Friday, June 22, 2007
Thanks for Asking
Hope you like these recent pics! Most are from yesterday. I'm really enjoying watching God work in the lives of these tennis missionaries which are invading my house, blessing my life, and claiming a spot in my heart here in beautiful Palm Coast, Florida!
Each young person has a really unique personality and each has come to really bond with the others, which is so rare in today's world! From these close bonds they learn trust and are willing to let others into their worlds.
Where are the students I'm working with this summer from?
Ukraine... Australia... USA... Trinidad... Samoa... and Mexico. The majority of my wonderful kids I've been blessed to coach and mentor have parents who are in ministry... pastors, worship leaders, church planting missionaries.
I am always amazed at the incredible difference between secular parents and Christian parents in ministry. The respect given to me, to their children, and to the other students by these rare individuals is so special and different. I'm blessed and my little Christian tennis academy is blessed.
God is blessing my upcoming plans as well. This is an important time in my life. When I began ICTA back in 1999, I gave myself 10 years to learn about ministry. To see if I could be used by God to make any kind of positive difference for the Kingdom. 8 years later I'm still in ministry and God has blessed every step.
I didn't know if I would last this long as I'm just like most of you, full of faults and have never been to seminary. I was pretty much an ignorant moron my first few years in ministry and spent a lot of time with my foot in my mouth as I battled my pride and my need to do it all on my own. Well, I lived through the first 8 years and have 2 years left.
As I said, this is an important time in my personal ministry. I've put off having a family, I've put off making $, I've really sacrificed everything that most people don't sacrifice... and now I'm heading into the home stretch.
What's the next 24 months going to bring? God willing some neat stuff. I'll keep quiet about it now but I would like to ask you to keep me in your prayers. Please also keep my family and my friends in your prayers. Satan seems to be somewhat concerned about me and has used his people for several years to attack my family and friends, and members of the ICTA Women's Pro Tennis Team. Your prayers are much welcomed in this battle.
For your prayers for me, I'd like you to focus on praying for me to remain effective in slowing down and letting God direct my steps. Satan's people attacking me doesn't affect me any more... my most pressing prayer need is for you to pray I continue to walk with Him with my eyes shut and my mouth closed, and to be able to continuously hear Him in my life and respond to His commands... especially when He leads me down paths that make no sense to my fish-in-a-bowl brain.
To wrap this up...I receive email near daily from people sharing how ICTA has made a positive difference in their lives... sometimes just knowing we're out there sharing our Christian faith in tennis makes some people really inspired to do the same. Well, you people inspire me as well!
People have been led to know Jesus as their personal Lord and Savior from hearing the Gospel through ICTA's mission trips to famous tennis tournaments, my small tennis academy, our women's missionary pro tennis team. This is powerful and special and awe-inspiring. This tennis ministry is effective and is God-blessed and is God-driven and is God-inspired.
So for those of you who have wondered what I've been up to this summer and who want to know how I am doing... well, I am doing well and have 2 more years left and am more in love with Jesus than ever from going to war with Him... so, thanks for asking!
God bless,
Scott Paschal
www.christiantennis.net
ballboy4jesus@yahoo.com
386 793 0557
Thursday, June 14, 2007
French Open Mission Trip: Day One
Emma and Rachel visiting a french castle B&B on their way back to Paris from touring Normandy.God has opened doors of opportunity in France for the International Christian Tennis Association. Answered prayers have brought a plan and a purpose for our tennis ministry. And through the dedication of a few people willing to walk in faith, a new ministry is growing towards not only the French Open, but to people in Paris, France.
Rachel, Emma, and I are in awe of the opportunity God has placed before us as Christian missionaries and tireless workers for the Kingdom. Rachel, such a special person who has dedicated her life, not to playing tennis professionally though she reached her lifelong dream of being WTA ranked, but to reaching and discipling WTA players and top juniors for Christ.
And Emma, awesome... an intern with me who is dedicating her summer to helping me grow ministry worldwide, and an amazingly bright, kind person full of hope and faith. She has brought a strong maturity to strengthen those around her and has reminded me of the standards I need to keep and why when choosing students and interns.
An amazing tour guide and photographer and ourselves spent 5 days following God's lead as we discovered a plan God has placed in our paths. A kind, loving French pastor and his family showed among the most brutally honest Christian witness I have ever seen. And Rach and Emma blew me away by their ability to go and grow and watch and learn and share...
These few pics are from the beginning of our journey to Paris an
d Roland Garros. I hope you enjoy them. They show our trip to Orlando Int'l Airport to JFK to Paris... and at the end of the gallery you will see a glimpse of what was yet to come.God bless, Scotty
Friday, June 01, 2007
Inside-Out Christian Tennis Shots
I've received emails lately from people asking for more pics and inquiring about what it's like around here with the International Christian Tennis Association over the summer! We decided to take pictures of the last few days to help bring you along with us around here!
This summer heaps of good stuff is happening! To start with, I will host between 11-19 fulltime tennis missionary students in my home who are participating in my tennis academy programs. With students from Australia to Trinidad to Ukraine and beyond, this is an exciting "international" summer.
I have a wonderful new junior boy's team for ages 11-14! Rand, Adam, and Josh are awesome and I am having a GREAT time working with them on and off court. So refreshing to work with some "pups" after working for so many years with only "big dog" pro players! From tennis to fitness to piano to filming their sermons they make... one word... satisying.
My new boy's junior team for ages 15-17 will have 6 guys blasting the ball at each other often twice-daily, plus traveling to tournaments together, enjoying mission trips together, attending Christian concerts, studying cutting-edge discipleship training materials....
The ICTA Women's Pro Team is at 6 players and is traveling worldwide! Mexico, Paris, USA, and possibly Thailand and Rome....
Basically, having everyone here is amazing. The energy, the fun, the curiosity, the anticipation!
Enjoy the pics and thank you so much for your prayers, emails and phone calls of support!
God bless,
Scott Paschal
This summer heaps of good stuff is happening! To start with, I will host between 11-19 fulltime tennis missionary students in my home who are participating in my tennis academy programs. With students from Australia to Trinidad to Ukraine and beyond, this is an exciting "international" summer.
I have a wonderful new junior boy's team for ages 11-14! Rand, Adam, and Josh are awesome and I am having a GREAT time working with them on and off court. So refreshing to work with some "pups" after working for so many years with only "big dog" pro players! From tennis to fitness to piano to filming their sermons they make... one word... satisying.
My new boy's junior team for ages 15-17 will have 6 guys blasting the ball at each other often twice-daily, plus traveling to tournaments together, enjoying mission trips together, attending Christian concerts, studying cutting-edge discipleship training materials....
The ICTA Women's Pro Team is at 6 players and is traveling worldwide! Mexico, Paris, USA, and possibly Thailand and Rome....
Basically, having everyone here is amazing. The energy, the fun, the curiosity, the anticipation!
Enjoy the pics and thank you so much for your prayers, emails and phone calls of support!
God bless,
Scott Paschal
Saturday, May 19, 2007
Coach Scotty is Going to Paris...
I have a sense of excitement as we prepare to journey to Europe.I generally like traveling and meeting new people and seeing new things, but for me this trip has bit of extra mystery and sense of anticipation. I feel this trip will be special....
Why are we going to France?
We're traveling specifically to lay the foundation for a potential large-scale International Christian Tennis Association, ICTA, Mission Trip to the 2008 French Open, and to possibly establish an ICTA homebase in Europe.
On the way to Paris and back to Florida, we'll have some fun visiting other locations. Two places I want to check out are Rome and Athens. We'll shoot some video footage for upcoming shows and take lots of pics. While in France, we'll hang out at Rolland Garros and travel with our host church family.
Please keep our trip in your prayers as we seek to expand ICTA tennis ministry to Europe by establishing an International Christian Tennis Association homebase and laying the foundation for a potential future 2008 or 2009 large-scale mission trip in cooperation with our ministry partners and churches in France supportive of our purpose.
