Feeling the Mo Flow...

Phil, Rach, Mark, and I had a great time today meeting people, sharing information about our ministry, and watching God work in our lives and in the lives of others.

This pic is of a neat group of guys from Mexico. They flew to Cincy just for the tournament. We enjoyed talking and laughing with them. Mark (2nd from rt) is one of my fulltime Christian tennis academy students. He is also from Mexico! His parents are missionaries who plant churches. All of these funny guys are planning to come to our ICTA Church Service on Sunday at 10am. Will be great to have them join us.

Our missions team has really began to gel. The momentum has swung in our favor and we feel strong and on fire for God. Much like a tennis match has its own momentum, a mission trip does as well!

Planning and implementing a large scale, short-term mission trip is a big task. 100's of hours of work go into making it a success. There is truly much love we put in!

This mission trip to Cincy started out really rough. Satan was at his best (worst) to make life difficult for us. The mo began to change when we visited our ministry friends in Birmingham, Alabama on our way to Cincy. Spending time with people who love us means so much!

Plus, Brent came to see me! What an awesome suprise. Brent spent a semester with me, then earned a full college scholarship to a junior college in Bama. It is always so good to spend time with a former student who appreciates all the love and hard work I put into developing them. Brent's big hugs were the best.

Upon arrival in Cincy, our missions team began working very hard. God began blessing our work!

We felt the God of the universe using us in many special ways. Let me give you a few examples! Bibles & Christian books went out to 100's of people. Our "God is Good" fans were everywhere! A very famous tennis player showed fantastic interest in our exhibitor's booth.

Another famous player & his coach received our Christian books! Seekers found a place to see Christ reflecting off of us. Strong relationships were formed with pastors & youth pastors. My friend, Phil (next to me in pic), has seen God direct him into tennis ministry in a big way... in fact, I would say he will soon be one of the bigtime names in Christian tennis ministry.

I almost didn't bring ICTA to this event! I'm focused heavily on doing what it takes to build a tennis facility for ICTA, plus developing the Scott Paschal Tennis Tour Co. Plus, a mission trips is exhausting. Really, really exhausting.

That said, I almost didn't come. But, we did. For this God is blessing more at this event than at any other we have attended. He wanted us here for many reasons. He needed work to be done and no one else is willing to do it. So, here we are.

We have 2 more days, then back to Palm Coast after a night's rest in Birmingham. I have special students coming in from America and internationally for our Christian tennis academy's Fall 2006 Semester. That is always exciting!

God is blessing our efforts. I'm feeling the Mo and loving it!

God bless!

Scott Paschal
386 793 0557
www.christiantennis.net

"I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." Paul in Galations 2:20

Lovin' My Enemies!

Can we talk?

Today, I feel I need to write something that is pretty important to me. Sure, my schedule is really packed right now as we are on a large scale International Christian Tennis Association mission trip... but, I'd really like to talk to you.

See this picture above? That's me on the left. Next is Mark from Mexico, Freddy , Melody, and Rachel. We're here in Cincy on a large scale mission trip reaching tens of thousands with the Gospel.

As I looked at this pic taken this afternoon, one main thought came to my mind...

Thank God for enemies.

Sounds weird, huh? But, it's true.

I can tell you 100% that I would not be in Cincy right now reaching tens of thousands for Christ if it hadn't been for those people in my life who would try to harm the growth and success of the International Christian Tennis Association.

Through the attempts of my "enemies" to cause trouble, I learned how to become more dependent on Christ to get things done. Instead of trusting in my abilities, I learned to trust His abilities. My "enemies" kept me on my toes making sure I was forced into situation after situation where I would have to rely on Him!

In attempts to slander, they kept pointing out flaws in my abilities which they felt needed to be "exposed" in order to prove I am not worthy of serving God... though these men are Godless! Some of their complaints made sense and actually helped! There were (ARE) areas I needed to improve in. Unknowingly, they showed me what the ICTA needed to do to be recognized internationally as a legitimate sports ministry.

Though it was not their intention, they helped skyrocket the advancement of International Christian Tennis Association. Through attacking our young ministry, we strengthened and grew well past all my expectations and well into what I had always imagined!

Without God using "my enemies" the ICTA may not have yet had a legitimate membership as my enemies claimed there were "no ICTA members", thus ICTA is just "a figment in Scott Paschal's imagination!" They were right! We needed legitimate members.

This, of course, led to my "imagination" leading us to gain new members at the most famous tennis events in the world during our new ICTA Global Mission Trips! Thanks guys! Now, we have legitimate members from over 1500 cities in 50 countries worldwide.

Plus, 1000's and 1000's of Bibles, Christian books, tracts, videos, ICTA bookmarks & balloons... have been given away to interested people. It was fun to personally see how God used my "enemies" to grow and develop this ministry in many ways.

In addition, my Christian mentors were initially attracted to helping me simply because they saw me getting picked on by a few bullies and felt God leading them to help me.

In other ways my "enemies" helped...our tournament booths would have been less bold, our clothing less creative, our tennis academy less Christ-centered. Everything would have been less, weaker, kind of boring and humdrum.

In fact, I might have quit sports ministry altogether and simply been a tennis director at a small club while teaching Sunday School at my local church!

But, seeing how Satan used his people to slander and bully me when I stood up for Jesus in tennis, and especially while I was working to help abused tennis players, lit a burning fire inside my heart to take the message of Salvation through Christ throughout the tennis world.

I dedicated myself to work 10 times harder and more focused than before! God gave me the strength, the connection & contacts, the finances, the patience (still working on it :), the supporters, the staff, and the friends needed. Oh, and he gave me the enemies!

Seeing Satan use his demons to manipulate & slander all of my efforts was awe inspiring. I actually enjoyed seeing his next move, and watching Bible promises become live action! If Satan was after me this much, I MUST be on to something BIG!!

Then, to see the God of the universe wait until I've learned lessons only persecution can bring and wait until I'm pretty beaten up until He steps in and takes over... one word... AMAZING.

I actually can't wait for more persecution. I understand what being crucified with Christ means. I get it now. It makes sense, now. Persecution is needed for a Christian to be effective for Christ.

I truly love my enemies. I understand what Jesus meant when He commanded us to love those who would do us harm. Phil, Jeff, Bob... I love you guys! You are the three musketeers Satan used allowed by God to grow and develop me while taking this ministry worldwide at a level higher than I thought was possible this soon.

Who knew!?

Jesus knows none of us are perfect. In fact, if you study the Bible at all, you know He chose flawed people to grow His Kingdom. He used both those people who followed Him, and those people who followed Satan, for His will to be done.

Something neat happened just this week. I was a bit stalled as to what to do with few upcoming projects. One project has the ability to bring ICTA a mid to high six figure profit. But, the project was too intensive for my limited abilities in that area. So, I prayed for God to take over in a big way. I could do a lot of good worldwide with $500,000.

So directly after my prayer, one of my "enemies" began another 1/2 truth smear campaign against me.

This motivated me and opened up my creative side which had been in a rut. It also brought the exact person I needed for my project to blossom!

My "enemy's" renewed persecution of me was exactly what I needed to see God more clearly, and to work 100% more focused and creatively. Things had staled and stalled in some ways... not now! Thanks! Now, I'm pumped and motivated and God is blessing.

This particular enemy, within a year, may have helped bring a mid to high six figure income into ICTA's finances, plus help ICTA travel internationally in a way that was not expected for another 5 years, if then! His recent persecution of me brought the God of the universe to bring a specifically needed group of people into my life.

Something so simple as new attack from an old enemy motivated God to motivate this friend of mine to take over and grow one of my dreams, which will take my ministry to a level I only dreamed about. The enemy God placed in my has done it again! His bully & scare tactics in a really odd way are such a blessing.

I'm going to make my three bully musketeers a deal, right here and now!

10% of all income from this ICTA dream becoming reality ministry program will be placed into the new Thanks Jeff! Thanks Phil! Thanks Bob! ICTA Tennis & College Scholarship Program for boys and girls. I would love to one day be able to provide tens of $1000's to bring kids to ICTA's Christ centered, high performance tennis academy in Florida for free! And to provide college scholarships to kids with financial needs! Awesome!

