USG Returns to Kenya for 2025 Summer Mission Trip

In two weeks, Uncommon Sports Group will be returning to Nairobi, Kenya, with a group of fourteen Christian sport professionals and four staff for a two-week short-term mission trip. Each summer, Uncommon Sports Group offers a fully-funded international trip for sport industry professionals to experience life, faith, and community outside their normal context. USG members apply for international trips and are selected based on a set of criteria outlined by the USG staff.

USG has had the opportunity to serve in Kenya three times before, and we look forward to returning for a fourth time alongside our ministry partners there. This year’s team includes Christian sport industry professionals from various universities and organizations, including the Charlotte Hornets, Southern Methodist University, Florida State University, Middle Tennessee State University, the WNBA, the Indiana Pacers, Oregon State University, the University of Texas at Dallas, Liberty University, and the University of Minnesota.

What Are We Doing?

USG has two main partners in Kenya. The first partner is a Christian church and primary school located in an impoverished community within the city of Nairobi. The school provides education for students from preschool age until the eighth grade who otherwise would lack access to education.

USG will be serving alongside the school during the first three days of the trip. The USG team will provide various equipment for the school, including sports balls (soccer balls, basketballs, footballs, volleyballs), jump ropes, ball pumps, soccer goals, pencils, pens, and writing pads. Furthermore, the team will be serving the students through sports camps. The camps allow the students to compete with one another, develop teamwork skills, learn new sports, and practice Christ-centered principles.

Following the three days of sports camps, USG will engage in gospel evangelism within the impoverished community surrounding the school. We will be sent out in groups with members from the local church who can help with translation and engaging in conversation with locals.

The second partner that USG will be serving with is a local pastor and sports minister. Alongside this partner, USG will be hosting a coaches' clinic for approximately sixty sports coaches across Kenya and neighboring countries. The clinic will focus on providing practical instruction for the coaches in attendance to help them become Christ-centered leaders for their athletes. 

During the clinic, the coaches in attendance will hear instructional messages from three USG attendees, including one staff member. The topics that these messages will cover include “Coaching with a Purpose”, “Characteristics of a Godly Leader”, “Creating a Lasting Impact on Players”, and "Having an Eternal Perspective as a Coach." After each speaker, attendees will reflect on the message in small groups.

Beyond the important work that the group will be doing alongside USG's partners in Kenya, they will be doing a six-session Bible study together as a team through the book of Galatians. The group must remain grounded in the Word of God while being busy serving during the day!

Lastly, the group will have the opportunity to enjoy the beauty of Kenya by going on a safari at Amboseli National Park!

Who Is Attending?

USG is grateful to have fourteen sport industry professionals attending the mission trip to Kenya. Below is a short biography written by each attendee to allow you to get to know each of them better. Each of their biographies will have their reason for attending and a prayer request that they have leading up to the trip, and we encourage you to lift those requests to the Lord in prayer!

1. Aaron Magnuson- Facilities Operations Coordinator at Pacers Sports & Entertainment

   1. I’m excited for this unique opportunity to serve the people placed in front of me and expectant to see how the Lord is moving in another part of the world.

   2. A prayer request from me is that our group would maintain physical health throughout our time in Kenya. 

2. Alex Kaiser- Account Manager, Partnership Activation with the Charlotte Hornets

   1. Simply, I felt the Lord call me to this trip. I initially had a trip planned that would have prevented me from going to Kenya, and as soon as it got cancelled, the Lord put it on my heart to ask Mikey about what this year was looking like. It wasn't even a week later that applications opened up, and I knew it was what the Lord had for me for this summer.

   2. For the Lord to keep my health intact! I have struggled with a few different health issues over the last few years, and getting on a plane for a day is a bit nerve-racking.

3. Anna Hunsinger- Media Communications & Journalism Major at Asbury University

   1. I’m going on this trip to deepen my relationship with Christ, to seek the nations, and to share His love with others. I've never been on an international mission trip, and I know that this opportunity was one I couldn't pass up.

   2. Please pray that I can be a light to those I encounter. That ALL my words and actions are all for the kingdom!

4. Anthony Wedel- Ticket Office Associate at Liberty University Athletics

   1. I am attending this trip to push myself out of my comfort zone and experience something completely new in my walk with the Lord.

