2008 Woodie Awards
Italy or bust: students to run football clinics in the boot of Europe Italy or bust: students to run football clinics in the boot of Europe
By: Andrea brazell
Issue date: 1/31/07 Section: Sports
- Page 1 of 1
Andrea Brazell
Staff Writer
Thirteen North Greenville students will be traveling to Italy this summer to do ministry through football clinics, planned as of now.
"Football, Italy and sharing the gospel - what could be better?" said Phillip Hilderbrand, sophomore Christian studies.
Hilderbrand has made two previous trips to Italy, working with the pro football teams. One trip took place over Christmas break his junior year of high school while the other was this past summer, before he began attending NGU.
Hildebrand spent the majority of his summer in Brindisi, Italy. This extended stay helped Hildebrand see the potential football clinics had for breaking down cultural barriers, building relationships and sharing the gospel with a people whose usually nominal Catholic heritage has left them numb and disinterested toward the idea of faith.
Hildebrand plans to return this summer with other North Greenville recruits. The trip will take place from about late May to mid June; specific dates are still tentative. The clinics Hildebrand and the others will be involved in will take place in Brindisi, Rome and Florence. They will last two to three days with a closing banquet where the gospel message will be presented.
A few ex-NFL players are being looked at as possible banquet speakers. The group would then spend a few days following the clinic spending time with the Italian players and looking for opportunities to talk about their personal walk with Christ.
"The Italian players are extremely interested in whatever the American football players have to say, even if it's not about football," said Hildebrand. "They have a lot of heart but not much knowledge of the game," which is why the clinics are so appealing to them.
The trip will cost $1,200 plus airfare. The $1,200 will cover food, lodging, in-country transportation and football equipment. The trip will be organized by Proclaim International, a missions organization, and in partnership with the local Italian churches. Anyone interested in going should contact Phillip Hilderbrand at pshilderbrand@ngu.edu, by Feb. 16.
Staff Writer
Thirteen North Greenville students will be traveling to Italy this summer to do ministry through football clinics, planned as of now.
"Football, Italy and sharing the gospel - what could be better?" said Phillip Hilderbrand, sophomore Christian studies.
Hilderbrand has made two previous trips to Italy, working with the pro football teams. One trip took place over Christmas break his junior year of high school while the other was this past summer, before he began attending NGU.
Hildebrand spent the majority of his summer in Brindisi, Italy. This extended stay helped Hildebrand see the potential football clinics had for breaking down cultural barriers, building relationships and sharing the gospel with a people whose usually nominal Catholic heritage has left them numb and disinterested toward the idea of faith.
Hildebrand plans to return this summer with other North Greenville recruits. The trip will take place from about late May to mid June; specific dates are still tentative. The clinics Hildebrand and the others will be involved in will take place in Brindisi, Rome and Florence. They will last two to three days with a closing banquet where the gospel message will be presented.
A few ex-NFL players are being looked at as possible banquet speakers. The group would then spend a few days following the clinic spending time with the Italian players and looking for opportunities to talk about their personal walk with Christ.
"The Italian players are extremely interested in whatever the American football players have to say, even if it's not about football," said Hildebrand. "They have a lot of heart but not much knowledge of the game," which is why the clinics are so appealing to them.
The trip will cost $1,200 plus airfare. The $1,200 will cover food, lodging, in-country transportation and football equipment. The trip will be organized by Proclaim International, a missions organization, and in partnership with the local Italian churches. Anyone interested in going should contact Phillip Hilderbrand at pshilderbrand@ngu.edu, by Feb. 16.
Be the first to comment on this story