Jeff, Phil, and Bob... my three musketeer bully enemies will help terrific tennis juniors to come train with me fulltime for free! What a fun thought I look forward to sharing!

This program will bless kids worldwide as they attend ICTA's tennis academy and mission trips on a scholarship basis paid 100% by the program blessed by the slander from all of you! Plus, college! Wow!

It's amazing to see the way God makes things happen we could never have done on our own.
What an amazing mission trip week this has been. God blesses faithfulness.

Enemies can be your best friends! In fact, a fair estimate would be that all of my current mentors were attracted to supporting me by discovering the enemies Satan brought to attempt to defeat the Gospel being spread throughout the tennis world internationally!

Now, in some ways, because of you three bullies, people worldwide are discovering Christ! In an odd way... thanks!

For those of you reading this blog entry, pray for your enemies. God uses them for His very specific needs. With the God of the universe on your side, nothing will stand in your way.

Now, on to the Cincy mission trip...


Here's a pic of a couple of new ICTA Cincy members! How cute is this wonderful girl! She liked our God is Good fan a lot!


Here's a pic of our booth! Melody Snelen ( ICTA staff since 1999) is working hard signing up new members, giving away tshirts to those who provide a donation to ICTA, giving people Bibles, signing up people to travel with ICTA members on Scott Paschal Tennis Tours, telling people about our upcoming ICTA cruise on the Music Boat, and telling people about Jesus!

We're on pace to gain more new members this year that all of last year! Pastors, tennis coaches & pros, housewives, doctors, teachers... many people from all walks of life. And we have made a great new personal connection with a top ATP coach & player. Plus, a highly famous tennis player viewed our entire booth with interest & curiosity.

The International Christian Tennis Association points to Jesus. He is our focus. Every ICTA program He designs and blesses. I work hard to be less of me and more of him. And hey, as the baby of the family & a tennis pro, it's hard to not be the center of attention! But, I'm learning!

And He's patiently teaching in His timing an His ways.

Phil... Jeff... Bob... thanks guys! Thanks for being exactly who you are and doing those manipulative things you do.

For those of you currently under persecution, please focus on Christ. It could be that He is trying to get your attention to take you to the next level!

Finally, Scott C., my new friend, I love doing the new radio show with you! You are surely a talent and I look forward to many great shows reaching millions each week for Him.

God bless from beautiful Cincy at the Western & Southern Financial Group Masters!

Scott Paschal
www.christiantennis.net
386 793 0557

Cincinnati Mission Trip...

Welcome to my journal for our International Christian Tennis Association mission trip to Cincinnati, Ohio during the Cincinnati Master's Series ATP tournament. That's me on the right! I'm standing with a new ICTA member who is both a Reverend and a PH.D. and looks forward to working with us to grow God's Kingdom.

I am honored to be in this beautiful area again for the 2nd year in a row serving God as He leads.

The Cincinnati Master's is simply one of the finest managed professional tennis events in the world. Players, fans, media, and exhibitors (me!) all look forward to coming each year! If you live in the heartland of America and can attend just one event this year... I highly recommend you come here with us!

I'll locate some "blogtime" each day to keep you updated. Internet time is hard to come by with our busy schedule, but knowing our web site home page is now receiving at times up to 800 hits per day (up from 5 hits per week in 2003:)... with up to 15,000 page views per week... well, that gets me pretty excited and motivated to write in my journal.

This mission trip began months ago with financial preparation, supplies logistics, and manpower needs. 100's of hours of prep time followed by 100's of hours of volunteer work make International Christian Tennis Association mission trips happen.

We left Palm Coast last Thursday to drive to Birmingham, Alabama. Birmingham is about 1/2 way to Cincy. We all stayed the night with a ministry friend/mentor of mine. He and his wife took us out to eat and gave us a welcome night's rest in their house. After breakfast we all played tennis and had a great time before we headed back out on the road to Cincy.

On Saturday we arrived in Cincy after 3 days on the road. We stayed the night at a friend's house before checking into our hotel. Sunday, we visited the tournament site, received our credentials, checked the booth, then headed over to King's Island where everyone rode a bunch of roller coaster rides till dark! Fun time! We all are allowed in King's Island Amusement park for free while we are here.

We are all very tired, but glad we made it here safely and grateful God is using us to reach people for Him. This week will be full of very special Kingdom work and I look forward to the adventures ahead.

Please keep us in your prayers.

God bless!

Scott Paschal
Christian Tennis Nut

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Awesome Christian Tennis Camp!

We have had an amazing time here in beautiful Palm Coast, Florida at the International Christian Tennis Association's High Performance Christian Tennis Camp.

This is Scott Paschal, I run the place...

and I love tennis!

I love to coach tennis and I love to hit balls.

Tennis is the greatest sport in the world. I wish each of you could come visit me and train! I wish I had more room to bring in more players. This Christian tennis camp has been outstanding and you would love it.

Yes, I wrote Christian. Such a scandalous word these days!

But, you know what? I don't care! Jesus is the real deal. If you don't believe me, give me a call. I'll be glad to tell you all about Him, as well as answer your tough questions. I may just be a smalltime preacher, but I'm not afraid to answer the hard questions about Jesus that people need answered.

With the God of the universe on my side, how could I be afraid!? And to me, it takes more faith to be an atheist than a Christian! So, call me and let's talk.

The weather has been fantastic for our 2 a day workouts! My students have been a blast! This group was fun, and I mean fun! I keep my camps small, just 7 to 10 players total so I can really develop them. As such, we all have so much fun getting to really know each other.

Here are a few pics to let you meet everyone! I'll write more in a bit...

A quick pic during practice of ICTA Christian Tennis Campers! In this pic is Jesse, Jon, Me, Rachel,and Chris. Not in pic are Joe, Kara, Melody, and Mark.

Playing some doubles at the end of workout!

I love to cook! This night I cooked some chicken on the grill outside. We also had mashed potatoes, corn on the cob, and fresh snapped green beans. This is a pic of (lt to rt) Chris, Mark, Melody Snelen, Kara, and Rachel Snelen. We had a blast hitting balls twice today, enjoyed a great dinner, then they all went bowling in their pajamas before coming back home and destroying a delicious watermelon!

This is a pic of the kitchen in my house. I'm there in the back wearing a white sleeveless shirt. We're all hanging out spending some time with Mark's mom, Robin (rt). Robin and her husband are missionaries in Mexico. Mark (fulltime student) is seated at the table in the light blue shirt.

The gang loves to go bowling in their pajamas! Chris is THE worst bowler in the world.

Finishing lunch!

Here's a pic of Kara and Jesse playing ping pong. I love ping pong! It is amazing for hand eye coordination... and much better for teamwork and bonding than TV or the internet!

What a fantastic time I have enjoyed with a special group of Christian athletes during my tennis camp these last few weeks! We have all enjoyed an incredible experience of growing closer to Christ. I am always in awe of God working in the hearts and minds of young athletes when they are immersed in His word.

You see, I am not only passionate about world class tennis and want my students to improve way beyond their wildest expectations, which I have seen over and over, I am also passionate about Jesus! I am totally consumed with love for the God of the universe.

I wasn't always, but I am now. My life as a teen and a young adult was difficult... parent's divorce, Dad's death, sports injuries... I was heading the wrong way in a big way!

But, God used my old football coach and a pastor to keep me from giving up completely. Their positive Christian influence helped shape the life of a scared and lonely young kid named Scott Paschal! These two men of God pointed to Jesus and taught me what He looks like.

They loved me and cared about me, though I didn't see much of me that was worth their love. God reached me!

So, now I am a person who loves the Lord with all I have and I want to tell everyone about eternal Salvation through faith in Jesus! Wow, I get excited just typing this!

Ok, back to the camp! We pounded the fuzz off of those tennis balls in 2 a day workouts. Man, I love hitting tennis balls. And I love hitting twice a day!

We'd all wake up and have breakfast, enjoy a wonderful Discipleship Training, then jump on our Gary Fisher mountain bikes to ride to the courts. Everybody was stoked (oops, '80's vocab... sorry teens) to hit for the entire camp.

I get excited because I can say every single player in my camp improved every single day! How many coaches can say that and how many parents would 100% agree. I love seeing my kids get stronger, faster, more flexible, quicker, smarter!

