Reformed Theological Seminary (RTS) and Missionary Athletes International (MAI) are pleased to announce a new partnership that will help provide biblical and theological education for MAI full and part-time staff. Central to this partnership is a substantial tuition discount to MAI staff and specialized training offered by RTS faculty.
The Organizations
MAI is the parent ministry of the Charlotte Eagles, a professional soccer ministry located in Charlotte, NC which was founded in 1983. MAI also has Los Angeles club team called the Southern California Seahorses and a Chicago club team called the Chicago Eagles. MAI’s ministry expands internationally through multiple team trips each year.
Founded in 1966 in Jackson, Mississippi, RTS is now one of the largest seminaries in the world. RTS has campuses in Jackson, Orlando, Charlotte, Washington D.C., Atlanta, New York, Houston, and Dallas. In addition, RTS offers a dynamic online program through our Global Campus, reaching thousands all over the world.
MAI’s mission is to “glorify God and see lives transformed by communicating the message of Jesus Christ through the global environment of soccer.” This mission fits well with RTS’ vision to bring theological training and education to prepare the next generation of front-line missionaries, pastor-scholars, counselors, educators, and other ministry workers for the expansion of the kingdom.
David Urban, the CEO of MAI, commented on the new partnership: “The Bible calls us to take the gospel to the nations and God has given MAI opportunities to accomplish this through the most popular sport in the world, soccer. We are thankful for this new partnership with RTS, through which we hope to train and equip our staff to more effectively accomplish this gospel outreach task from Charlotte to the ends of the earth.”
Dr. Michael Kruger, president of the RTS Charlotte campus, added, “I love the mission of MAI and the Charlotte Eagles. They are on the front lines of ministry, sharing the gospel in hard to reach places through the sport of soccer. RTS is thrilled to provide theological education for their coaches, players, and leaders so they can fulfill this mission more effectively.”
For more information on this exciting partnership, visit the MAI Partnership page.