God bless,
Scott Paschal
www.christiantennis.net
ballboy4jesus@yahoo.com
Saturday, April 28, 2007
ICTA Women's Pro Tennis Team: 3- Week Mission Tour of Mexico
Anastasia Kharchenko (lt) #5 Europe Jr and Rachel Snelen (Rt),WTA ranked tour player,training with Coach Scott Paschal in Florida in preparation for their Mexico tour.
Theme of 3-Week Tour of ICTA Women's Pro Tennis Team:
"Exposing the Modern-Day Sex Slave Trade Industry"
" The ICTA Women's Pro Tennis Team travels worldwide to share the Good News of Salvation through Christ. In addition, each mission tour is a specific opportunity to bring awareness to an important cause. For this 3-week missions tour, ICTA has chose to shine 
the light of His love into the evil that is the modern-day sex slave trade industry.
Slavery has not left the world. Literally hundreds of thousands of young girls and boys worldwide are held in slavery through the horrific sex slave trade industry. The movie, Amazing Grace, has helped to open eyes globally to the reality that slavery still exists.
the light of His love into the evil that is the modern-day sex slave trade industry.Slavery has not left the world. Literally hundreds of thousands of young girls and boys worldwide are held in slavery through the horrific sex slave trade industry. The movie, Amazing Grace, has helped to open eyes globally to the reality that slavery still exists.
ICTA supports the cause to bring awareness to the sex slave trade industry. For 3 weeks ICTA's Women's Pro Tennis Team will travel throughout Mexico as a shining beacon of hope for those less fortunate.
Please post this article in your local newspaper, local church bulletin board, local Christian academy, your tennis club, have it read live on the local radio, or make copies and give them out at tournaments"
Scott Paschal, Head Coach ICTA Pro Teams
Please post this article in your local newspaper, local church bulletin board, local Christian academy, your tennis club, have it read live on the local radio, or make copies and give them out at tournaments"
Scott Paschal, Head Coach ICTA Pro Teams
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ICTA 3-Week Missions Tour
Location: Los Mochis, Mexico
Tournament: VI Copa Casablanca
Date: April 28-May 6, 2007
Venue Hotel: Best Western
Team Members: Rachel Snelen, Shantel Tavita, Anastasia Kharchenko
Location: Mazatlan, Mexico
Tournament: III Copa Cid
Date: May 6-13, 2007
Venue Resort Hotel: El Cid Granada
Team Members: Rachel Snelen, Shantel Tavita, Anastasia Kharchenko
Location: Irapuato, Mexico
Tournament: I Tourneo Internacional Feminil Irapuato
Date: May 13-20, 2007
Venue Hotel: TBD
Team Members: Rachel Snelen, Shantel Tavita, Anastasia Kharchenko, Melody Snelen
Speaking Opportunities: The ICTA Women's Pro Tennis Team is available to speak at your Christian youth event, youth group, or church. Contact Rachel Snelen at 386 793 0557 or send an email to TeamICTA@Yahoo.com (attn: Rachel) for more information.
Location: Los Mochis, Mexico
Tournament: VI Copa Casablanca
Date: April 28-May 6, 2007
Venue Hotel: Best Western
Team Members: Rachel Snelen, Shantel Tavita, Anastasia Kharchenko
Location: Mazatlan, Mexico
Tournament: III Copa Cid
Date: May 6-13, 2007
Venue Resort Hotel: El Cid Granada
Team Members: Rachel Snelen, Shantel Tavita, Anastasia Kharchenko
Location: Irapuato, Mexico
Tournament: I Tourneo Internacional Feminil Irapuato
Date: May 13-20, 2007
Venue Hotel: TBD
Team Members: Rachel Snelen, Shantel Tavita, Anastasia Kharchenko, Melody Snelen
Speaking Opportunities: The ICTA Women's Pro Tennis Team is available to speak at your Christian youth event, youth group, or church. Contact Rachel Snelen at 386 793 0557 or send an email to TeamICTA@Yahoo.com (attn: Rachel) for more information.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
While I type this at 11:51 am on Saturday morning at my home in Palm Coast, Florida, the ICTA Women's Pro Tennis Team is training on red clay in Los Mochis, Mexico in preparation for competition the VI Copa Casablanco, an ITF pro tennis tournament.From the beautiful red clay courts this rare Christian group of missionaries will seek to establish friendships with other WTA ranked pro players and top juniors. This often leads to opportunities to serve others.
While on tour these young ladies have led several WTA & top junior players on tour to the Lord, and through International Christian Tennis Association connections have offered assistance in the form of money, flights, food, and housing to many, many others.
At the conclusion of the VI Copa Casablanco, the ICTA Women's Pro Tennis Team will journey back to the beautiful beach resort town of Mazatlan, Mexico, where they first arrived on Thursday afternoon. Mazatlan is home of the III Copa Cid, an ITF pro tournament held at an exclusive resort.
From Mazatlan the girls will travel to Irapuato, Mexico, which is located just northwest of Mexico City, to compete in the I Tourneo Internacional Feminil Irapuato.
Melody Snelen will fly to Mexico City from Orlando, Florida to then meet the team in Irapuato. Mel has been invited to travel with the family of Christian speaker, David Nasser, on the sold-out Music Boat Cruise to Jamaica. David's wife, Jen, is a wonderful friend and mentor to not only Rachel and Melody Snelen, but every girl I coach! So grateful for their many years of support.
Why is the ICTA Pro Tennis Team concept so successful? Each team member is passionate about how God has worked/is working in her life and she wants to share her faith because she realizes a sense of purpose as God works through each of their lives to reach others.
How does a tour happen? We pray about possible locations, then begin planning to make each location possible. We go where the doors open.In the picture above and to the left, Rachel Snelen, an ITF junior & pro tour veteran of 5+ years and ICTA Pro Team Captain, discusses the daily plan she has developed to help make their 3 week tour a success.
From going over all airline flight plans to hotel reservations to bus routes, Rachel is a precision planner and loves to get her team organized for a successful trip.
Visas are prepared in advance and passports are packed!
Rachel knows enough clothing, strings, nutritional supplements, etc. must be carefully prepared and packed to last the full 3 weeks. Bibles & tracts & ICTA T-shirts are packed to be given away as gifts to players.
Brittiny and Emma are scheduled to join the ICTA Women's Pro Tennis Team this summer semester. I've coached Britty fulltime off and on since she was just 11 or 12 years old and now she is going to be a senior in high school next year.
Wow, how time flies... and wow, am I thrilled my seemingly impossible big dream of forming a pro tennis team to travel worldwide to share their
faith has become a reality that Brittiny, and other girls worldwide, can participate in!The 6-member ICTA Women's Pro Tennis Team, along with their fantastic parents, grandparents, friends, and supporters, are all such a rare and special group of people.
Though the travel team consists of 6 teammates, and sometimes me, there are truly many more people involved. To the several dozen people involved in sending these girls on Christian mission trips worldwide, I'd like to say thanks. Parents, friends, ministry partners, prayer partners, family members... each of you is a valuable string in the racket.
Please keep the safety and success of this mission tour deep into Mexico in your prayers. If you would like to sponsor a missionary for a day or for an entire mission trip, contact Rachel Snelen or myself at 386 793 0557 and/or TeamICTA@yahoo.com.
I see a day when ICTA sends several different teams on mission tours to different continents at the same time. I see a day when 6 girls on one team has become 36 girls placed on 6 teams. Can you imagine that!?
I can see players worldwide competing for CHRIST! Coaches, tournament directors, officials, media... lives changing! The Gospel of Jesus Christ is being boldly shared!
Can you imagine what would happen if souls were won for Christ on the WTA tour... and then those new Christians became among the top 20 WTA players in the world, maybe even #1 WTA.The largest trees begin as a tiny seed. Our little 2-member pro team has grown to 6 team members within one year. Tournaments attended in 2007 will more than quadruple from 2006.
Since last summer, top 100 WTA players have already been reached and top junior players have been led to know Christ as their Lord and Savior.
Please share this journal entry via email, or any venue you legally can, in support of the mission of the ICTA Women's Pro Tennis Team as they share their faith, and as they shine His light on the evil which is harming children worldwide.