We pounded the ball in 2 on 1 change of direction drills. We worked hard in the hot Florida sun. We had an amazing time pushing ourselves to achieve our best.

Workouts were so strong and confident I couldn't wait for the next one! Every kid improved! Every kid had a blast! Our stereo system was blasting out some tunes, the kids were pounding the ball, I'm coaching and hitting! AWESOME!

But, as fun as the tennis training was... something even better was going on. I was teaching a fantastic series on Leadership Development in our Discipleship Training after breakfast!

Kids today have little knowledge of leadership skills! You know what kids today know!? They know how to isolate themselves. They lock themselves in their own little worlds while singing the tune me-me-me. A typical top junior tennis player today looks like this...

They spend most of their day isolated and alone. They sit in front of a laptop computer for 6 to 10 hours a day. What do they do... they IM (instant message) their friends, write emails, and mindlessly surf the net. While doing this they usually have a set of headphones pumping garbage into their heads from their IPOD with at least 5000 songs on it most of which they stole of the www with Limewire. Of course their cell phone is busily ringing or dialing or taking pics or receiving messages. And during this mess they take breaks to play video games or watch TV!

Kids today are in trouble! They have learned to shut out the real world and live in a fantasy world of isolation!

To help, I speak passionately about the need for Christian kids to stand up and be different from the world. How can they lead someone to Christ if they are locked in their own little, isolated, world!? And how can they lead someone to Christ when they have no leadership skills!?

So, for this awesome Christian tennis camp we focused on Christian leadership skill development.

We studied such things as Character, Charisma, commitment, Communication, Competence, Courage, Discernment, Focus, Generosity, Initiative, Listening, Passion, Positive Attitude, Problem Solving, Relationships, Responsibility, Security, Self-Discipline, Servanthood, Teachability, and Visions.

Wow, that's great stuff! The kids ate it up! They loved it. They know they needed it and they loved how it began to rewire their way of viewing the world!

Jesus is amazing. He is so opposite of boring! Yes, the Bible is totally able to out-do the internet any day! When kids start to understand their responsibility as young Christian men and women, they begin to crave learning more about Jesus!

We had such a GREAT time together. From Ping Pong wars, to bowling in their pajamas, to board games, to swimming at the beach after workout, to Christian videos & Discipleship training, to homecooked meals, to 2 a day tennis workouts... this has been another AWESOME tennis camp.

The Fall Semester is shaping up to be just as incredible! The kids coming in are going to grow so much in their faith. The focus around here is Jesus. Everything points to Him!

Hitting tennis balls and telling people about Jesus... can life get any better!!?

God bless!

Scott Paschal
www.christiantennis.net
386 793 0557

The Birth of a Mission Trip...

God is so blessing the International Christian Tennis Association, my staff, our tennis missionary students, and me.

This is Scott Paschal, I'm the current Ministry Director of the ICTA.

This has been another one of those weeks I have been in awe of Him. The way God brings people in and out of my life for very specific reasons and seasons is amazing to personally witness.

Our upcoming mission trip to the largest men's pro tournament in the world, the Cincinnati Masters Series, reminds me of just how fun it can be to see God at work... how he used a small step in faith to do big things!

I'll try to explain. Just over a year ago, ICTA was invited to be a major sponsor of the most prestigious junior tennis tournament for 12-and-unders in the United States. We agreed and committed to a large investment of our time and finances. The blessed response from God to our faithful committment was immediate and incredible. He was making sure we knew He was there guiding our steps.

Rach, Mel, and I had arrived to the tournament hotel sign-in area late that day. We only had maybe 30 minutes to do a 1.5 hr prep job on our table. Needless to say, we didn't get everything set up before the little squirts began to arrive to sign-in. At first, we were concerned that we didn't have everything out. We wanted everyone to know what our ministry offered!

But, God had other plans. He didn't need our fancy signs! God had our table surrounded with kids within 10 minutes of the doors opening... and it stayed that way for over 3 hours! In fact, I'm not sure if the kids went to any other table. It was awesome.

At the tournament hotel where sign-in would take place, we were given a 8' table in the sign-in room. Others had tables as well. To make a long story short, our table had kids packed up to 5 to 10 deep! They surrounded us from all sides! Nearly every table was empty of kids, except ours.

These young juniors are the future of American tennis. Capriotti, Agassi, and Spadea all had previously won this tournament. Now, here was a new generation of future pros surrounding us from all sides learning about how much Jesus loves them.

I gave them all an ICTA God is Good T-Shirt. Every kid that wanted one received this gift for free!

They received Bibles, some for the first time! We had our balloons and bookmarks. Plus, they received either The Prayer of Jabez for Kids or The Secrets of the Grapevine for Kids. These two amazing books were written by Bruce Wilkenson.

I think everyone there was amazed at how God reached these kids that day. They were starving for something meaningful in their empty chase of high junior rankings. By the time sign-in was over, over 70% of the 128 girls and the 128 boys had signed up to become members of the International Christian Tennis Association! More would have, but they couldn't reach us at our table before their practice court was available.

#1, #2, #3, #5, #6, #7, #8, #10... dozens of the top girls and boys in the nation poured into the ICTA family.

It was absolutely incredible. During sign-in, kids already were wearing their new ICTA God is Good shirts everywhere! Normally cranky & competitive tennis parents were actually speaking with each other. The tournament staff was overwhelmed at the wonderful response, and were praised by the parents for not discriminating against our Christian ministry.

How can I adequately explain how amazing I felt seeing everything unfold. There aren't enough words. Parents thanked us constantly. People called friends to tell the of our tennis ministry and our many ministry programs. The impact was immediate and the ripples shot out nationwide.

Now, let me talk about the financial side. Our ministry's total financial investment value was really high... an astronomically high sponsorship fee, 200 t-shirts, 250 books/Bibles/devotionals, balloons & bookmarks, tracts, coloring books & crayons, 600 miles of travel expenses... our little ministry's total financial investment value was around $7000 for a 4hr window of opportunity to reach these kids for Christ.

Ouch! We are a volunteer driven organization with no financial backers or major donors!

We made the financial commitment before we knew if we could afford it. We're a really small ministry, and we volunteer our time to make this ministry happen. But, we just knew God was leading us to be at the junior tournament! So, we went. On faith and faith alone.

Within hours of this committment, God provided a random person who paid for the entire sponsorship fee! I'm not kidding. Rach & Mel were talking to a lady who was providing them a host home at a Pro-Am they were competing in... and the lady wanted to pay for it. Amazing.

As 200 ICTA God is Good T-Shirts made their way to their new homes nationwide, as kids began to read God-blessed books, as Bibles were studied, as ICTA bookmarks made their way into schools, as the ICTA God is Good T-Shirts were worn in tennis facilities and at top junior tennis tournaments...

as parents were forced to realize tennis is small and God is big, as tennis pros read God is Good while their star students trained on their courts, as fathers began nightly Christian devotionals with their sons and daughters with the gift books they received...

as people began asking these kids & parents who Jesus is, as people began to see Jesus, as Jesus began to become the focal point of conversation instead of tennis...

God began blessing ICTA.

How? There is not enough room in this journal entry. I would need to talk with you for hours and hours. Yet, suffice to say, that little mission trip was just a test of faith by God for me. It was Him asking me to trust His plan.

It was the Creator of the universe having patience with the guy who thought $7000 was going to be a lot of money for 4 hrs of ministry. It was about me being taught how little I know and how much He knows.

That little financial investment brought the God of the universe alongside us while He grew our ministry way past where we thought we could be at that point.

The small investment of our time turned into an uncountable number of hours of others investing back into us. Our baby steps of faith were so blessed as God taught us further how to walk with Him.

How? Well, ICTA's annual large scale mission trip to the Cincinnati Master's Series is a direct result of our short mission trip to a junior tennis tournament! Through a God sized series of events which began at that junior tennis tournament, ICTA was brought to Cincy! I get pumped just thinking about it, again!

I'm excited to drive to Cincy! This is going to be an incredible mission trip & tennis camp!

People will meet Jesus through our work. I love that thought.

I've met Jesus.

My life is a direct result of His love and grace.

Christ has so affected my life that all I want to do now is share Him with you. Some people say He isn't real. I tell them they should meet Him like I did. This is going to be an AWESOME mission trip...

