningham
Springfield, Illinois
Rich Dauer
Colorado Rockies Coach
Bob
Dehart
Retired,Bridgestone/Firestone
Tim Drew
Professional Baseball
Rob
Eggers
Former Indiana U. basketball
Pat
Gould
Deloitte & Touche
Terry
Lawrence
Sales, Kings Medical, Hudson
Shawn
Lazarus
Former U. of Michigan FB
Andy McCollum
St. Louis Rams
George Mitchell
Owner, DiscountFence.com
Jimmy
Oliver
Pro Basketball, Europe
Mike Rupp
New Jersey Devils, NHL
Jim Smith
Retired, Ohio Highway Patrol
APPARENTLY $9.39
(A DAY) WAS ALL WE NEEDED !!
Recently, former Michigan U. football player Shawn Lazarus contacted a famous college opponent who had reached national embarrassment. The cost of this life transforming discipleship opportunity? - a 39 cent stamp.
A year ago we talked about how two foundations that had approved large grants for multiple facilities and employees. Though they pursued US for our proposal, they never amassed the funds necessary to distribute.
God, however, gave us many similar opportunities without any additional financial resources !!
For example, our “kids” are growing up!! Instead of hiring several staff members, active athletes are already ministering. Through the production of “trading cards” with player testimonies on the back side, our athletes are representing Christ to fans/groups that desire to hear them speak. Baseball players have the greatest opportunity to minister because of the 200 exhibition and regular season games played in numerous cities. Each of our 9 athletes profiled, received 5000 cards to distribute in cities all over the country. Our cost to provide these cards amount to less than $1/day per athlete, or $9 a day for this entire “staff”. The cards also direct fans to the TEAM JAM website.
With all the tragic stories of human suffering around us, it’s hard to feel worthy of accepting the donations that we receive! But rest assured, we are in the business of saving souls and changing lives to prevent many of these social ills BEFORE they happen - while they are still changeable and affordable. So please continue to give the “lion’s share” of your generosity to those ministries who deal with crisis’, but also do me the favor of saving 39 cents for one more stamp for us and we’ll make sure we disciple a young man to be a man of God who serves society.
FEATURE STORY – Chad Mraz
Chad and his family have been involved with TEAM JAM since our origination in 1991. No family has witnessed more aspects of TEAM JAM than the Mraz’. Chad first played on one of our junior high teams as JUST a 4th grader! His older brother Kyle was one of the two key figures on the original teams (the other being Ryan Faulkner) starring for Revere HS, and earning a scholarship to Cedarville College.
Chad played four years of varsity basketball for Akron St. V- St. M., starting all four years, playing in a regional championship before LeBron James arrived and two state championships and a state runner-up finish with LeBron. Chad’s junior year was derailed by torn knee ligaments and had reconstructive surgery, yet he came back to play both basketball and baseball his senior year.
While in high school, Chad led his classmates spiritually by frequently inviting John (Saucier) to speak to the team and visit other students at lunchtime. Simple conversations led several of his friends to ask Christ to be their Savior or renew their relationship with Him. Among those were Mike & Ryan Hurley (state champ wrestlers)
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After graduation, Chad went to Geneva College on scholarship,excelled for two years, and then transferred to play at Akron U. graduating this summer. |
Chad was also unselfish enough to initiate a charity golf outing for TEAM JAM. The outing also gave several ministry participants a chance to enjoy a reunion. His efforts resulted in several thousand dollars being raised for our ministry. It’s tremendously rewarding to benefit from this unselfish service from young men like Chad so that we can continue to help others.
TEAM JAM HEROES
Mike DeRienzo (Hudson) is a chaplain in the United States Army, and is presently serving in Iraq. He and his wife Debbie are parents of a pre-school aged daughter. Chad and Craig Shenkle (Dubois, Pa.) are also serving in the U.S. Marine Corps. Chad is already in Iraq with Craig heading over in a few weeks. The Shenkle men are nephews of John and Pam Saucier. Andy Scott (Medina) is already a U.S. Army veteran who has been serving in Afghanistan. Please join us in praying for these men daily.
SUPPORTERS: West Hill Baptist Church has faithfully supported us as missionaries since we began in 1991. They recently DOUBLED their monthly support for us. Their prayers and friendship have been of great benefit. Hope Community Church in Hudson has faithfully supported us monthly since 1999. Hope serves as our home church and helps us follow up the youth we reach in our own community. Medina First Baptist Church has been our most generous supporter for the past decade. John grew up there and has partnered with them for a number of outreach efforts over the years. In His Steps Foundation has supported us with financial gifts that fund special TEAM JAM projects the past several years, including the production of our testimony cards of TEAM JAM athletes. George & Nancy Barna (author, Barna Research) have significantly mentored and financially supported us through several developmental steps. We benefit from their familiarity w/numerous international ministries and organizations.
PARTNERING MINISTRIES
The Divine Soldiers ministry has grown to include a full live band and is no longer limited to their original rapping performances. They now deliver “hip hop”, “R & B”, and lead top quality worship. Their ministry leads hundreds of teens to Christ annually. This year they were featured on opening night at places like the “ALIVE Festival”, “The Riot” in Cuyahoga Falls, the Chapel in Green, and the youth at House of the Lord (Akron). In Jan. they will perform at the National Gospel Hip Hop Awards. Get their third CD from us called ‘Feature Presentation”.
Josh
Bostick, Coach Huggins, O.J. Mayo (Mr. Basketball) & Brandon Wallace.
Dru Joyce continues to run NEO Basketball (neobasketball.com). This year he hosted the King James Basketball Classic. Boys teams from all over the country played in Akron area gyms one April weekend. The senior boys championship game was played on national TV in front of a couple thousand fans and participants. Our volunteers served throughout the weekend and, with the Divine Soldiers, were given exclusive opportunity to minister to the fans throughout the championship game. Matt Gsellman continues to run the Christian Youth Hockey Organization that he started two years ago and has expanded to three youth hockey teams representing different age levels and skill. They regularly make a strong showing and have won a couple of tournaments.
. . . Aiding parents, schools and the community in developing youth – since 1991