God bless,
Scott Paschal
www.christiantennis.net
ballboy4jesus@yahoo.com
386 793 0557
Wednesday, April 25, 2007
Glory Revealed Concert
Tomorrow is the big day! The Glory Revealed Tour is in our area and we're heading out to Ocala, Florida to have a great time! We'll hit some tennis balls with Nasser around 3pm, shower, eat something, then head to the concert venue, First Baptist Church of Ocala!
Watching Newbie and Nasser play a match is always fun! I think this is Newbie vs Nasser V. Right now, I think Newbs has the advantage 3-2. The funnest match was when they played in Atlanta just over a year ago... split sets and a tie break in the third. That match took so long that we were all late getting to the concert venue.
Chris and his mom, Susie, are driving in to meet us. I coached Chris last summer. His Mom and Dad have been my friends and ICTA supporters for 5 years. Susie is a Pediatrician and her husband, Chuck, is a shrink. Will be fun to spend time with everyone. Chris and I have a strong coach/player bond for sure. One of those bonds that will last a lifetime. Same with Newbie, whose real name is Jon by the way.
This morning Rachel, Anastasia, Shantel, and Melody drove to Orlando to spend the night. Tomorrow, this amazing ICTA Women's Pro Tennis Team flies to Mazatlan, Mexico via LA. The team will do missions activites while competing in two ITF pro tournaments... Los Mochis, Mexico and Mazatlan, Mexico.Melody isn't going with the team as she has been invited by Nasser's family to go with them on the Music Boat Cruise to Jamaica. Rach went last year on the cruise that went from California down to Mexico. Mel will have a blast spending time with Nasser's family and meeting so many Christian music artists. She's really excited! I'm excited for her!
Me... I'm sitting here on the couch with the dog typing this to you... kinda boring, huh? I think I'll go make some homemade Fettuccine Alfredo and watch The Incredibles. Not exactly missions work in Mazatlan, but it'll do...
I hope you have had the opportunity to attend Glory Revealed!
If not, be sure to check out the book and CD at the Glory Revealed web site... www.GloryRevealed.com
Please keep the safety of the girls in your prayers. They are traveling deep into Mexico specifically to share the Gospel of Jesus to WTA players and others God brings to their path. These amazing girls are selflessly giving of their time, money, safety to follow the Great Commission as commanded by Jesus and recorded by Mathew (28). These girls, and the mission of their team, are very rare and special.
God bless,
Scott Paschal
International Christian Tennis Association
www.christiantennis.net
386 793 0557
ballboy4jesus@yahoo.com
Sunday, April 22, 2007
Scotty and Peppers... Christian Tennis Nuts!
This morning as the sun rises I keep thinking about the many blessings God has placed in my life.
Even though the TV and the Internet remind me how fallen this world is, even though there is so much heartache, I keep hearing God's voice through it all.
The senseless massacre at Virginia Tech, the daily murders in Baghdad, starvation and poverty and disease worldwide, kids with AIDS... the world pounds us with such pain and sometimes I just sit and stare, not quite knowing what to do, where I fit in, or even what to think of it all.
Then, as it all begins to seem a bit hopeless, God sends me a sign. Maybe an olive branch in a way. A sign to say He is in control. A sign to say He is creator of all and I am just a little nobody who isn't supposed to have all the answers. Yet, though a little nobody, I am His.
In a small way I can understand this because I have a fish tank and I take care of my fish.
And as I am His I have a job to accomplish. I've been set on this planet to share His word and to disciple others. Plus, I teach tennis. Oh, and there's this little ministry I run.
Peppers is one of the reminders God is in control. He is someone God sent to show me how I fit into His greater plan. God has big things in store for Peppers. My job with Peppers was to point him in a more focused direction, which I did.
A couple days ago, Pepper's Dad flew in from the South Pacific to fly home with Peppers. We enjoyed a 4 hr visit at Chic Fil A discussing lots of thoughts about Church, Christianity, Restoration, his family, and Peppers.
The Dad says Peppers is an improved kid from the one he dropped off with me in January. That's nice.
In the middle of all the pain and suffering of the world, it's nice to know I have a purpose. It's good to know there is some good inside of me. When the world constantly says "bad," it's nice to know God is good and His goodness wants to flow through you and me.
As it flows through us, it reaches others. While we can't snap our fingers and make the pain of the world go away, we can open our eyes and our ears to hear his voice and see His face. Then we can answer Him when He calls...
and for better or for worse we can know He is in control.
Friends4Ever,
Scott Paschal
www.christiantennis.net
International Christian Tennis Association
386 793 0557
Saturday, April 14, 2007
Christian Tennis Academy Red...
Speaking of tennis, what a terrific workout the kids enjoyed. For Mark and Joseph, they spent 6 hours improving their fitness and their doubles skills. They played 3 different WTA ranked pro tennis players in 2 on 1 matches. These two junior guys were ready for battle, even wearing matching outfits!!
Mark serving while Joe waits to poach!
Melody Snelen blasting a forehand.Mark and Joe lost all their sets, including some bagels! But they also had some close sets, maybe 7-5 or 6-4 twice, and learned so much from hitting with such smart and powerful players.
Melody is recently recovering from a serious wrist injury she suffered early last year when training with one of the WTA ranked players I formerly trained full time, Julia Vakulenko. While Julia, after training with me for just 2 months, went on to immediately reach her highest career WTA ranking of #51 WTA, Melody had to stop playing tennis for 4 months, then rehab for 8 months.
The good news for Melody Snelen is she is healing and is close to 100%.
Next month, Melody Snelen is going on a cruise with David Nasser's family aboard the Music Boat before she competes in several ITF Pro Circuit tournaments in the USA and Mexico. The Music Boat Cruise is sailing to Jamaica! She is incredibly excited about time with friends on the cruise (David is a speaker for the cruise), meeting new people on the cruise, and journeying on several ICTA Pro Team mission trips after the cruise ends! In fact, Mel will fly directly from Miami to a pro tournament in Mazatlan, Mexico.
Joe preparing to ride his bike after his workout.My time is becoming a bit limited as I am heavily into developing my new ministry, preparing for my tennis tour company's first tour to the 2007 US OPEN with ICTA members, and developing the business plan and blueprints for my upcoming tennis facility.
But, though these new responsibilities are highly important, even life changing, my students are my #1 priority.
I coach not because I have to, but because I want to. In fact, my goal is to offer completely free training to all students I bring in full time for my ICTA Junior Teams. A new tennis facility, free tennis training, cutting edge missions training programs, world class leadership seminars, tennis teams... good stuff! God is blessing!
God bless,
Scott Paschal
www.christiantennis.net
Thursday, April 12, 2007
A Fun Parent Visit to the International Christian Tennis Association
Shantel, Joseph, Rand, Melissa, Edwin, Caroline, Coach Scotty, Anastasia, Adam, Mel, MarkBefore I write further, though, I'd like to greet our Christiantennis.net and blog guests! This blog and ICTA's web site get read! And I mean read by 1000s and 1000s worldwide... up to 20,000 page views a week!
Even right now, people are visiting from Sha Alam, Malasia; Santiago, Chile; Singapore, Singapore; Lima, Puru; Caracas, Venazuela; Guadaljara, Mexico; Brooklyn, New York; Tehran, Iran; Central, Fiji; Hyogo, Japan; Rheinland-Pfalz, Germany; Utrecht, Netherlands; Sicilia, Italy; Misto- Kyyiv, Ukraine; Makkah, Saudi Arabia; London, England; Valais, Switzerland; Dehli, India... and so many more... right now. ICTA is truly reaching worldwide! So exciting! A big welcome to all of you for sure and God bless you.
I think one of the most special parts of my day, yesterday, was meeting Caroline. Caroline is one neat kid. Definitely blessed. She is one of those kids who can light up a room with her presence. I met Caroline because her brother, Rand, came in to hit with the gang. Before I agree to train a new student, I schedule a time to visit the student and his/her family. So, that's what yesterday was about. And from this day I had the opportunity to meet Caroline!
Coach Scotty, Bearby, and CarolineRand came in the night before and spent the night with us. He had fun hanging out with the guys while they all got to know each other. In the morning after a big breakfast of ham, egg, and cheese sandwiches, everyone headed upstairs to watch two Way of the Master videos. Once the videos completed, the gang headed downstairs where I led ICTA Discipleship Training. I spoke on the Great Commission.