Look for journal updates with pics of our wonderful missionaries, tennis camps, booth, missions, etc on the home page of our web site!

Stepping out in faith is incredible.

God bless!

Scott Paschal
www.christiantennis.net
386 793 0557

A Christian Tennis Welcome to Chris from Evert's!

Hello there!

This is Scott Paschal...

This past week has been a whirlwind of activity for my smalltown self.

I hope your week has been good and that God is busily developing your dreams and goals. He certainly will if you give Him the opportunity to come inside your life and be your guide. I'm living proof!

First, let me say how much fun I'm having with my new student, Chris!

What neat guy and a breath of fresh air to begin the new season. I've known Chris' family for over 3 years.

His mom, Susie, is a pediatrician in Miami, and his dad, Chuck, is a psychiatrist on staff at a Miami church. Both of Chris' parents are wonderful, caring supporters of the International Christian Tennis Association, and of me!

Chris had been at the Evert Tennis Academy in Boca.

Susie called me to see if I could coach Chris. I had no openings, but after a few days I really felt God calling me to work with him, so I agreed.

Chris had been on a mission trip to Cuba ministering to prostitutes, thieves, drug addicts in the streets. That was his first experience being involved heavily in street missions. The experience changed him in many ways and he wanted to continue.

Also, he wanted to take his tennis to a new level. Susie told me they didn't want Chris to go back to Evert's.

Everything led to me feeling really positive about working with Chris.

Well, Chris is here now and is thriving! His personality is wonderful; calm, low key, funny, relaxed. He loves his improvement.

Let me tell you something, I am a passionate tennis coach who loves to see my students break through barriers and plateaus.

My students never stand in lines! They never get bored. They hit and hit and they improve. I have developed very intensive workouts that work. I make my player's think and become independent.

I teach them to work hard. They learn to focus. And I instill in them the ability to have fun! Tennis is fun! It is the greatest sport in the world.

Be focused, play well, have fun.

Speaking of the greatest sport in the world, let's talk about our tennis facility project.

Yesterday, I spent 1/2 the day meeting with the two gentlemen who are interested in donating land to the International Christian Tennis Association for our use in building a tennis facility.

The meeting was such a blessing. Both of these men are so special.

Our talks went well and we are still moving forward together towards a land acquisition for ICTA.

Originally, I wanted about an acre. Enough to allow me to build a modest approx. 7 court facility and have a nice proshop. Well, they decided that 1.25 acres wouldn't be enough! So, they upped the offer to 3 acres!

Both men said if we're going to do this then let's do it right!

Their thoughts are to allow us to really build something special that would stand out in the community.

By building in phases on 3 acres, the International Christian Tennis Association could build a tennis facility with 16 tennis courts, along with a shed to hold equipment and a nice 2-story pro shop with open-air seating on the top floor for guests to watch the tennis and golf... and even a small school building for our academy students which could double as a church on Sundays.

Much work needs to be done for this to continue forward.

I'm appreciative at this opportunity. Of course, I understand it may not happen at all when everything is said and done.

God has his plans and they could be much different than mine. I have become accustomed to God leading me in many different directions. (I sometimes feel like a puppy on a leash learning to heel.)

Sometimes, God changes my plans so quickly I can seem kind of goofy! Those are the times I have learned to laugh at myself! I have certainly learned to be flexible as God teaches me to be obedient.

My nature is to do what I want to do, so God has really had to work me over and over to get me to this point!

Let's talk mission trips for a minute...

Melody Snelen is back from her mission trip to Hammond, Louisiana where she reached the WTA players for Christ during an ITF $50,000 tournament.

Her mission work went well, and she had a great time competing in the event. Plus, Mel enjoyed a fantastic time with her host family! Carol, Jack, Dobbin, Braden, Garen, Kallen... thank you so much for caring for our special missionary!

Mel won her first match. She played a gal with a ranking of WTA 832 and beat her 6-3, 6-0. Mel is recovering from a nearly 4 month injury, so it was nice for her to have a complete match with no pain!

Plus, she beat a strong, ranked opponent!

In her second match, Mel lost 6-0, 6-0!

The good news was she had game points in over half of the games, and all but one game went to deuce. The difference maker was her opponent has much more experience and didn't get nervous on big points!

Melody's opponent went on to qualify into the main draw, then she lost a close match with the #1 seed, who is ranked 130WTA! This has helped give Mel loads more confidence!

Rachel Snelen is currently flying back from her mission trip to Toronto, Canada! She, also, did well. Discipling a new Christian and spending time with a seeker, God really used rach in special ways.

Tennis-wise, Rachel played great while winning a match against a Canadian junior national champion 6-1,6-2.

Then, she lost 6-2,6-0 to a much better player.

In her loss, Rachel also had many game points. Rachel's opponent went on to split sets with the 2nd seed, who is ranked 252WTA.

I am excited to see her develop at this new WTA level. It is realistic to see Rachel and Melody gain a top 500 WTA level by next summer.

Before I log off, I'd like to share with you what an AMAZING job Student Life at the Beach did last week!

You people are incredible! What a fantastic event. Over 7000 teens invaded Daytona Beach, Florida for this powerful Christian event.

My buddy led worship, so Mel and I took off Thursday nite to watch him and listen to his music. The worship and the speaking were unbelievable. The whole event had an impact on me.

I felt myself change and improve inside.

The next day is when Melody and I drove to Daytona Beach to pick up Chris. He had attended the whole week of SL@B with 300+ members of his youth group.

We picked up Chris, then picked up my ministry buddy who had led the worship for the week.

After that, we all headed to the beautiful Florida Tennis Center to play some clay court tennis! I was given a tennis court to play on even though there was a large tournament in progress. Thanks FTC!

After our great clay court workout, we all took my Jeep Wrangler to Chic-Fil-A for lunch. What a great day with good friends in sunny Florida.

Enjoy your week this week.

Your International Christian Tennis Association is busily preparing for our large scale mission trip to Cincinnati, Ohio for the largest men's ATP pro tournament in the world, The Western & Southern Financial Group Masters.

As well as preparing our women's ICTA Pro Tennis Team to journey to Vancouver, Canada for a women's ITF $25,000 tournament.

Mission work is the best! I love telling people about Jesus!

Is there anything better!? No way!

God bless!

Scott Paschal
www.christiantennis.net

Planting New Ministries

Hello!

This is Scott Paschal...

What a fantastic day here at the home of the International Christian Tennis Association in sunny and warm Florida.

The ocean breeze kept everything smelling fresh! My hometown of Palm Coast, Florida reminds me a lot of the way Hawaii and Jamaica feel, though both of those amazing tropical islands are a good bit higher up on the WOW meter.

The International Christian Tennis Association's academy students enjoyed a great workout today.

The main focus of the morning practice was to improve everyone's ability to change the direction of the ball.

Great time by all!

I wore my new shorts to the courts. How do you like them? Pretty loud, huh? I like 'em. Most everybody else gave me the thumbs down, but I think they'll get used to the look!

So, let's get to the good stuff for this journal entry...

I really enjoyed meeting so many new people via the phone this week. Thank you all for your friendship & support!

I have dedicated nearly a decade of my life to sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Mission trips, street evangelism, preaching, motivational speaking, coaching.... Along the way I have been blessed to meet many hundreds of fine, Christian men and women (and kids!) who have worked with me side by side as brothers and sisters in Christ.

This week, God has led me to help seed several new ministries for people here in the USA. It is such an honor when someone contacts me for ministry!

I'm a really smalltime ministry guy in a really smalltime ministry, so when God brings others to contact me to help them start growing an idea God has in their heart I feel so great and humbled.

I'm assisting a Christian brother to plant a sports ministry in Alabama, another Christian brother to plant a radical outreach ministry for the 2006 US Open, a Christian sister to plant an ICTA Homeschool Team in her area and connect it with the ICTA National Homeschool Team, and seeding the evangelistic ministry of a tremendously experienced Christian brother in the Bronx of New York.

And then today, I spoke with a lady whose husband is a longtime tennis pro in Virginia. They are interested in stepping out into ministry. I look forward to developing a relationship with them.

Often, several times each week, I meet someone new who is interested in developing ministry in their area. I listen to them and what they feel called to do.

