USG Returns to Kenya for 2026 Summer Mission Trip
- Uncommon Sports Group
- 6 days ago
- 8 min read
On June 4th, Uncommon Sports Group will return to Nairobi, Kenya, with 16 Christian sports professionals and 4 staff members 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 criteria outlined by USG staff.
USG has had the opportunity to serve in Kenya four times before, and we look forward to returning for a fifth time alongside our ministry partners there. This year’s team includes Christian sport industry professionals from various universities and organizations, including the Charlotte Hornets, University of Kentucky, Nashville Predators, Baylor University, University of Houston, University of Michigan, Texas Christian University, Hawai'i Pacific University, Jackson State, and more.
What Are We Doing?
Upon arrival, the team will minister alongside the Rosslyn Academy, a top-rated International School in Kenya, which inspires and equips each student to develop their God-given gifts for Christ-like service in the world community. After partnering with the local community, the group will attend church with one of our ministry partners at Huduma Cathedral in Kawangware.
Another partner is a Christian church and primary school located in an impoverished community in Nairobi. The school provides education for students from preschool through eighth grade who would otherwise lack access to education.
Over the next three days, USG will serve alongside the Huduma School in Kawangware. 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 serve 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 third partner that USG will be serving with is a local pastor and sports minister. Alongside this partner, USG will host a coaches' clinic for approximately 100 sports coaches from 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 attending coaches will hear instructional messages from three USG attendees, including three staff members. The topics that these messages will cover include “Spiritual Disciplines for a Coach”, “Serving God with the Big Picture in Mind", “Power of God's Word for Coaches”, and "Developing Healthy Relationships." After each speaker, attendees will reflect on the message in small groups.
Following the Coach's Seminar, the Kenya team will serve at a soccer tournament (Kenya Assemblies of God Church & School), sharing the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ, officiating games, encouraging the players/coaches, and more.
Beyond the important work the group will be doing alongside USG's partners in Kenya, they will also do 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 serving throughout the day!
Lastly, the group will have the opportunity to enjoy Kenya's beauty by going on a safari in Amboseli National Park!
Who Is Attending?
USG is grateful to have seventeen sport industry professionals attending the mission trip to Kenya. Below is a short biography from each attendee to help you get to know 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!
Travis Jarome - Jackson State, Associate AD / Sports Media
To be the hands and feet of Jesus, to serve as I am called to serve. Also, to grow in my faith.
A prayer request(s) is for safe travels and discernment of His Word while on the trip; prayers for grace and mercy while traveling to an unknown place.
Rusty Watson - Mill Creek High School Basketball
I am attending this trip to follow the Lord's commandment to spread the Gospel in all the ends of the earth Acts 1:8 I truly believe he has called me here to use my strengths to further his kingdom.
Please pray for me to be completely focused on where my feet are while I am there. To listen to those around me and follow the Holy Spirit in everything I do. Pray for the Lord to use me to speak at the coaches' clinic. Pray for our team to come together as a family on mission for the Lord. Pray we all stay healthy and have the energy each day to give it our all!
Garrett Shifflett - Hawai’i Pacific University Men’s Basketball
I am attending the trip to see how the Gospel reaches parts of the world that don't have the same earthly blessings as we do, and to see a new place.
Pray for safe passage to and from Kenya, and that God would use us to plant seeds in the hearts of those we meet.
Elizabeth Hornak - Account Executive, Group Sales / Charlotte Hornets
I am attending this trip to spread the beautiful name of Jesus as well as to strengthen my relationship with Him and grow closer to other brothers and sisters in Christ.
My prayer request is for the Holy Spirit to move powerfully throughout this trip, and the people we interact with encounter the glory and love of God.
Dana Blount - Texas Christian University
My reason for attending the Kenya Mission trip is to live out my faith through service, use my leadership and service experience to support others, and continue growing spiritually through cross-cultural, faith-based outreach.
Please pray for spiritual strength, fortitude, and endurance throughout the journey.
