International Christian Tennis Association: Family of Missionaries Serves WTA Tour

Rachel and Melody (Fulltime ICTA Staff), and their mother, Joy Snelen, are a family of missionaries working together to reach WTA Tour players with the Gospel message.

Advanced beginners in 1999 at 16 years of age, Rachel and Melody, twin sisters, had a dream to hold WTA rankings and share their Christian faith.

Seven years later these talented twins are WTA ranked players with a full 2007 schedule of mission trips to WTA and ITF tournaments, many in which they will compete. Their ministry blossomed in 2006!

"I think it is exciting to work alongside my sister and mother to reach these players with the Gospel message which will change their lives!" Melody Snelen

The Snelen twins are currently training with the International Christian Tennis Association.

Rachel Snelen backhand

Their mother and father, Tommy and Joyce Snelen, were music missionaries singing in churches and at events nationwide. Rachel and Melody, along with their brother, went with them.

Thus, these WTA Tour twins are missionaries at heart!

It hasn't been an easy road. Both girls have had serious obstacles to overcome such as the emotional death of their father to cancer in 2001, and a devastating drug addiction by their brother after he was sexually molested for years by a pedophile.

In addition, as very young girls the Snelen twins were abused by a pastor who also served as a President of a Florida Baptist Association.

"The majority of girls we have reached on the WTA tour have been sexually abused at some point in their life. It can harden their hearts towards God and cause them to go down the wrong paths. We want to show them the abuse was not their fault, explain how sin originally entered the world, and offer them a new life in Jesus and a new reason for living that comes from accepting Him as their Lord and Savior. " Melody Snelen

Bringing their Gospel message to the WTA Tour players has been well received. The WTA players they meet respect the twin's playing ability and determination on court, which has proven influential in some cases.

Melody Snelen (lt) and Rachel Snelen (rt) on 2006 ICTA Pro Tennis Team mission trip to ITF $75,000.

For instance, Rachel practiced at one pro tournament with a world class player who is ranked top 120 WTA. Their workout was strong as both ladies pounded the ball at each other. Then, after practice when Rachel offered her an ICTA Tract Pack, the girl literally convulsed, as she was an atheist from the Czech Republic.

Yet, though the first girl was not a Christian, a seed was planted as she and Rach did develop a friendship and parted ways on good terms. Rachel was able to use her high level of tennis play to gain the respect of the Czech player, gain even more respect by standing up for her faith, then earn her friendship by staying kind and understanding.

Another world class player, a top 110 WTA, was glad to know Rachel and was excited for her ICTA Tract Pack gift she received from Rachel after their workout in Canada. They developed a strong bond which will only strengthen over time. It is will be exciting to see this girl's faith grow as she moves into the elite tennis levels of Grand Slam competition.

Twins and team members at Palm Coast, Florida fair

Yet, whenever a ministry has much potential, there will always be attacks from satanic forces. This is a Biblical promise. Shining the light of His word in a fallen world begs for trouble from the forces of eveil.

Rachel and Melody Snelen have a cutting edge ministry that is powerfully influencing the lives of among the top WTA players in the world. Not only them, but top ITF juniors, parents, coaches, tournament directors and staff.

In addition, the twins mentor other members of the ICTA Women's Pro Tennis Team. People worldwide are being influenced by the evangelistic missionary passion God has instilled and developed inside of the Snelen twins.

Rachel Snelen (rt) and Melody Snelen (lt) distributing Bibles, fans, Christian books & more at ICTA's booth in the stadium at the 2006 Cincinnati Masters.

Coach Scott Paschal, who is also ICTA's founder, says, "It is an exciting time for a lot of us to see how far they have come. They both could be doing so many other things with their lives, but have decided to follow their passion.

At 23 years of age the sky is the limit for their ministry potential.

2007-2008 will be special for Melody and Rachel's ministry to the WTA Tour players. They have had and continue to have the mentoring and support of some of the finest Christian men and women in the world.

Through their work, female tennis players are finding Christ as their Lord and Savior."

Kara, Rachel, and Tel trying on 1920's style tennis clothing for upcoming ICTA Video

From the death of their father, to overcoming a late start in tennis, to recovering from serious injuries, and more; God has strengthened and developed both of these 23 year old twins into really special Christian women who know what their ministry is and why they have been called.

The joy of seeing the results of the last 7 years of hard work on and off the court has been an amazing ride.

Melody Snelen hitting a forehand in an ITF Women's Challenger in Mexico

2006 has been a special year for Rachel and Melody Snelen. They both earned their WTA rankings, a dream come true, and established a successful ministry on the pro tour. Rachel was the first to gain her WTA ranking this April. Melody followed closely behind.

Though they are improving their tennis everyday, both girl's feel the pressure is off as they did reach their dream of gaining their WTA rankings. Anything else is just fun!

There are 1497 WTA rankings shared by over 1800 WTA players. Some players in the lower 1/3 have the same amount of points and tournaments played, thus many players share a ranking.

Rachel earned her ranking and within 6 months rose over 250 spots to WTA # 1139, which placed her ahead of 600+ WTA players. Very few players in the world ever gain a WTA ranking, much less are ranked higher than over 600 WTA players! Great job, twin!

Melody earned her ranking and quickly rose over 150 spots to WTA 1211, which places her ahead of 500+ WTA players. Great job, twin!

Both girls overcame tremendous injuries this year, even playing injured at times. Now, they are strong and healthy and ready to compete.

Rachel Snelen serve

2007 will be their first year to play a full tournament schedule in over 5 years.

"Neither girl lacks skill or ability. They lack tournament experience. The decision was made to invest money in training, equipment, nutritional supplements, etc. so they could increase their playing skills. Now in 2007-2008 they will travel fulltime on the tour. Both will break into the top 1000 WTA in 2007 and by this time next year will be brimming with confidence riding the momentum into 2008." Scott Paschal, Coach

Adding to the mix is the fact that all of their tennis training and travels provides the platform for their ministry to WTA players on and off court.

Both Rachel and Melody Snelen are building a network of WTA ranked players. From top 50 WTA on down to their peer level, the twins are gaining quite a network and positively impacting professional women's tennis.

Players have received an ICTA Tract Pack from the twins, emails and phone numbers have been exchanged, and relationships have been established.

The life of a world class tennis player is difficult. The Christian influences are minimal. Rachel, Melody, and Joy Snelen will have a tremendous impact of the lives of WTA players as these evangelistic missionaries work together to travel the globe sharing the Gospel of Jesus to the girls of the WTA Tour.