Then, I take some time and pray about it to see if I feel called to assist in their ministry. Sometimes, the answer is no. We are a really small ministry and our resources, combined with my limited experience, allows me to do only so much!

But, often the answer is yes! They need help doing something I have done before or know how to do well enough to get them moving foreward.

Then, I come alongside them as needed and help plant a ministry. I receive no pay for this... but, I am building up LOADS of treasure in Heaven! Plus, I receive an incredible sense of satisfaction that helps me sleep well at night.

Tomorrow, students begin arriving for a highly focused 2 week tennis & missionary training camp. This camp is going to be awesome! In missionary training we are going to look deeply into spiritual warfare.

Why?

I'll tell you why!

In Revelations, we are told that Satan (Devil) and 30% of the angels were kicked out of heaven and cast down to your back yard! What do you think they are doing here!?

The English word "devil" is actually derived from the Greek word diobolos. Diabolos means "slanderer." In all but three occurrences of the New Testament, it is a title of Satan himself.

Satan is given this title because his primary activity is to slander- that is, to defame a person's character!

The first thing Satan attacks is the character of God Himself... such as in the Garden of Eden when he suggested to Adam and Eve that God was not treating them fairly by withholding from them the knowledge of good and evil.

Next up, Satan rips into the character of all those who in any way represent God! This is his main weapon against the servants of God! And we have to be prepared for the match!

As a Christian, have you ever been slandered?

Has someone taken your faults and mistakes and tried to punish you for them?

Or does someone just hate what you stand for?

As a follower of Jesus Christ, you must be prepared for the spiritual battle that will come. It is promised in the Bible!

Are you prepared? You can be!

As I said, this is going to be an incredible 2 week camp of heavy tennis training and powerful missionary training!

And this has been such a blessed, amazing week for me both personally and professionally while growing God's ministry in partnership with those He sends!

It is a great feeling to have a sense of purpose with my life.

Giving 'em Heaven!

Scott Paschal
386 793 0557

WTA Player: A New Christian

Hello!


I have been in fulltime Christian ministry since 1999. My love is to share my love of Jesus through speaking, writing, coaching, and directing the daily aspects of the ICTA.

Feel free to use this article as a Christian tract to give to people at tennis tournaments.

International Christian Tennis Association women's pro team rocks!

Rachel Snelen forehand

Go ICTA Women's Pro Tennis Team!

Mission Trip: Baltimore, Maryland

(Pics are of ICTA Pro Team, and friends on the pro tour.)

To say this has been a fabulous week would be an understatement. God is so good. Can I share with you my favorite part of what has happened in my life recently?

A few days ago, Rachel Snelen called me from the mission field to tell me about how she and Mel led a really special girl to Salvation through acceptance of Jesus as her Lord and Savior! I was so grateful to receive that phone call.

God has blessed their Baltimore mission trip in many, many ways. In a world full of selfish people, I am awed at the unselfishness of our International Christian Tennis Association twins, Rachel and Melody Snelen!

This phone call from rach was one of the greatest I'd received all year.

Rach Snelen and her twin sister, Melody Snelen, are Christian tennis missionaries. The ITF & WTA pro tours are their main mission fields. Rachel is a newly ranked WTA Tour player, and Mel has a WTA point with a strong possibility to earn her WTA ranking this year.

Neither girl is interested in trying to earn a living as a professional tennis player. They know players ranked below 50 WTA barely earn a profit after expenses!

The goal for Rach and Mel Snelen was simply to learn to achieve a seemingly impossible dream... become skilled enough to earn a rare WTA Tour ranking. Rach has done this, and Mel will soon.

Now because of their long term dedication to excellence, the WTA Tour is a mission field for them in ways previously unaccessable! And God is blessing their efforts.

To help further their personal ministry, I am busily at work studying ways to send Rachel and Melody worldwide while they lead the International Christian Tennis Association Women's Pro Tennis Team's mission trips.

Properly organized and financed, it is realistic for ICTA to send these two incredible tennis missionaries to 30 tournaments over a 12 month period. Currently, well over 1/2 of these expenses are covered. I'm sure God will bring about the rest of the needed expenses.

Many years ago, I had a dream in my heart to send Christian missionaries into the tennis world, particularly to tennis tournaments, in order to share the Gospel. Tennis is such a Godless sport. Selfishness & hatefulness abound unchecked.

To know a young, teenage WTA ranked player has just accepted Christ Jesus as her Lord and Savior after hearing the Good News through the efforts of International Christian Tennis Association missionaries is something that dramatically impacted me this week.

This young lady, this new Christian!, has the potential to reach many people in her own sphere of influence... parents, coach, peers. As her WTA ranking reaches the top, God may use her in new ways to reach a vast audience.

Along the way, I look forward to watching God work in her life to show her a sense of real purpose, and to reach others for Him.

ICTA's Womens Pro Tennis Team will travel to Hamilton, Canada soon for a mission trip to an ITF $25,000 tournament.

The missions team for this mission trip will be Rach and Mel. Please keep these girls in your prayers that they will reach others for Him.

God bless,

Scott Paschal
www.christiantennis.net

ICTA Pro Tennis Team

July is kicking off with a bang as the International Christian Tennis Association has sent a team of missionaries to Baltimore, Maryland!

This is Scott Paschal...

The ICTA Women's Pro Tennis Team, led by Rach (pictured left), is journeying to an International Tennis Federation, ITF, women's $75,000 tournament.

The ITF provides professional tennis tournaments for tennis players to compete in so they can earn WTA (for women) or ATP (for men) points, as well as a small income to help cover expenses. These points are used to build a players professional WTA or ATP ranking.

ICTA offers a Christian ministry at ITF events such as this one.

Tennis facilities worldwide have amazing people who host ITF events. This is great! The more opportunity players have to develop their skills, the higher their level of play can become. Plus, it is terrific for the reputation of a tennis facility as well as the city where it resides!

The ICTA Women's Pro Tennis Team is competing in the tournament today, as I write. Yet, more importantly, they are meeting new friends and establishing new friendships.

As an example of this, yesterday, Rach hit with a WTA ranked teen entered in the tournament she met soon after arriving at The Tennis Center at College Park, where the tournament is being held.

They established a friendship!

This is great! From this new friendship, two ICTA Pro Tennis Team members received host housing.

How?

Well, Rachel's new friend was rooming with another WTA ranked teen in a host home. They had room for two more! How great is that!? Strong bonds of friendship are forming!

This is really exciting. Rach has already met two new world class WTA ranked players who have become her friends... and new little sisters!

She has received host housing for her time at the FNMC National City Classic ITF $75,000. Plus, she has received a WTA point by being accepted into the qualying draw, which nearly doubled her point total and will raise her WTA ranking by nearly 100 spots. Plus, Rach has earned $160 (minus taxes and entry) to help cover her expenses for this mission trip and for some of her next one!

Each day will bring new friendships and new opportunity for the ICTA Pro Tennis Team. An ITF 75K is the highest level ITF tournament before WTA Tier 3 events.

The competitors in this event are phenomenal! Camile Pin in the main draw is ranked 98 WTA!

And Story Tweedy Yates in the qualifier is ranked 352 WTA! The ICTA Women's Pro Tennis Team will make many frienships with the other players.

Through these contacts and friendships, players from around the world will come to know Christ deeper, or maybe for the first time.

From this, also, the ICTA Tennis Academy will gain new students who will come and train for tennis, for Christian missions, and for further discipleship in Christ.

Players who have been abused will be offered shelter and safety. Young players and their families will receive guidance and support for further success on the pro tour.

Rach first started playing tennis at 12 years of age with her mom, dad, twin sis, and brother at a local park. At 14 years, Rach and her twin, Mel, started hitting on their own wherever they could find a court.

The tennis courts became their home away from home! She had her first tennis lesson at 16, then began training fulltime at the ICTA Tennis Academy shortly after. A

s a beginning level player at 16 year of age, the possibility of her gaining a WTA ranking and playing professional was, well, impossible.

Yet, she did it!

Rach did the impossible!

And her twin sister, Mel, is following right behind her... as always.

Both Rach and Mel are becoming known in the Christian world, as well as the tennis world, as dedicated women who love the Lord with all their hearts. God is blessing them.

