Jim and Laurie Goodrich have been on AIA staff together for 23 years. Prior to working with AIA, both served with Campus Crusade for Christ. The couple met in Laurie’s hometown of Park River, North Dakota, while Jim was coaching Little League Baseball. The Goodrichs have been married for 29 years, currently live in Coralville, Iowa, and work on the University of Iowa campus. Jim and Laurie are the proud parents of their three grown children (Rae Ann, 27, Aaron, 24 and Paul, 21). Continue reading to learn more about the wonderful Goodrich family.

What is a “typical” day like for you at the University of Iowa?

Laurie: As a wife and mother within the Athletes in Action ministry, my role has changed (and does every six months or so). My role however has always been to encourage Jim with his athletic endeavors working with the athletes at the University of Iowa. I’m not athletic myself but am very supportive of Jim and all the athletes with whom we’re involved. For example, we opened up our home to a student athlete from Florida who recently had knee surgery. I told him, “I’m not your mom but I will act like your mom for a few days!”

Jim: As the Campus Director at the University of Iowa, I definitely try to evangelize and disciple as many athletes and coaches as possible. Right now, I lead team Bible studies on three teams and coaches Bible studies on two teams, as well as serving as the full time chaplain for the football and basketball teams. I also coordinate the chapel sessions for the teams when they’re traveling to away games. Preparing Bible studies, attending prayer meetings and/or discipling individual athletes throughout the day and taking a key Christian athlete around campus sharing the gospel message makes for a great day!

What are some specific rewards and challenges in working with campus ministry?

Laurie: We’ve been through many years together here at Iowa so the challenge is to stay fresh, encouraging, and positive, knowing God’s call on our lives and carrying it out for Him! A real positive is seeing the athletes come to Christ, truly walk with Him and happily sharing His message with others!

Jim: Seeing athletes grow spiritually! The basketball and wrestling coaches spend time with me and allow me to mentor them, which is very rewarding! However, what keeps me on staff is the joy of sharing my faith, in addition to the opportunity to train an athlete to share his faith with teammates. This job can be lonely at times and you feel under-appreciated. By faith we press on and persevere through those challenges.

If you were asked to serve in a different department within AIA, which department would you choose and why?

Laurie: I have found a niche in writing and publications and so I would work with the Communications department.

Jim: The basketball department because I’m a basketball guy! I’ve done a couple of tours with the department and enjoyed working with the staff. I played college basketball at the University of North Dakota.

If you could have dinner with Jesus and one other biblical figure, who would it be and why?

Laurie: I would pick Ruth because of the choices that she made and the faith and trust she had. I’d like to hear more about her life.

Jim: The apostle Paul. Recently we’ve been doing a lot of chapel talks centered around his ministry and seeing his perseverance and love for the Lord and how it motivated him to work so hard and persevere through any and every circumstance.

What do you feel is the biggest misunderstanding of today’s student athletes?

Laurie: Wow! I think people think the student athletes have it “all together.” There are many challenges facing today’s student athletes. They need prayer just like everybody else.

Jim: I don’t think people realize the amount of time that is required of today’s student athletes. Their schedules are so demanding that they have little time to do anything else.

You have the entire day to do whatever you want, how do you spend your day?

Laurie: I’d go downhill skiing and ballroom dancing!

Jim: Sleep in! We’d go out for breakfast, take some time to ski, maybe catch a movie, and then go ballroom dancing.