From there the girls drove out to the tennis courts and started their workouts in preparation for their 6 city pro tennis tour in May. The guys and I drove my Jeep Wrangler to Walmart to get a leak in the tire fixed. While waiting we walked to Taco Bell and downed some early lunch. After learning Walmart can't fix that particular leak, we drove to the courts and began pounding tennis balls.
Shantel Tavita: WTA Ranked 2007!Anastasia Kharchenko (below) is a new Christian! She accepted Christ last October, a month after she came here to train with me! Ana earned #1 G16 in Ukraine and and #5 in Europe. She has top WTA potential, yet her focus is on learning more about Jesus and gaining a top education via the Abeka Christian Curriculum ICTA offers.
I'm proud of them both and glad they're members of the ICTA Pro Tennis Team. This pro tennis team travels internationally to compete in pro tennis tournaments while reaching the WTA players with the Gospel. This is the only team of its kind in the world. They are getting international recognition from top Christian ministries for their outstanding dedication to excellence both on and off the tennis court.
Anastasia Kharchenko: New Christian 10/06!
Daily ping pong wars!
Adam, Mark, Rand, Joseph posing for a pic!Soon after dinner Rand's parents & Caroline came by my house to pick him up. Mom and Dad had enjoyed spending a day in St. Augustine, Florida.
Here's a pic of Mom and Dad hanging out with the gang at my house while Rand sets up to nail a forehand!One of the greatest aspects of coaching is the interaction, love, and support from the parents of my students.
It means the world to be specifically chosen by these parents to guide and mentor their kids. As the founder of ICTA (and a new ministry) and the owner of a long-standing, successful tennis academy, my schedule is tight. I travel a lot and always have something going on. As such, I've learned the importance of having the right people around me. I have learned through trial and error which types of students and parents I need to have a successful, faith-filled tennis academy.
Through my experiences over the years, I've learned to make a dedicated effort to locate parents who understand Christian ministry. Often, they have founded ministries or have worked in ministry themselves. They have a great understanding of what I do and a great appreciation I'm willing to invest my life in mentoring others.
I've learned I'd rather work full time with a 12 year old boy who is passionate and hungry to learn about Jesus, than to coach the #1 B18 junior in the country. The first asks what can I do for others, the second asks what can others do for me.
I've learned I'd rather offer a full scholarship to a no-name female player who loaded with top WTA potential who has fallen in love with Jesus because of our 24/7 efforts in her life, than to offer a full scholarship to a top 100 WTA player who has learned place Jesus in a box while she uses others for her own personal and professional gain.
I've learned that a player's ranking in tennis means nothing in comparison to Christ working in their hearts.
And in all of my experiences as a 21 year coach, I could take every "top ranked" player I've invested my life and finances into and they can't hold a candle to a 10 year old girl with passion for Jesus!
I can look back to so many players I've coached who, by the world's standards, deem themselves special and important, bordering on total self-centeredness, and claiming Christ as the centerpiece in their lives, though little in the way they live their lives bears witness to the claim.
It is embarrassing for me to think about their actions at times.
Especially when I see the passion and love for God that radiates from the heart of a 10 year old kid named Caroline. Top 100 WTA, top 50 WTA, #1 WTA... means nothing. I don't think Jesus is impressed with rankings. From what I understand, He is impressed with what is important.
I really enjoyed meeting Caroline. She is a special kid from a special family. I've agreed to coach Rand. He and Adam will be a great fit. They will be a tremendous team and I will pour my heart into developing them to be both passionate Christians and passionate tennis players. Both of which my current students will say God has blessed me with the ability to do well.
And I look forward to visits from Caroline. You just know God has something big for her life.
She is something special.
God bless,
Scott Paschal
www.christiantennis.net
Monday, April 09, 2007
Scotty's Big Date!!!??
Ok, ok... I'll talk. Enough with the emails and phone calls already!
Yes, yes, yes. To answer all of you at once YES. It was me at the restaurant with one of the top WTA players in the world.
Ok, there. Are you happy? I hope so.
And yes, I look forward to getting to know her better. And yes, we talked about the future.
Ok, nosey!? Is that enough to settle you down?
Listen, that's about all I'm going to say for now.
What about the rumor I might want to coach her? Nope. You couldn't pay me enough. Most of these pro tour coaches don't coach, they manage. I dislike managing. I love coaching. Thus, I wouldn't agree to work with someone even Federer's level as a coach/manager! I don't manage. Managing stinks for guys with ADHD like me. Coaching good, managing bad.
What about the rumor I'm her father? Ok, smart guy, how about I meet you out back and we discuss my age in an old-school Italian style type of way. If you had half my energy....
What about the rumor I am her agent or want to become her agent? Nope. Though we did talk about her modeling and potential clients. I don't have time or interest to be an agent of a tennis player.
What about the rumor she is becoming involved with ICTA? Ok, we did somewhat talk along those lines at one point. What player wouldn't want to get involved with ICTA!? This organization leads people to Christ, plain and simple. If you believe in Jesus, you want to help ICTA. But, that's not why we have seen each other.
What about the rumor she is obviously blind? Thanks. How about you meet me out back with the other guy? Know what I'm talkin' about pal?
Any other questions out there?
To wrap this up... yes, I was at the restaraunt with her. It was me. We hung out inside the place, then we hung out outside the place. I've introduced her to some people I know. We made plans to see each other later. We saw each other later. So, we'll see what goes from here.
For those of you who have no idea what 'm talking about or who she is, good! Do you know of her? I'd say 90% of you do. Unless you've been in a cave somewhere.
Am I going to tell you who she is? Nope.
Am I going to give you a hint who she is? Nope.
Am I writing about this any more? Nope. :)
Scotty
Yes, yes, yes. To answer all of you at once YES. It was me at the restaurant with one of the top WTA players in the world.
Ok, there. Are you happy? I hope so.
And yes, I look forward to getting to know her better. And yes, we talked about the future.
Ok, nosey!? Is that enough to settle you down?
Listen, that's about all I'm going to say for now.
What about the rumor I might want to coach her? Nope. You couldn't pay me enough. Most of these pro tour coaches don't coach, they manage. I dislike managing. I love coaching. Thus, I wouldn't agree to work with someone even Federer's level as a coach/manager! I don't manage. Managing stinks for guys with ADHD like me. Coaching good, managing bad.
What about the rumor I'm her father? Ok, smart guy, how about I meet you out back and we discuss my age in an old-school Italian style type of way. If you had half my energy....
What about the rumor I am her agent or want to become her agent? Nope. Though we did talk about her modeling and potential clients. I don't have time or interest to be an agent of a tennis player.
What about the rumor she is becoming involved with ICTA? Ok, we did somewhat talk along those lines at one point. What player wouldn't want to get involved with ICTA!? This organization leads people to Christ, plain and simple. If you believe in Jesus, you want to help ICTA. But, that's not why we have seen each other.
What about the rumor she is obviously blind? Thanks. How about you meet me out back with the other guy? Know what I'm talkin' about pal?
Any other questions out there?
To wrap this up... yes, I was at the restaraunt with her. It was me. We hung out inside the place, then we hung out outside the place. I've introduced her to some people I know. We made plans to see each other later. We saw each other later. So, we'll see what goes from here.
For those of you who have no idea what 'm talking about or who she is, good! Do you know of her? I'd say 90% of you do. Unless you've been in a cave somewhere.
Am I going to tell you who she is? Nope.
Am I going to give you a hint who she is? Nope.
Am I writing about this any more? Nope. :)
Scotty
Saturday, April 07, 2007
Easter
I haven't been to church in nearly 2 months.
Can I say that? I'm a ministry founder and director... am I supposed to admit I haven't been to church? Why didn't I go?
First, a 2 week mission trip to reach 70,000+ in Memphis. Then, a 3.5 week mission trip to reach 300,000+ in Indian Wells, California. Throw in long car rides, flights on Delta, a junior tournament or two....
One of the most difficult aspects to being a full time missionary and ministry director is I do lots of traveling. Thus, I can't attend my church like I'd like.