What started out as an seemingly impossible dream for a couple of 16 year old twins beginning to take tennis seriously ... to earn a WTA ranking and play pro tennis... has turned into a Christian ministry for both Rach and Mel.

The struggles along this 6+ year journey have been difficult, yet they have overcome every obstacle with class as they have achieved their goal! Both are stronger mentally, emotionally, and spiritually than ever...

Now, God is taking them further than they could have ever dreamed possible... again.

God is using their dream for His ministry.... I'm so proud of them.

Serve hard, gals!

Coach Scotty

Basic Stuff &The Gobfather

Yesterday, after an intense morning workout with my terrific Christian tennis academy students, Mel and I headed off to run some errands around beautiful Palm Coast, Florida.

Basic stuff like getting the oil changed on the academy van, paying bills, taking the lawnmower in to find out why it quit working, going to the post office... like I said, basic stuff.

I tried to get a haircut, but Courtney was taking the day off.

Not very exciting news, huh? I guess it depends on how you look at it.

You see, doing basic stuff is what separates successful people from unsuccessful ones. Basic stuff can be boring, it can seem unimportant.

But, it's not. Basic stuff is big.

Do it well and you have a better opportunity to be successful. To some people being successful can be exciting.

Bills have to be paid. The academy van must remain in great operating condition. Grass doesn't mow itself and windscreens need to be on the back fences. The refridgerator needs to be full of healthy food.

There is a lot of basic stuff that must get done in a timely way in order to run an academy well.

Students need help with visas. The website needs maintaining. Phone calls should be returned within an hour. Tennis balls need replacing & rackets restrung.

I haven't even mentioned the visioneering, planning, structuring, ordering of supplies, scheduling of accommodation, scheduling of missionaries, and implementation of large scale mission trips to pro tennis events.

Or the day to day operations of a ministry...

You get the point.

You know what real excitement is? Doing lots of basic stuff in order to have more success in your main objective.

Tennis is the same way. Basics. Focus on doing the basics well.

From making sure your shoe laces are not worn out, to using great stroke mechanics, to focusing on smart strategies of play.

Basics help us be more successful.

Make sure your racket strings are fresh before a tournament, send in your entry fee early, have a solid warm up, stay hydrated, keep positive while you play. Basic stuff.

When a person gets focused on doing the basic stuff in tennis well, they give themselves a chance to be more successful. The cumulative effects of solid basics can be pretty exciting.

I think my relationship with Jesus is the same way. Basic stuff. I read the Bible and I strive to do what it says. I pray. Basic stuff.

Each day I read something that will add value to my knowledge of Jesus. I read the Bible. I read books by Bruce Wilkinson, Randy Alcorn, David Nasser, David Wilkerson, Chuck Swindoll, and a bunch of other Christian folks.

I pray daily, usually several times. I watch awesome Christian videos. I spend time with other Christians. Lots of basic stuff.

I've learned to focus on the basics of Jesus. To me this creates excitement.

So, what does all of this have to do with The Gobfather... And just exactly what is the Gobfather, you ask? Ok, fair questions.

Mel and I ate some Chinese food at China King then walked over to Albertson's grocery store to get some ice cream for dessert. I happen to really like Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream and it just so happened to be on sale! Buy one get one free!

While Mel and I sat in Starbuck's Coffee and ate our ice cream, I thought about a few emails I had received recently, and a few "God appointments" I had.

Mainly from guys having difficult times in their lives. These guys had been on my heart in a big way. I was enjoying my ice cream, but I just kept thinking about these guys and I wanted to help them.

While I sat there, I really noticed my ice cream. I mean, more than the normal "eat it as quick as I can because it tastes so good."

My favorite is Ben & Jerry's The Gobfather. This delicious desser has rich chocolate ice cream, chewy nougat, and almonds covered in dark chocolate.

As I enjoyed my B&J's, I also noticed how nice the packaging itself looked. I read the fun advertising and really liked the colors & fonts they chose. Everything in the ice cream is organic, as well.

They use the best of the best to give guys like me something special. The chocolate flavor was perfect.

Rich & smooth.

The nougat was sweet and chewy. The dark chocolate covered almonds were fresh and crunchy. Perfect mix of basic ingredients.

I thought about what makes Ben & Jerry's so popular. It's because two ordinary guys decided to do the basics really, really well.

As they decided to enter a competitive dessert market, focusing on the basics helped bring them success. Was working 90 hrs a week exciting for them?

Probably not. Did their lives seem exciting to others? Probably.

What does The Gobfather have to do with this article, though? Well, I get pretty excited at the chance to eat it every now and then.

The fact that these two neat guys dedicated themselves to doing the all the basic stuff required to make a great product for tennis pros like me to enjoy is exciting.

Their basics equals my excitement, plus their excitement.

Sounds like a lot of what people tell me about the International Christian Tennis Association.

Our tennis academy is wonderful.

Our mission trips reach tens of thousands for Jesus.

Our little sports ministry has a worldwide membership. It is a lot of fun! Our lives here at ICTA are so very exciting!

I wouldn't want to be anywhere else doing anything else!

But, let's be clear. 99% of what I do every day is basic stuff. Same with Mel. Same with Rach. Since 1999, we started with the basics and we created more basic stuff to do over the years. It hasn't always been easy, but by focusing on the basics we keep moving forward!

What's going on in your life today?

Are you accomplishing your goals?

Can I give you something to think about? Focus on the basics.

Get 'em done.

Write them down if you need to. Then get them done.

Focus on what you need to do. Then do it well.

This applies to every aspect of your life. Understand? Good.

Now start with Jesus.

Blessings,

Scott Paschal

ICTA Tennis Academy Alumni in Wimbledon...

Congratulations go out to 2006 ICTA Tennis Academy alumni, Julia Vakulenko, for qualifying for the main draw in Wimbledon. In addition to this wonderful achievement, Julia is also enjoying the best year of her entire professional tennis career.

Julia's story is one of inspiration and hope that God does not forget us!

From the depths of suicidal depression to the highs of having the best year of her tennis career, much has happend over the last 6 months in the life of this 22 year old rising tennis star!

I can remember just 5 months ago when Julia arrived from Barcelona to train with me in Florida. She had quit tennis due to years of abuse from men in her life, abandoned her faith in God, and had became suicidally depressed to the point of being bedridden. Julia felt she had no hope and lost her will to live. Each day was a struggle to not end her life.

Though Julia's life was in turmoil, God had a plan to provide for her. Fortunately, I had met her about 4 years ago, and we had established a solid friendship. But, Julia and I didn't stay in close contact. She had her tennis career and I was called to grow the ICTA.

As such, I had no idea of the abuse that had been heaped on Julia in her life and what the result of the abuse had done to her. If I had known what was going on in her life, we would have intervened sooner.

But, God had his plan for Julia. From the depths of her brush with suicide, God planted her in the soil of the International Christian Tennis Association where she began healing and found hope that God does love her and did not forget about her.

While she was here with me fulltime, I worked hard on Julia. God trusted me and I wasn't about to let him down. I take my job as a long term, fulltime high performance tennis coach very seriously. I work hard and I am focused.

Tennis-wise, I immediately changed Julia's tennis racket and strings. Less power, more control and feel. Worked great! Her old rackets wouldn't let her swing freely through the ball, so she had little spin and made way too many unforced errors. She also had an odd hitch in her forehand that her previous coach couldn't fix. I knew what to do... change the racket & strings. Her forehand started to sing!

Next, Julia needed quicker footwork. Everyone knew she was slow and didn't have stamina. She hated running, but with my daily inspiration/perspiration she soon came to love footwork drills such as soccer and skipping. Every day we worked on her movement! In fact, before practice started Julia would ride a mountain bike for 1.5 miles (3.5 kilo). Then, she would dribble a soccer ball for 1/4 mile. And finally she would dribble/pass the soccer ball a couple hundred times with a partner while moving backwards and sideways in circles!

Next up, she learned to hit angles to open up the court. Her game was wired to hit hard and flat down the line. No variety, just power. No wonder she needed 33 tournaments to reach 68 WTA! That is way too many tournaments! To help her win more I decided that during Julia's entire stay at my tennis academy, I would work every day on her ability to change the direction of the ball. I focused on her hitting lots of 2 on 1 drills teaching her patience while she became comfortable changing the direction of the ball from anywhere on the court. I could see her confidence grow. The results on the pro tour have been very solid.

