Scott M. began working with Campus Crusade for Christ in 1992 with the National Campus Ministry at Illinois State University. Two years later, the Warren, Ohio, native transferred to Athletes in Action where he currently serves as the Campus Director at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

In your fifteen years as a staff member with Campus Crusade, what has God taught you most about Himself?

He loves me unconditionally. He couldn’t love me anymore than He does, but He loves me too much to leave me where I am and wants to continually move me along in my relationship with Him and mature me in my faith.

Talk about your fundraising campaign for water wells in Africa. 

For the past three years we (AIA at Wisconsin) have held the “48 Hour Practice” to raise money to put clean water wells in areas of Africa ravaged with HIV/AIDS. It is one way we are taking to heart Jesus’ words in Matthew 25:34-40. We have had over 250 athletes from every UW team participate each year and have generated a total of over $15,000 for Blood: Water Mission and have placed a well in five African villages. The project has also allowed us to meet athletes who aren’t otherwise involved with us. 

Describe the atmosphere of a college football game at Camp Randall.

Sports Illustrated named Madison the number one college sports town in America. At 87,000 seats it’s not the biggest stadium, but it is one of the craziest. The student section is known for making the whole stadium shake by doing “Jump Around” at the end of the third quarter; there is never a dull moment. The marching band’s “5th Quarter” is also one of the best traditions in college football. (5th Quarter is the show the band does after every home game and some away games. They come back on the field and play all the UW favorite traditional songs. The majority of the stadium stays for it. People dance to the polkas, “Tequila” and others.)

You're a successful water ski instructor. What about the sport intrigues you?

I love skiing myself and enjoy coaching the UW club team. I have grown up on the water and there is nothing more relaxing to me than being on the water in some capacity. It’s exciting to see skiers improve, and I really enjoy ministering in the environment where I am the coach and not “the AIA guy.” It helps me remember the challenges facing each of thecoaches and athletes I disciple.

What did God teach you during your one-year STINT (Short Term International ministry assignment) in the Czech Republic in 1994-95?

It was very tough in a lot of ways. I was young on staff and put in a difficult leadership position in a very spiritually-cold country. I felt like a failure most of the year. I wouldn’t trade the experience for anything, though, as God really broke me of some pride and self-confidence issues. Overall, I learned to trust Him more for “results” (people praying and receiving Christ and growing in their faith).

If you could have any player (past or present) lead a talk at your weekly meeting, who would it be and why?
An athlete named Mark, a former student-leader and emcee for our AIA weekly meetings, led many others to Christ, etc. However, he started slipping away from his faith, not allowing himself to experience God’s love and forgiveness. He has been married and divorced, had a child with another woman, etc.  I would want people to see that sin is only fun for a season and that it’s important to truly trust the Father’s love for us, experience His forgiveness and then fall deeper in love with Him.

Full names of Athletes in Action staff members have been withheld to protect those serving in religious-sensitive countries.

Photos:

Top: Scott, second from left, is with four brothers and their father from the Turner family. All four boys wrestled at Wisconsin, trusted in Jesus Christ as their Savior and were part of AIA's Leadership Team.

Middle: Male student-athletes on AIA's Leadership Team.

Bottom: At the Global Summit on HIV at Saddleback Church in California with representatives from Blood: Water Mission, including Dan Haseltine, founder of the organization and lead singer of Jars of Clay.