Athletes in Action's World Training and Resource Center is seeing a long-awaited dream become a reality.

Their highly anticipated sports complex is nearing completion in Xenia, Ohio, a vision originally conceived by AIA founder Dave Hannah.

Founded in 1966, AIA has never had its own comprehensive sports complex, but has either shared or rented facilities for practice and competition.

"The Xenia property takes the dream I had to a whole new level," says Dave. "I think it's a fabulous concept and the fulfillment of a dream and vision that God laid on my heart."

AIA's headquarters relocated to Xenia in January 2002 after being at King's Domain (north of Lebanon , Ohio ) for 14 years, partially to see this vision lived out with spacious land available for development.

"Moving to Xenia was a big part of carrying out the original dream and vision of a sports complex," says Jerry Dendinger, Chief Operating Officer at Athletes in Action.

Included in the newly developed sports complex are two softball and soccer fields, one football field (also accommodating for soccer), one baseball field, a track and a ropes course.

Dorm and eating facilities, as well as two volleyball courts, are additionally available for use.

Originally, the vision was to utilize the property to maximize AIA's own ministry that has been in existence for 40 years. This includes hosting training camps for AIA teams slated to travel on short international tours, something AIA has already begun doing.

AIA also hosted the second annual Ultimate Training Camp (UTC) for college athletes in Xenia this past summer. Although the UTC originated in Ft. Collins, Colorado, and is still hosted there, the sports complex provides a great opportunity to have a camp in Ohio, too. At the UTC, participants learn the five AIA Principles, a tool that teaches them how to relate God to competitive sports.

"Having professional courts and fields is a huge plus in creating a competitive environment," says Scott Mottice, director of UTC Xenia. "It really helps them apply the biblical principles to their sports and take that application back to the incredibly competitive environment of college athletics."

Hosting events at the complex ultimately provides the opportunity to spiritually develop athletes and coaches as well as cast AIA's vision and recruit full-time staff members.

Among the AIA teams to use the facility already is the Xenia-based baseball team, currently playing 20 home games at the newly developed baseball field.

Secondarily, AIA envisions outside teams from around the United States and the world using the sports complex for many developmental purposes-physically, mentally and spiritually.

Last April, University of Central Florida women's soccer coach Amanda Cromwell hosted a clinic for girls ages 6 to 18.

And in June, a Bulgarian professional men's basketball team used the sports complex to gain knowledgeable skills and training applicable to their sport so they can better compete in their home country.

Other non-AIA related events were held at the facilities in June, including the Wright State University softball camp. Scheduled, too, is the National Christian School Athletic Association regional soccer championships.

Additionally, the complex will be used to host athletic events for nearby Xenia Christian and Dayton Christian High Schools.

A possible dedication of the sports complex will be held in late summer or early fall. Until then, AIA staff members ask that people continue to pray for all the details to come together so the facilities function well.

"There is a lot of work to do, a lot of systems to process through such as infrastructure, emergency response plans and contracts," says Jerry.

AIA leadership also continues to cast vision for finances needed to build two additional facilities-the Wooden Family Field House, a 48,000 sq. ft. complex named after legendary UCLA coach John Wooden and a 100,000 sq. ft. indoor soccer facility, featuring usage for soccer, football and golf.

Ultimately, while construction of state-of-the-art facilities is exciting, AIA's primary goal is to see lives radically changed through the power of the gospel for all who set foot on the campus.

"We really want to see people come to Christ and see their lives intersect with Jesus," says Jerry.

Brian Kolb's experience has been that. Playing on AIA Xenia's baseball team this summer, the Wheaton College sophomore says he is encountering Christ in a new way by integrating Him into his world of baseball.

"In the past, baseball has been a place where I would pray before the game and then go about the business of competing to win," says Brian. "However, after my time with AIA, I have been able to take the view of playing to glorify God and using the gift He gave me to honor Him and put it into practice."

While running the bases in games, he's also able to tell others why he chose to play with AIA this summer.

"Often I have reached first base and had the [opposing] first basemen ask where I was from," says Brian. "Since my answer is San Diego -which is a ways away-I can also express what AIA is about and how that is the reason I traveled so far."

For more information on Athletes in Action's sports complex, visit http://www.aia.com/sportscomplex/.