U.S. women's national team soccer player Tobin Heath knows that pressure and sports are usually mentioned in the same sentence, but she has a different perspective.

"I have never associated soccer with pressure," Heath says. "For me, soccer is a game that brings me great joy. I am extremely grateful that God has blessed me

with the ability to play this awesome game."

She tries to spend as much time with her family as her schedule

allows. She enjoys being with friends and has a love for the ocean.

But what brings her joy, she says, is worshiping the Lord.

Despite the busy schedule, though, one thing comes first for

Tobin."I try to incorporate God into

everything I do. The Lord has put amazing people into my life to keep me accountable and help me walk with God," she says.

"I don't find the balance hard because I have given

everything over to God to take care of."

Now that is a goal worth scoring.

ATHLETE TESTIMONY ATHLETE TESTIMONY

Heath keeps God at the forefront of everything she does in life, trusting the Lord will always take care of her.

Willis learned to find joy in the outcome of his races, no matter what the finish, because Christ showed him that He is the true reward.

U.S. women's soccer star Tobin Heath understands that her abilities are from God

Despite significant athletic success, Christ has shown New Zealand track and field star Nick Willis what true success really means

HEART VALUE OBEY THE BIBLE

HEART VALUE IN SPORT AND PLAY

TOBIN HEATH NIck WILLIS

A platform was offered to Nick Willis when he ran to a bronze-medal performance in the 1,500 meters at the Beijing Olympics to become the first New Zealander to medal in the event in 32 years.

Winning the medal was a surprise, because he only had the 13th-best time among competitors before the games. But it was his faith and confidence in his ability that helped him stay focused.

"My faith is a huge, huge part of it all." says Willis, who has consistently finished at or near the top in the 1,500 meters at the Com-monwealth Games. "It's the most important thing in my life. It helps orchestrate who I am as a man, as a husband and as an athlete."

In his native New Zealand, where the sport of running is highly valued, Willis grew up watching Olympic footage of world record milers Herb Elliott (Australia), Peter Snell (New Zealand), Jim Ryun (United States) and John Walker (New Zealand).

One thing that stuck with Wil-lis was the joy of the third-place finisher.

"It's very easy to be driven by worldly success, but Christ has really showed me the rewards to trust in Him," says Willis.

HEART VALUES

where spor t s and fa i th connect

SPORTS MINISTRY AROUND THE WORLDASIA

In Papua New Guinea, churches and agencies have used the major sports event 1.2.3 opportunity to prepare for next month's Pacific

Games, providing sports movement training in the

Provinces prior to the Games.

In Canada, churches and agencies in Toronto have used the major sports event 1.2.3 opportunity to prepare for the July and August Pan Am and Parapan Games, including hosting 30+ sports camps.

• PROcLAIm THE gOSPEL• BY PARTNERINg• IN SPORT AND PLAY• IN EVERY CITY AND EVERY COMMUNITY

• In Hong Kong, a sports partner hosted 4 days of leadership training for sport, followed by a sports internship. There was also training for leaders from several Asian countries on how to serve athletes.

• In Southeast Asia, an extended month-long

sports leadership training is being prepared for 4

countries.

• In East Asia, 24 leaders from 14 countries attended month-long leadership training for sport.