Well, I'll be there tomorrow! Easter Sunday is special. Christ's resurrection radically changed everything. The old is gone and the new begins. For everyone reading this blog, you can begin new as well!
My church is up around Jacksonville, Florida. I love attending and have felt at home since Day 1. A long time friend is a pastor there. One thing I really enjoy about this church is how welcoming the congregation is.
In fact, upon arrival everyone receives lots of friendly smiles and handshakes. Everyone also enjoys fresh pastries & delicious bagels, Starbucks coffee and specialty teas, fresh orange juice and apple juice... you can even bring your hot coffee in to the church service without receiving dirty looks!
The pastor loves to preach and is skilled at making God's word make sense. The music minister is skilled as well, even having done the junior camp circuits.
That said, my whole tennis academy loves the church as well!
Sometimes, as a full time missionary, I have a difficult time visiting churches where faith is forgotten and Jesus is simply a word. My church really loves to walk in faith and I look forward to Sundays.
And I'm really excited about the Easter Service.
A few ministry notes to catch you up to date...
*The main ICTA Women's Pro Tennis Team roster has filled up for the summer. 6 tremendous missionaries will hit the ITF pro circuit competing for their countries and sharing their faith. Tournaments are scheduled for USA and Mexico. Possibility for Japan & Europe. I may begin a 2nd team as this program is wildly successful and demand is high.
*I've been in wonderful talks with a person who could be a chaplain on the WTA and ATP tours. He has a heart for players and a love for Jesus, 10+ years of chaplain experience, decades of tennis experience, and contacts & relationships with among the most famous people in tennis.
*A tennis chaplain credentialing process is in the works at the genesis stages to take to both the ATP and WTA Tours for approval. Led by an ICTA member who is also a PHD University professor, talks have began not only to provide tennis chaplaincy certification, but also to provide a Seminary Masters or Doctorate Degree in Sports Chaplaincy.
*The ICTA Women's Pro Tennis Team is back from their mission trip to Birmingham, Alabama where they competed in an ITF $25,000 tournament. The team worked smoothly together sharing their faith and offering support to players. They hit with and developed friendships with about a dozen WTA ranked players, one near 200 WTA. One player they met stayed with the team at David Nasser's house. The Nasser's are special people and the girls were so cared for.
*I've lost the 7lbs of belly I gained while on the road for a couple of months! :) As I plan to preach a lot this summer, I'm working to get back into shape so I can fit into my clothes a bit better. I've enjoyed being home and getting back into a normal schedule.
*Summer camps are shaping up! With 12 students this summer, I am looking forward to the excitement of challenging my students to dive deeper into Christ while learning to make others 1st. Plus, we'll hit balls twice daily, get the darkest tans in Florida, travel to junior tournaments for mission trips on the weekends, engage in ping-pong wars, and eat like Vikings! Did I mention our untouched beaches!!?
**And last but not at all least... CONGRATULATIONS go to our own Rachel Snelen for becoming one of America's top 100 WTA ranked professional tennis players. According to the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour's 2007 Official Guide To Professional Tennis, Rachel comes in right at #100!
From the advanced beginner level of junior tennis (Champs/Texas) in 1999 to one of the top 100 WTA players in America! Rachel Snelen is a special person with a heart to reach players with the Gospel. It is amazing how she can handle balancing her full time+ job with ICTA and her missionary travel as the Captain & leader of an entire pro tennis team while competing on the pro tour and leading people to Christ. Great job, Rach! Your friends are so proud of the life you have chosen.
I guess that's about all for now. I don't really have time to mention my plans for building our tennis facility, our tennis tour to the US OPEN, the 2008 ICTA Conference to be held during the Pacific Life Open, or my upcoming book. So, I'll save that stuff for later!
Until we meet again, know I do have you in my prayers. Friends & enemies, I pray for you all. The life we live is simply a training ground for what is to come. I thank God for each of you. My life is so blessed and I know where the blessings come from.
There has been no greater event in history than the defeat Jesus gave death the moment he was resurrected. I thank God for my life and for my hope in Him. I can't imagine what I would do if I had no hope.
God bless!
Scott Paschal
Can I say that? I'm a ministry founder and director... am I supposed to admit I haven't been to church? Why didn't I go?
First, a 2 week mission trip to reach 70,000+ in Memphis. Then, a 3.5 week mission trip to reach 300,000+ in Indian Wells, California. Throw in long car rides, flights on Delta, a junior tournament or two....
One of the most difficult aspects to being a full time missionary and ministry director is I do lots of traveling. Thus, I can't attend my church like I'd like.
Well, I'll be there tomorrow! Easter Sunday is special. Christ's resurrection radically changed everything. The old is gone and the new begins. For everyone reading this blog, you can begin new as well!
My church is up around Jacksonville, Florida. I love attending and have felt at home since Day 1. A long time friend is a pastor there. One thing I really enjoy about this church is how welcoming the congregation is.
In fact, upon arrival everyone receives lots of friendly smiles and handshakes. Everyone also enjoys fresh pastries & delicious bagels, Starbucks coffee and specialty teas, fresh orange juice and apple juice... you can even bring your hot coffee in to the church service without receiving dirty looks!
The pastor loves to preach and is skilled at making God's word make sense. The music minister is skilled as well, even having done the junior camp circuits.
That said, my whole tennis academy loves the church as well!
Sometimes, as a full time missionary, I have a difficult time visiting churches where faith is forgotten and Jesus is simply a word. My church really loves to walk in faith and I look forward to Sundays.
And I'm really excited about the Easter Service.
A few ministry notes to catch you up to date...
*The main ICTA Women's Pro Tennis Team roster has filled up for the summer. 6 tremendous missionaries will hit the ITF pro circuit competing for their countries and sharing their faith. Tournaments are scheduled for USA and Mexico. Possibility for Japan & Europe. I may begin a 2nd team as this program is wildly successful and demand is high.
*I've been in wonderful talks with a person who could be a chaplain on the WTA and ATP tours. He has a heart for players and a love for Jesus, 10+ years of chaplain experience, decades of tennis experience, and contacts & relationships with among the most famous people in tennis.
*A tennis chaplain credentialing process is in the works at the genesis stages to take to both the ATP and WTA Tours for approval. Led by an ICTA member who is also a PHD University professor, talks have began not only to provide tennis chaplaincy certification, but also to provide a Seminary Masters or Doctorate Degree in Sports Chaplaincy.
*The ICTA Women's Pro Tennis Team is back from their mission trip to Birmingham, Alabama where they competed in an ITF $25,000 tournament. The team worked smoothly together sharing their faith and offering support to players. They hit with and developed friendships with about a dozen WTA ranked players, one near 200 WTA. One player they met stayed with the team at David Nasser's house. The Nasser's are special people and the girls were so cared for.
*I've lost the 7lbs of belly I gained while on the road for a couple of months! :) As I plan to preach a lot this summer, I'm working to get back into shape so I can fit into my clothes a bit better. I've enjoyed being home and getting back into a normal schedule.
*Summer camps are shaping up! With 12 students this summer, I am looking forward to the excitement of challenging my students to dive deeper into Christ while learning to make others 1st. Plus, we'll hit balls twice daily, get the darkest tans in Florida, travel to junior tournaments for mission trips on the weekends, engage in ping-pong wars, and eat like Vikings! Did I mention our untouched beaches!!?
**And last but not at all least... CONGRATULATIONS go to our own Rachel Snelen for becoming one of America's top 100 WTA ranked professional tennis players. According to the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour's 2007 Official Guide To Professional Tennis, Rachel comes in right at #100!
From the advanced beginner level of junior tennis (Champs/Texas) in 1999 to one of the top 100 WTA players in America! Rachel Snelen is a special person with a heart to reach players with the Gospel. It is amazing how she can handle balancing her full time+ job with ICTA and her missionary travel as the Captain & leader of an entire pro tennis team while competing on the pro tour and leading people to Christ. Great job, Rach! Your friends are so proud of the life you have chosen.
I guess that's about all for now. I don't really have time to mention my plans for building our tennis facility, our tennis tour to the US OPEN, the 2008 ICTA Conference to be held during the Pacific Life Open, or my upcoming book. So, I'll save that stuff for later!