   2. A prayer request for me is that I can be fully present during the whole trip and be willing to be open to all experiences and opportunities that the trip is going to bring. Also, prayers that true radical transformation happens for the people we interact with, and our team.

5. Carter Stanton- Director of Creative Strategy for Southern Methodist Football

   1. I want to challenge myself personally to spread Jesus' name across the globe.

   2. A prayer request is for me to have an openness and willingness to allow the Lord to work in me and in our team in whatever ways He desires.

6. Elizabeth Wood- Owner of Ascension Performance Training and Mental Performance Consultant

   1. After spending several summers in high school serving on mission trips both in the U.S. and abroad, I’ve sensed the Lord stirring my heart to return to this kind of service. I believe He’s called me to empower others to step into their God-given purpose—especially through athletics in this season of my life—and I’m excited to bring that heart to Kenya.

   2. My prayer is that God would prepare hearts to receive His love and truth through our time there. I also ask for prayer for humility and a teachable spirit—for me to learn from those we serve and to plant kingdom seeds that will bear eternal fruit.

7. Hope Anderson- Athletic Equipment Manager at Oregon State University

   1. I decided to go on the Kenya Mission Trip to push myself out of my comfort zone, especially in my faith. I am excited to join alongside the other members of the mission team to go out, serve, and build relationships within the body of Christ. 

   2. My prayer request is for God to continue preparing my heart for the trip and to be present while in Kenya.

8. Paul Conner- Account Executive for Florida State Athletics

   1. My reason for attending the trip is to grow closer to the Lord and to learn what it means to serve and live on mission!

   2. Prayer request for me is for health and safety, being able to be fully present with the people and experiences around me, and to learn more and become closer to Jesus.

9. Sydney Wright- Associate Manager, Marketing Partnerships at WNBA

   1. I am attending this trip to serve and to learn about another culture.

   2. My prayer request is to love the kids and people well that we will be working with and for safe travel.

10. Victoria Smith- Learning Specialist at the University of Minnesota Athletics

    1. After building relationships with some of my international students through faith, I felt called by the Lord to participate in this mission trip and further explore the relationships He builds with His people outside of my own cultural background.

    2. My prayer request is that I may posture my heart in a manner of servitude and that I be open to all the ways the Lord will work during our time together.

11. Caitlyn Manning- Chief of Staff for Middle Tennessee State Football

    1. I am so excited to be joining the Kenya 2025 team! This is such a powerful opportunity to impact spiritual and relational growth -- not only in the communities we serve but also within our team. Sports are an international language that we get to use to share the love and light of Christ. I've always had a heart for Africa and a passion for sharing the gospel internationally. I can't wait to spend time with this team and see how God will work through us in Kenya!

12. Elias Henry- Seasonal Basketball Coach for the Orono Boys Basketball Association

    1. I'm attending this trip because I want to share the hope of Christ that I once heard about and eventually received for myself—a message that brought a life-changing experience into my life. I believe God has called me to serve others with that same message of love, hope, and transformation. As a coach and mentor, I’ve seen the impact of leadership and presence—and I’m excited to do the same through this ministry opportunity, pointing others to Jesus not just in word but in the way I live.

    2. Please pray that I would be led by God in all things and that those I encounter would see Christ living through me.

13. Angela Marin- Director of Athletics at the University of Texas at Dallas

    1. I am attending this trip to stretch myself personally and in my faith. I am excited to see the Lord work through USG and the opportunity to plant seeds of Christ's word.

    2. Praying for endurance, courage, and community.

14. Jordan Varner- Club Soccer Coach at Grand Canyon University

    1. I'm attending to glorify the Lord and grow through a new experience.

    2. My prayer request is for opportunities to share the Gospel.

Conclusion

USG is grateful to have the opportunity to serve the Lord in Kenya alongside a group of Christ-centered sport industry professionals. A special thank you to every supporter of Uncommon Sports Group, specifically those who have donated to the Clean Out For A Cause funding operation. Without your prayerful and financial support, trips such as these would not be possible!

If you are interested in keeping up with USG’s activities in Kenya, be sure to follow our social media pages or subscribe to our newsletter so you can see what we are up to!