To cut down on her many double faults, I taught Julia a topspin serve. She said the best coaches had tried to teach it to her, but she could never understand! I taught her in 30 minutes how to hit a topspin serve correctly. She understood everything and was really excited. She said I make complicated things sound easy.

While I am glad I taught Julia so much she had been missing, I feel the most important aspect oftennis coaching I provided this young gal is I helped her to loosen up and relax on court. She needed to have fun with tennis. Her previous coach understood strategies and tactics, but he has little idea how to develop a player. And for this Julia's career suffered terribly. She should have learned all of this when he met her 4 years ago! As she was improperly coached and developed, Julia had a hard time on the tour. Yes, she reached WTA #68. But, she was forced to go to 33 tournaments to get the points and hardly anyone can mentally or physically handle that. The coach became well know... and Julia suffered. Not anymore!!

Faster feet, stronger legs & stamina, more racket control and feel, ability to change the direction of the ball with confidence, tighter angles to pull opponents off the court, and a quality topspin serve to help cut down on double faults! Not bad, huh? The results of the "new" Julia tennis game have been fantastic. She is top 100 WTA in just 1/3 the tournaments it took her in the past to reach this level!

Off court, I gave Julia the book: Have You Felt Like Giving Up Lately by David Wilkerson. In fact, I asked her to read it the first day she arrived! Great book. Began changing her life immediately! I also had her read The Prayer of Jabez and the Secrets of the Grapevine by Bruce Wilkerson. Again, amazing impact on her life. Plus, Julia attended my church. First Baptist of Palm Coast has one of the finest preachers in the state. I am not Baptist, I am simply Christian. I attend this church when I am in town because an integrity filled man of God is not afraid to preach a strong message every Sunday. Julia LOVED my pastor's messages and said she had never heard anyone with such powerful thoughts. This church was good for Julia.

I also took her, along with my entire Christian tennis academy, to an amazing Christian concert event called Winter Jam. This event was huge... over 5000 youth packed into an enormous auditorium. The Christian bands were awesome... Toby Mac of DC Talk, Newsboys, Newsong, Zoegirl, Hawk Nelson, and Krystal Meyers. The keynote speaker of this fantastic event was David Nasser. Julia had never seen an event like this before and really appreciated every minute.

In addition, I took Julia with us to one of the most amazing Christian concerts I have ever seen... Chris Tomlin's Indescribable Tour. That event had a huge impact on Julia. I could see her stuggle spiritually during this event as she took a couple of naps and wanted to leave 1/2 through. But, the group wanted to stay for sure so Julia was able to gain the maximum benefits. Afterwards, she was really glad she stayed.

Back at the academy, we had daily Bible study or Discipleship Training. Julia contributed regularly. Julia would tell me almost everyday how happy she was! In Disciplship training, my students learn how to preach. During every class they learn public speaking & message formation skills. Julia is very unskilled at public speaking, so this was very good for her as well.

I saw Julia begin to heal. Yet, I also saw sides of Julia that are still in great pain and need professional help. So many people have used and abused Julia that she has an inability to trust men. At times, she would treat me poorly. But, I didn't hold it against her. Her actions were the result of the life she has had to lead and the abuse she had suffered at the hands of others. I would mainly be punished for what others did to her. Though I should also mention Julia would appologise whenever she realized she had treated me poorly. The important thing is Julia is still alive and on this earth!

She has her opportunity to reflect Christ in all that she does. Julia Vakulenko has her new start. What she will do with it we will all wait and see. I told Julia that I wanted 2006 to be her year to have FUN! Have fun playing tennis, have fun being alive! Have fun and enjoy the new life God has given to her.

I have recently written a more in-depth, detailed look inside Julia's story of pain and abuse. A link will be provided at a future time. Hopefully, those who abused Julia will be exposed and much healing will happen for all.

For now, congratulations Julia! I pray you and Marek are honoring God in all that you do as you both strive to reflect Christ to the world.

Blessings,

Scott Paschal

Land for a Tennis Facility!

Good morning. Today is shaping up to be another great day.

In a few minutes I'll be out the door and on my way to the tennis courts. The weather here in NE Florida is perfect. Sunny and warm. I might head out to the beach, after I workout my Christian tennis academy students, to swim and write devotionals. Our beaches here in Palm Coast are the finest in Florida.

I may have found the land for our tennis facility. Saturday, I visited a couple of great guys and looked at some beautiful land. Everything went really well. The location is superb. Couldn't ask for better!

My goal for the tennis club I want to build is to have 6 to 8 clay courts and a nice 2-story proshop with the top floor simply being an open air, covered seating area for club members and guests.

The two pieces of land I viewed are on a world class golf course. One is nestled in the forrest off of one of the holes, and the other is directly next to the main clubhouse. Both locations are world class and will allow me to build a nice tennis club.

I am pretty excited about the opportunity, but I've learned not to get too excited about these things. At any moment talks could fall through and things can change. But, for now, I'm optimistic and can see God's hand all over this. What I'm not sure about is if this is THE piece of land He wants us to build on, or if this is just still part of the journey of obedience he has sent me on while He has developed my faith.

Either way, I'm happy. I'm happy following Him as He guides me for His purposes!

As things progress, either way, on our new land opportunity, I will keep you posted.

Give 'em heaven!

scott paschal
www.christiantennis.net
386 793 0557

Bad News...

Bad news! This is my second day in a row to not hit any tennis balls.

For me, this is a big deal. I love to hit tennis balls. God blessed me with an athletic body and a love for tennis. Tennis is an amazing sport and I love improving my skills while getting in shape in the Florida sun. But, for two days in a row now I haven't hit. I want to. Why haven't I hit? Tropical storm Alberto cruised through giving Florida some much needed rain.

The last few years I haven't been able to train for tennis as much as I would have liked. Why? Well, I had a few injuries that came outta nowhere, and I was busy growing the International Christian Tennis Association from a dream in my head to a reality reaching the tennis world. But, now I can hit! And I love hitting tennis balls!

My personal tennis workouts are tough. Most of my students have a difficult time keeping up with my training routine. Recently, a young stud junior lasted only about 3 days training with me before he needed a couple days off. I was just getting warmed up!

I'm in my late 30's and fortunately I still have the ability to get strong quickly. I don't think I've lost much of my quickness from my days in college football workouts, but I'm not in as good of shape. One of my goals for this year is to get into the best physical shape of my life. I think it's possible because in my late teens and early 20's, while I was very athletic and in great shape, I wasn't in the best shape my body could possibly be in. So, I think my best possible shape at nearly 40 can be better than the great physical shape I was in during high school and college.

A few days ago I began my workout by walking a mile, then riding my mountain bike for a mile. After a stomach workout and stretches, I drove my Jeep to the tennis facility and hit 1700 balls on the outdoor racketball court. Then, for two hours I worked on the backhand of an up and coming WTA player. She and I blasted the ball at each other! High balls, low balls , heavy topspin, flat, sidespin, dropshots... you name it... we hit it! I love hitting with my students whether they come to train with me for an hour or for an entire year! Her already incredible backhand improved and I had another great time teaching tennis in sunny Florida.

The weather is supposed to be back to normal tomorrow. I hope so. I'm ready to hit and to spend some time playing the greatest sport in the world!

God bless and happy hitting!

Scott Paschal

Hello From the Christian Tennis Office

Hello from the office!

This is a snapshot of our office area for the International Christian Tennis Association.

I'm on the right throwing a lefty wave. Rach is waving from her desk. Mel's desk is there on the left.

I have worked for ICTA for 8+ years now. During this time, our membership has grown from 5 of us in Arlington, Texas, USA to 1000's in over 1500 cities in 47 countries worldwide. As we busily grow our membership base, we then look to develop interesting things for our members to do and be part of. I have a fantastic time inventing and growing ICTA programs.

It's great to watch God bless ICTA. I work about 80 hrs a week developing our sports ministry. Rachel and Melody Snelen( Rach and Mel) add an easy 70 additional hours a week. That's 600 hours a month devoted to reaching people with the Gospel through the sport of tennis. We also have tremendous friends in other parts of the country who volunteer their time as well.