Until we meet again, know I do have you in my prayers. Friends & enemies, I pray for you all. The life we live is simply a training ground for what is to come. I thank God for each of you. My life is so blessed and I know where the blessings come from.
There has been no greater event in history than the defeat Jesus gave death the moment he was resurrected. I thank God for my life and for my hope in Him. I can't imagine what I would do if I had no hope.
God bless!
Scott Paschal
Wednesday, April 04, 2007
My life ROCKS!
What a great week! Man, I love my life!
Who else gets to tell so many people about the Creator of the universe and how He wants to have a personal relationship with each of them, and while I do that I get to live in gorgeous Palm Coast, Florida and smack the tennis ball around with a bunch of juniors and WTA pro tennis players who want to hit the ball all day long?
Who else, I ask!? Nobody! Just me! My life rocks...
Wanna know what's been going on around here lately? Ok, I'll tell you.
My junior guys are working on an in-depth study of A Case for Christ by Lee Stroebel and The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey. Cool, huh!? They are learning at just 14-15 years of age the incredible facts and proof of Christ, and learning world-class habits from the world's leading expert. Who does that at 14-15 years!? Cool, huh!
Plus, these guys are learning how to preach.
They take each chapter of each book and break them down on paper, then write an in-depth narrative of what they've learned. From there they head to the edge of the wooded area in the back of the yard of my house... where they take turns reading out loud what they're learning. And I mean out loud!! Really loud because I'm in the house and they have to speak loud enough for me to hear them clearly.
So fun! Their voices are getting stronger and their words more confident. So fun to build pastors!
Plus, did I mention we hit balls like 5 hours yesterday? That was awesome. What is better than tennis and Jesus... and Italian pasta :).
Speaking of tennis and Jesus, my girls are coming back from their mission trip to Alabama. Rachel and Melody Snelen, Shantel Tavita, and Anastasia Kharchenko spent the last week telling top WTA players and others about Jesus at an ITF $25,000 tournament.
So fun and productive! They had an absolute blast staying at David Nasser's house with his family for the week. Nasser is getting ready to head out on his tour, Glory Revealed, www.gloryrevealed.com with Mac Powell of Third Day and so many others! (And be sure to check out this awesome Glory Revealed Video)
Nasser has an amazing guest house and the girls packed into it. His wife is a tremendous mentor and friend to Rach and Mel, and the other girls I coach full time or who travel with us, and Nasser loves playing tennis with everyone. So blessed for them to be in such a loving, faith-filled, family environment. David has been a great friend, mentor, and supporter of mine for years.
Tomorrow nite, the girls will be here after a long drive from Alabam and I'm excited to hear all the wonderful stories of people they met and ministry that happened!
The girls are preparing for a huge 8-week road tour. This will be a time of speaking, prayer, building relationships, seeking God's will on the pro tour.... Touring throughout Mexico and the USA with sites set on Japan as well, the ICTA Women's Pro Tennis Team is so special and rare and blessed.
I thank God for these girls and their hearts to share their faith.
I thank God for those who would support them and care about them such as tremendous friends like Jim B. who is there in Birmingham and beyond whenever we need him. I thank God for continuously protecting them from those who would do harm to them (who hasn't heard my stories of the ridiculous antics of their Chinese-American tennis pro stalker I call "Rev." Kraft!?). I thank God for these selfless teens and young adults who stay focused on Jesus and have led others on the WTA tour to Christ while developing relationships to last a lifetime.
What an absolute joy I have in my heart when I think about my life!!
My junior guys are being forged into passionate preachers who are brilliantly able to share their faith! I get to plan and attend mission trips to famous tennis events! My pro player girls travel internationally helping others and sharing their faith in such a way that others have been led to know Christ as their personal Lord and Savior!
I have so many blessings in my life! I live in a safe, beautiful town in a wonderful 2 year old home. My health is tremendous, my Jeep runs like a champ, my Mom called today to check in with unyeilding support for my work, my brother is a successful youth pastor and we talk often, I'm founding a new ministry and two new secular Christian-owned businesses, my tennis academy will be full again this summer as we pack the place with a bunch of junior guys ages 14-16 and hit the fuzz off of boxes and boxes of new tennis balls.
Wow, I'm a fortunate person. So blessed! Thank you God for taking this idiot and creating me as you need me to be. I remember my old life and I thank God for the new creation you have made in me. The last 15 years have been wonderful as you took the old self-centered and replaced him with a Christ-centered one.
Life is so good! Yet, as good as it is right now, when I begin to share my upcoming plans for my life and my ministry with you... WOW!!!
God bless and know Jesus loves you and cares about you even when it seems no one else does!
Coach Scotty
Who else gets to tell so many people about the Creator of the universe and how He wants to have a personal relationship with each of them, and while I do that I get to live in gorgeous Palm Coast, Florida and smack the tennis ball around with a bunch of juniors and WTA pro tennis players who want to hit the ball all day long?
Who else, I ask!? Nobody! Just me! My life rocks...
Wanna know what's been going on around here lately? Ok, I'll tell you.
My junior guys are working on an in-depth study of A Case for Christ by Lee Stroebel and The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey. Cool, huh!? They are learning at just 14-15 years of age the incredible facts and proof of Christ, and learning world-class habits from the world's leading expert. Who does that at 14-15 years!? Cool, huh!
Plus, these guys are learning how to preach.
They take each chapter of each book and break them down on paper, then write an in-depth narrative of what they've learned. From there they head to the edge of the wooded area in the back of the yard of my house... where they take turns reading out loud what they're learning. And I mean out loud!! Really loud because I'm in the house and they have to speak loud enough for me to hear them clearly.
So fun! Their voices are getting stronger and their words more confident. So fun to build pastors!
Plus, did I mention we hit balls like 5 hours yesterday? That was awesome. What is better than tennis and Jesus... and Italian pasta :).
Speaking of tennis and Jesus, my girls are coming back from their mission trip to Alabama. Rachel and Melody Snelen, Shantel Tavita, and Anastasia Kharchenko spent the last week telling top WTA players and others about Jesus at an ITF $25,000 tournament.
So fun and productive! They had an absolute blast staying at David Nasser's house with his family for the week. Nasser is getting ready to head out on his tour, Glory Revealed, www.gloryrevealed.com with Mac Powell of Third Day and so many others! (And be sure to check out this awesome Glory Revealed Video)
Nasser has an amazing guest house and the girls packed into it. His wife is a tremendous mentor and friend to Rach and Mel, and the other girls I coach full time or who travel with us, and Nasser loves playing tennis with everyone. So blessed for them to be in such a loving, faith-filled, family environment. David has been a great friend, mentor, and supporter of mine for years.
Tomorrow nite, the girls will be here after a long drive from Alabam and I'm excited to hear all the wonderful stories of people they met and ministry that happened!
The girls are preparing for a huge 8-week road tour. This will be a time of speaking, prayer, building relationships, seeking God's will on the pro tour.... Touring throughout Mexico and the USA with sites set on Japan as well, the ICTA Women's Pro Tennis Team is so special and rare and blessed.
I thank God for these girls and their hearts to share their faith.
I thank God for those who would support them and care about them such as tremendous friends like Jim B. who is there in Birmingham and beyond whenever we need him. I thank God for continuously protecting them from those who would do harm to them (who hasn't heard my stories of the ridiculous antics of their Chinese-American tennis pro stalker I call "Rev." Kraft!?). I thank God for these selfless teens and young adults who stay focused on Jesus and have led others on the WTA tour to Christ while developing relationships to last a lifetime.
What an absolute joy I have in my heart when I think about my life!!
My junior guys are being forged into passionate preachers who are brilliantly able to share their faith! I get to plan and attend mission trips to famous tennis events! My pro player girls travel internationally helping others and sharing their faith in such a way that others have been led to know Christ as their personal Lord and Savior!