Gretchen LeVan – University of Valley Forge, Director of Athletics
I'm attending because God has been nudging me to step beyond my comfort zone. Kenya feels like that invitation — a chance to serve, to give, and to be used by Him in ways I can't yet fully imagine.
Pray that we have divine appointments where those we encounter can sense the presence of Jesus on us and we have the opportunity to share the gospel.
Hans Malebranche - Baylor University
I was invited by a friend and supported by my employer to attend this trip.
Pray that God would arrest any judgmentalism and pride that I have about my culture and my way of doing things, and be open to receiving wisdom from other people and other cultures.
Geoff Green - Neuroscientist at University of Houston, Cognitive Performance Consultant for fitness and athletics
God has given me so much and done so much for me. Everything I’ve asked for, He has been supplying. However, instead of asking God to provide this and bless me with that, I’ve started asking God what do You want me to do, where do You want me to go, and to whom do you want me to meet/speak? God provided an opportunity for Kenya, so I didn’t hesitate.
For God to speak through me at every minor and major encounter/opportunity. Learn to see with my heart and not my eyes.
Rasheed Flowers - University of Kentucky, Associate Professor (Sport Management)
My reason for attending is to answer the call to use the platform of sport to share the Gospel (and a precious gift to do that with my wife!)
The prayer request is for God to be glorified through our humility, surrender, and service.
Natalie Bale - George Fox University, Doctor of Psychology Student/Linfield University Sports Psych Practicum Student
I wanted to attend the USG Kenya mission trip because I got to see the impact of USG’s partnerships in Nairobi first-hand two years ago. It is such a gift to get to love on the kids during sports camps, but also to see the long-lasting change happening thanks to Huduma’s heart for people to know Jesus. I also met my husband on this mission trip in 2024, and getting to go back as a married couple is a great way to live out God’s purpose for our marriage. We are excited to serve the Lord as a team!
My prayer request is for good sleep and recovery throughout the trip so that we can give all that we have to the people we are serving!
David Ingemi - Nashville Predators
I’ve always had a strong desire to be the hands and feet of Jesus overseas, and the timing of this trip truly feels like an answered prayer. Serving at a sports camp in Kenya is a perfect opportunity to combine my passion for sports with my faith. I’m excited for the opportunity to grow spiritually, step outside my comfort zone, and gain a broader understanding of different cultures and perspectives around the world.
Please pray that our team would make a meaningful impact on everyone we encounter, that we would have safety and protection throughout the trip, and that I would grow closer to the Lord and experience Him in a new way.
Victoria Smith - University of Minnesota, Twin Cities
I want to attend this trip because I have truly felt called back to the mission field and to the Kawangware community ever since our farewell last summer. I am deeply looking forward to the opportunity to continue serving a community that holds such a special place in my heart.
Prayers that the Lord would continue to shape my heart into one that desires a life of servitude.
Jalen Stone - University of Michigan
The reason for attending the trip is to deepen my trust in God's plan for my life.
The prayer request is for physical health.
Preston Fore - Missouri Baptist University football.
I am looking forward to attending this trip. At first, I was hesitant to apply, but God says in 2 Corinthians 5:7, "For we walk by faith, not by sight." After a couple of days of prayer, I felt led to apply and wanted to challenge myself in my faith by stepping outside my comfort zone. My goal is to serve God and share His love with those who may not know Him.
I ask for prayer for the people in Nairobi whom we will meet, that God would fill our conversations and time together with joy and love, and that He would open their eyes to see how good He is. I also ask for prayer for our team, that God would keep us safe throughout the trip and fill us with wisdom, strength, and joy as we serve there.
William Bale - George Fox University
Two years ago the Lord divinely opened the door for me to attend and challenged me in service and boldness. I experienced the love of Christ abroad and even met my wife. I am returning to serve once again with a new team to walk in unity and love in the body of Christ and see the Lord move once again.
Prayer request: Prevent any illness, and that our team would walk in humility, love, and patience.
James Berkenpas - Uncommon Sports Group.
I am going to live out the Great Commission and grow in community with the global body of Christ.
Prayer request: That the team would bond as one in our goal to serve God and our Kenyan brothers and sisters.
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!