Right now, I have three interesting projects I am focused on. The first one is I am developing a tennis tour company designed to offer first class tennis tours to Grand Slam tournaments for ICTA members. Next, Breck and I are working to launch ICTA's Faith & Tennis Magazine in 2006. And finally, I am looking for a piece of land on which to build ICTA's tennis facility in partnership with others.

As the French Open draws to a close and we begin to look forward to Wimbledon, I'd like to ask you to keep our mission trip to Ghana in your prayers. We have began a partnership with a racket manufacturer and a health food supplement company for this trip. Through a parent of a former student, I also have strong connection with Ghana's government, as well as a place to stay for our trip. If you would like to partner with ICTA to help us bring tennis training, tennis equipment, Bibles, and nutritional supplements to the poor and needy in Ghana, simply call me at your convenience.

We do not have a firm date set, yet, as we are waiting for all financial situations to be covered for this trip.

God bless each of you!

Scott Paschal
386 793 0557

You Can!

You can.

Really, you can.

I don't care what they say. You can.

You know what gets me fired up and motivated? People who tell me I'm not qualified. Or capable! I love it when someone tries to put me in my place. You know the place I'm talking about. Down with them. Way down low where people have forgotten.

People forget that you can do all things through Christ who gives you the strength.

A favorite story of mine from the Bible is when Goliath showed his enemies their true colors... faithless. In the middle of Goliath forcing these men of God to focus on their fears, David stood up to take the power of God.

There is a wonderful moment when the giant gets irked at the sight of his younger opponent. "Am I a dog that you come at me with sticks?" he roars (1 Samuel 17:43). Goliath is truly insulted. " Come here... and I'll give your flesh to the birds of the air and the beasts of the field!" (v.44)

David doesn't flinch. He doesn't reconsider his options. There is no hiding behind a rock or tree to rethink his plan!

Absolutely not.

" As the Philistine moved closer to attack him, David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet him." (v.48)

Do you see it!? That's what God wants from us today! Run quickly towards the challenge. Get in the middle of it with your unqualifed in the world's eyes self.

Go! You can. I don't care what they say.

David's weaponry was rediculous; a slingshot and five stones. Yet, it didn't matter because David was not the one fighting the fight. This was God's battle and who can defeat the creator of the universe?

To this day God still uses foolish tools in the hands of weak people to build His kingdom! I know this because I am living proof.

Backed by prayer and His power, we can accomplish the unthinkable.

You can... and don't let 'em tell you differently.

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Prayer Request:

*I know it's French Open time and the tennis word is busily focused on Roger and Rafa. But, I'd like to ask if you could take the stars out of your eyes for a moment and pray for the familes of Hussain Ahmed Rashid and his junior students, Nasir Al-Hatam and Wissam Adel- Auda.

All three were murdered by Islamic extremists in Iraq because they wore tennis shorts during practice. Rashid, 34, was one of Iraq's best Davis Cup players and recently played in the 2006 Asia/Oceana Group IV.

These men and their murderers were not Christian. If a few of you reading this would like to offer assistance for an ICTA Mission Outreach to Iraq, let me know. We can gather racquets, balls, books, videos, shoes, posters, etc and ship them to the national tennis center. Or deliver the shipments in person while sharing the Gospel to tennis players we meet.


*One of my special friends is a sports agent. She has been with IMG over 20 years. She has seen everything in the pro tennis world... the good, the bad, and the ugly. She is a source I go to for advice and support when dealing with pro tennis players.

She is heading out of the country for 3 months. Please keep her in your prayers as she is pretty special around here.

*The pro tour is without a qualified chaplain to care for the players. A group of chaplains needs to be formed over the next year in order to provide professional counseling at tennis events worldwide.

Please keep the spiritual safety and care of the men and women pro players in your prayers as God guides qualifed, healthy chaplains to International Christian Tennis Association and helps us form a plan to implement their services in a God honoring way.

God bless!

Scotty

Baghdad Tennis

Hello there!

This is Scott Paschal, Ministry Director for the International Christian Tennis Association!

What do you think about this time of year?

For many, the French Open in Paris is the talk of the town. Famous tennis players battle it out on the crushed brick in front of hundreds of thousands of adoring fans... media worldwide follow every move of the top players...

Yet, that's not what caught my eye in the tennis world while searching the internet this morning.

Even though 2006 ICTA Christian Tennis Academy alumni, Julia Vakulenko, easily crushed Meng Juan, her main draw French Open first round opponent, 6-1, 6-2; that's not what commanded my attention as I began thinking about how God could use me this morning within the sport of tennis.

I'd like to share with you something most tennis enthusiasts worldwide have not been able to hear...

I read a news article on Yahoo about two tennis players and their coach. These three men had just finished a workout in Baghdad, Iraq. As they left the Iraq national tennis center to drive home, a group of men followed them in a car. The group of men forced the tennis coach's car to stop. They ordered the older tennis coach and his two young, top national players out of the car and onto the road.

Then the leader of the group of men shot the tennis coach and his two promising tennis players in their heads. They died instantly.

As the world read of Roger Federer complaining that he had to play his first round French Open match on Sunday, instead of Monday, because he felt he would possibly lose his "rhythm" for his Wednesday 2nd round match... a seasoned tennis coach and two bright hopefuls were slaughtered in Iraq.

The question is why were these men murdered? Why were these two athletes and their coach forced down onto their knees and executed.

Well, the Islamic extremists said it was because the tennis players wore shorts during practice.

You see, Islamic extremists murdered this small band of tennis brothers because they feel they have a right to speak for God and carry out what they feel would be His justice.

My heart broke for these three men who died. Then my heart continued breaking for the men who killed them.

At times I have spoken with select people who disagree with my bringing Christianity into the sport of tennis. Usually, these people have a narrow view of the world or some particular agenda they are following.

Some claim religion should be left out of sports. I say it is impossible to keep my faith in Jesus silent. I say I have every right given to me by God to speak of my faith at every opportunity given and created.

These people slander me personally, seek out my family and friends in order to harass them, then claim they are the ones who should be listened to.

Yet, each of these people is harmless. They are merely expressing their freedom of speech. Each of them is living an easy life in an easy culture.

As inaccurate in their facts and agenda laden as these bullies can become, these people are about as harmful as a goldfish.

Compared to what my brothers are forced to go through in other parts of the world, my life is simple and easy.

I enjoyed a great workout today hitting with a WTA ranked player for 3 hours. The sun was shining in beautiful Florida, our tennis courts have just been resurfaced, lots of locals talked with us after our workout ended.

When I drove away from the tennis courts my mind flashed to the scene in Bahgdad. What it must have be like over there for my three tennis brothers. I talked with my student as she happily discussed her plans for the rest of her day. I safely drove home without incident....

There is a big world out there. It's easy to be locked into our safe routines, easy to force ourselves to justify our lack of appreciation with our liberty and freedom.

The Bible says, "If any of you lack widom, let him ask God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given to him." James 1:5

If in your day, you find yourself able to freely worship in your religion, freely travel where you wish to go, freely play tennis in the clothing of your choice, freely drive home in relative safety, and freely watch the greatest tennis players today compete in Paris, France in Rolland Garros; just know that others worldwide do not have the priviledges we so often find ourselves taking for granted. Ask God for the wisdom to see your foolishness.

Tomorrow, I look forward to following the matches in Paris.

In particular, I look forward to Julia's match against Sofia Arvidsson, who is ranked WTA 31. Yes, I would like Julia to win another round.

But that is not why I look forward to her match.

My excitement comes because God used both me and my little sports ministry to bring Julia back from the brink of death, both spiritual and physical.

The thought of her first workout with me 18 weeks ago makes me smile. Though Julia was very sickly and frail then, I knew she had everything needed to reach the top. I also knew that God chose me to reach her and to begin to undue the abuse heaped onto her by others.

Unlike my brothers in Bahgdad, Julia's life was snatched from Satan's claws. Now, she has the priviledge to follow God's plan for her life.

One day, I pray our little sports ministry can grow large enough to help more players, and more people worldwide. One day I pray the International Christian Tennis Association reaches a level where we can truly impact the lives of others on a global scale.

God Bless!

Scott Paschal