I have so many blessings in my life! I live in a safe, beautiful town in a wonderful 2 year old home. My health is tremendous, my Jeep runs like a champ, my Mom called today to check in with unyeilding support for my work, my brother is a successful youth pastor and we talk often, I'm founding a new ministry and two new secular Christian-owned businesses, my tennis academy will be full again this summer as we pack the place with a bunch of junior guys ages 14-16 and hit the fuzz off of boxes and boxes of new tennis balls.
Wow, I'm a fortunate person. So blessed! Thank you God for taking this idiot and creating me as you need me to be. I remember my old life and I thank God for the new creation you have made in me. The last 15 years have been wonderful as you took the old self-centered and replaced him with a Christ-centered one.
Life is so good! Yet, as good as it is right now, when I begin to share my upcoming plans for my life and my ministry with you... WOW!!!
God bless and know Jesus loves you and cares about you even when it seems no one else does!
Coach Scotty
Monday, April 02, 2007
Into Christ...
I meet a lot of people when I travel.In the last 2 months I've been across America and back. I've talked with people in Georgia, Tennessee, Nevada, Arizona, Texas, California, Alabama.
I've met literally thousands of people this year.
I always wonder how things are going for the people I meet. What their lives are truly like? Will they be with me in Heaven?
Lately, I've been thinking about a friend.
I remember around 1999 when a friend of mine felt led to share her faith. Her faith was different than mine. I appreciated the attempt, but had a few basic questions for her. I told her I would be glad to take her faith, Mormonism, seriously if she could offer good answers.
She gladly accepted the invitation. In researching my basic questions, her life changed. Permanently. Within a short time she felt her faith was not in agreement with the Christian faith. The next year was painful for her. When she accepted Christ as her personal Lord and Savior, everything she knew was turned upside down. Everything.
I had began coaching her son full time. Great kid, hard worker. After a couple of years, he asked questions about my faith as he worked to share his faith with me. I asked him just a few basic questions. I explained if he could show me some good answers I would consider seriously looking at his faith.
He gladly accepted the offer. One night he called me from the BYU library. Apparently, one of my questions has seriously stumped him and he flew to Utah to see the correct answer for himself. The correct answer was hidden deep inside the library. When he found the answer, his life was forever changed. He realized he had no choice but to accept Christ, the Christ of the Bible with nothing added or taken away, as his personal Lord and savior.
Both he and his mother have paid a great price for their new belief in Jesus Christ, the Jesus of the Bible. I will keep this information private. Suffice to say the last 5 years have been difficult and I am amazed at the strength they both show.
I don't claim to have all the answers. I was like most of you, didn't have much of an idea about Mormonism and was willing to listen. In listening I came up with a few reasonable questions. I did some research. Found some answers. Asked my Mormon friends if the answers were right or wrong.
Their personal research showed the answers I found were correct. Thus, their lives changed.
Here is something I found. I would like your answers, too.
Back in the 1800s, Brigham Young claimed to be a prophet of God. He was among the greatest Mormon leader in history. Certainly a visionary. He preached for many years that Adam was God. The Mormon church later took the stance that Adam was not God.
Well, one question to my friend and to my student was, "How can a man claim to speak with God and be God's prophet, yet preach for years that God told him God was Adam... because the current LDS church says God was not Adam?"
I went on to say, "To me, that makes him a false prophet and I have a problem with a founding member, prophet, and leader of a religion being a false prophet."
Their answer to me was that Brigham Young would never have claimed Adam was God. That a prophet could never be wrong about something so serious. That there was no way a prophet who talked with God daily would make such a claim.
I agreed a true prophet would never make such a claim, then showed them where Mormons recorded his claim. To find the writings I had located and to verify their origins, my student went to locate either authentic copies or the original manuscripts deep inside of the BYU library.
His life forever changed.
They then went on to find many, many other aspects of their religion they had never known.
As for me, I don't have all the answers. When asked to join a religion, I listen and ask questions. Nowadays, I get asked a lot of questions. As such, I have more answers than I had when I first answered my call to ministry back in 1999.
Why do I write about this now? Memories. Thoughts. Looking to the future. Both my former student and his Mom are both active in my life. I love them both tremendously.
Can I tell you something? I pray for you. I pray you can see Jesus, nothing added or taken away. The proof of his life, death, and resurrection is so complete. The answers to the tough questions of faith in Him are easily found. God's DNA is planted throughout the universe from the tiniest flagella to the amazing location of the earth in the galaxy.
I pray for God to reveal himself to you. He will. Simply ask.
God bless,
Scott Paschal
www.christiantennis.net
386 793 0557
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
Dallas
Ok, I thought I was going to get a couple days rest. I mean, I did travel nationwide for over 6 weeks straight. Nope, God says go... so I go. To Big D.
Dallas, Texas. Home of the world famous Dallas Cowboys and the greatest team in the NBA, the Dallas Mavericks.
I love Big D. I was raised in the Dallas/Ft. Worth Metroplex. Staubach and Dorsett... Aikman and Emmitt. Sport is Dallas is second to none in America. The Texas Rangers baseball team rocks and the Dallas Stars NHL team is always challenging for the Stanley Cup.
Sport in Texas is big stuff. Maybe that's why I love sports so much.
So, the day after we did the TV show at the Sony Ericsson Open (formerly the Nasdaq 100 Open), God set up a phone call that led me to fly to Big D the next morning... early. Way too early for my sleepy self. But, I've been in ministry for a while so I know when God says to go and I do just that.
I met with a guy. For now, I'll keep the purpose quiet. But, I will say this is the exact right guy for the situation... actually two situations. Two God-blessed, God-ordained situations and I think he can handle what is to come.
That said, let me change gears and roll down the windows. God's perfect timing has much in store for my walk with Him.
I'm founding a new ministry. A sports ministry.
My time of God carefully developing my personal and spiritual growth through following Him as He worked through me to envision and create and grow to fruition the International Christian Tennis Association has led to the main purpose.
What does all this mean? Well, first let me say I will still be as actively involved in ICTA as my new schedule allows. Next, let me say ICTA will soon rock the tennis world. And I mean ROCK THE TENNIS WORLD. Those of you who think you might have an idea about my intentions... you don't. You can't see that big. Take your wildest dream and it is probably not even close.
That said, I like to build things and when they are built I get bored and look for something new and challenging.
I look forward to the next few months, then I look forward to the next phase in my personal and spiritual development.
Yep, I was tired when I woke up at 5:30am after a short 3 hr nap. The drive, flight, layover, flight, drive, 4hr nap the next night, 7am flight, and drive was good. Coming home was great. Getting to the tennis courts and working with my WTA players was great. Having my junior guys hit for 5 hrs in the awesome Florida sun was great.
I'm cooking Enchillada's tonite. The weather is perfect. ICTA missions has reached over 370,000 in just over a month. My friends love and support me. My mom is doing better after breaking 2 bones in her leg in a fall. Grampa is well at 88 years of age. My brother and I are building a great relationship. My mentors are always a phone call away. My Pro Tennis Team is playing in a pro tournament on a mission trip in Alabama this week coming up and staying at Nasser's house. I have a full week+ to hit balls in the warm Florida sun and lose the 7 lbs of belly I gained on the road....
Life is so good. God is so good. I wouldn't want to be anywhere else doing anything else. I love every single aspect of my life. There is nothing I would add or take away.
Spike, Chris, Robert, Eric, David, David, Dax (look for a call soon, I'm excited about SOAR)... so many friends, so many supporters... I am such a fortunate guy!
God is Good,
Scott
PS... Don't forget to call your local radio stations and ask them to play the Glory Revealed Worship CD! It's currently #3 on the charts. You can check it out at ITUNES, also.
We're heading to the Glory Revealed Tour in Ocala, Florida on April 26! Come with us... and bring your tennis racket as we will all hit before the event begins!
www.gloryrevealed.com
Dallas, Texas. Home of the world famous Dallas Cowboys and the greatest team in the NBA, the Dallas Mavericks.
I love Big D. I was raised in the Dallas/Ft. Worth Metroplex. Staubach and Dorsett... Aikman and Emmitt. Sport is Dallas is second to none in America. The Texas Rangers baseball team rocks and the Dallas Stars NHL team is always challenging for the Stanley Cup.
Sport in Texas is big stuff. Maybe that's why I love sports so much.
So, the day after we did the TV show at the Sony Ericsson Open (formerly the Nasdaq 100 Open), God set up a phone call that led me to fly to Big D the next morning... early. Way too early for my sleepy self. But, I've been in ministry for a while so I know when God says to go and I do just that.
I met with a guy. For now, I'll keep the purpose quiet. But, I will say this is the exact right guy for the situation... actually two situations. Two God-blessed, God-ordained situations and I think he can handle what is to come.
That said, let me change gears and roll down the windows. God's perfect timing has much in store for my walk with Him.
I'm founding a new ministry. A sports ministry.
My time of God carefully developing my personal and spiritual growth through following Him as He worked through me to envision and create and grow to fruition the International Christian Tennis Association has led to the main purpose.
What does all this mean? Well, first let me say I will still be as actively involved in ICTA as my new schedule allows. Next, let me say ICTA will soon rock the tennis world. And I mean ROCK THE TENNIS WORLD. Those of you who think you might have an idea about my intentions... you don't. You can't see that big. Take your wildest dream and it is probably not even close.
That said, I like to build things and when they are built I get bored and look for something new and challenging.
I look forward to the next few months, then I look forward to the next phase in my personal and spiritual development.
Yep, I was tired when I woke up at 5:30am after a short 3 hr nap. The drive, flight, layover, flight, drive, 4hr nap the next night, 7am flight, and drive was good. Coming home was great. Getting to the tennis courts and working with my WTA players was great. Having my junior guys hit for 5 hrs in the awesome Florida sun was great.
I'm cooking Enchillada's tonite. The weather is perfect. ICTA missions has reached over 370,000 in just over a month. My friends love and support me. My mom is doing better after breaking 2 bones in her leg in a fall. Grampa is well at 88 years of age. My brother and I are building a great relationship. My mentors are always a phone call away. My Pro Tennis Team is playing in a pro tournament on a mission trip in Alabama this week coming up and staying at Nasser's house. I have a full week+ to hit balls in the warm Florida sun and lose the 7 lbs of belly I gained on the road....
Life is so good. God is so good. I wouldn't want to be anywhere else doing anything else. I love every single aspect of my life. There is nothing I would add or take away.
Spike, Chris, Robert, Eric, David, David, Dax (look for a call soon, I'm excited about SOAR)... so many friends, so many supporters... I am such a fortunate guy!
God is Good,
Scott
PS... Don't forget to call your local radio stations and ask them to play the Glory Revealed Worship CD! It's currently #3 on the charts. You can check it out at ITUNES, also.
We're heading to the Glory Revealed Tour in Ocala, Florida on April 26! Come with us... and bring your tennis racket as we will all hit before the event begins!
www.gloryrevealed.com
Monday, March 26, 2007
International Christian Tennis Association: Miami TV Show Production
The video production crew was outstanding and taping the TV show during the Sony Ericsson Open down in the Miami area was a breeze. Look for the show to air in 2 weeks.More on that in a minute. First, let me say it is soo good to be home after well over a month on the road during an ICTA mission tour. It's good to go to my church, sleep in my bed, cook in my kitchen...
For those of you just tuning in, International Christian Tennis Association missions has spent weeks journeying across America and back, and way down into Mexico.
We've traveled from our home base in Palm Coast, Florida north to Memphis, Tennessee where we hosted a week+ large-scale mission outreach. Check out my blog: ICTA Tennessee
From there we drove back home, took a few days to rest, unpack, and repack... then we flew to Phoenix, Arizona and drove to Indian Wells, California for a 2 week mission trip during the 6th largest pro tournament in the world, the Pacific Life Open. At this same time our ICTA Women's Pro Tennis Team flew to Mexico for an outreach.
Check out my ICTA California blog & pics
After ICTA gained 1000+ members and gave out hundreds of Christian Bibles, tracks, and gift books in Indian Wells during the tournament, we drove to Las Vegas, Nevada for a few days of street missions. Our stay at the Excaliber Hotel and Casino was a blast and everyone realized an intense need for ministry work on the famous Las Vegas Strip.
From Vegas we visited the Hoover Dam and drove to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. Words can't describe the Grand Canyon. After sharing our witness at that amazing place, we drove to the gorgeous mountain town of Flagstaff, Arizona. From there we drove one of the most beautiful drives ever south to Phoenix where we caught a flight to
Atlanta. (I'll write more about all of this soon... and add some pics for you.)Then, because of airline bunk, we ended up renting a car and driving the 400+ miles from Atlanta to Palm Coast where we enjoyed a brief but restful day before driving down to Miami to tape a TV Show and watch some tennis.
So, back to the show. The camera crew and photographer were first rate. I enjoyed their professionalism and could quickly see their passion for their work. The interviewer was high quality. She has "been here done that" and it showed! The PR gal was a joy to work with.
In fact the whole experience was great. I look forward to working with this crew over the upcoming years! They have a tremendous ministry and calling. I'll share more and more about them as time goes by. They totally rock and I see a strong partnership developing between us all!
My favorite part was watching Melody Snelen and Rachel Snelen shine in their interviews. They were outstanding, beautiful, Christ-like, and captured the hearts of everyone working and watching. Anastasia Kharchenko settled her nerves and her bubbly personality took over during her film time. I was proud of all three of them! We have lots of pics coming as the professional photographer sends them to us. In addition, I look forward to gaining a DVD of the show to possibly give to all new ICTA members & to add to our upcoming new web sites.
As for me, I enjoyed sharing my life and experiences which brought me face to face with my call to ministry. The ICTA is just the tip of the iceberg for what I have been working on for the last several years in preparing for my walk into fulltime ministry for Him.
My call to ministry was not the International Christian Tennis Association! The ICTA has been what God has used to grow and develop me. To show me my strengths and weaknesses. To teach me the importance of persecution. To show me that to be the greatest you must learn to be the weakest and servant of all.
A tennis analogy would be ICTA for me has been like a series of tennis lessons, practice matches, and local tournaments as a new tennis player learns the fundamentals of strokes and strategies.
What's coming up in my life!? Well, stay tuned and I'll try to keep you posted.
For now... thank you for all of your prayers. Your phone calls and emails mean the word to us. Your ICTA boldly declares His name and Good News throughout the richest sport in the world. What we do is not easy, nor is it supposed to be. That said, those of you who take your time to contact us, we really appreciate you and thank God for your support.
God bless,
Scott Paschal
Thursday, March 08, 2007
ICTA Large Scale Mission Trip: Pacific Life Open
Hello there!
This is Scott Paschal. We are currently on an ICTA Mission Trip to California!
To see my daily blog of this amazing mission trip, click here!
Right now as I type I am sitting in ICTA's Exhibitor's booth directly inside the world's 6th largest pro tournament. The trip has been amazing.
In a few moments we will close our booth for the day and go watch some world class tennis. I love pro tennis. And the tournament site here in Indian Wells is gorgeous. Easily one of the most beautiful places we've been. Like Hawaii.
I'm excited to bring a yearly tennis tour group here with my tennis tour company.
And right now I'm really excited to go see ICTA alumni Julia Vakulenko play tennis in her first round main draw match. It's been really great seeing Julia here at the tournament. She has come a long way from the girl she was just one year ago.
I am still to this day so grateful that God used me to intervene in Julia's suicide just over a year ago. Then, she came to my tennis academy in Florida where God used me to let Julia know he does love her and care for her! Now, here she is still alive... and playing the best tennis of her life!!
From Julia wanting to commit suicide from the culmination of years of physical, sexual, mental, and spiritual abuse... to Julia getting healthy and playing pro tennis again!
Speaking of tennis... I'm also excited to have been able to help her with her tennis! So great! I enjoyed rebuilding Julia spiritually... and physically. And I completely overhauled her tennis game! Footwork, forehand, fitness, core strength, strategies & tactics. So much fun!
Hey, before training with me Julia needed 33 tournaments to reach top 100 WTA...
Then, after just 2 months training with me she needed just 13! Not too bad, huh!?
Keep Julia in your prayers as she fights a difficult fight to learn who is and who isn't truly her friend, and to help her continue to seek God in all she does.
Gotta go watch her match!
God bless,
Scotty
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