Praise the Lord for the intimate and personal ways He touches each of us. Each individual story of salvation is nothing short of a miracle. His miracle in me is captured below.

Growing up in an unguided but open spiritual environment, I was a fairly insecure kid. People's opinion of me mattered so much, and the lack of attention from girls did not help. I remember one specific instance where I cried in my mother's arms because of how unpopular I felt and how badly I wanted to be liked.

Playing tennis was one thing in life that brought me attention. I was successful at a young age, and entered high school as the freshman who played varsity. The imbalance between getting attention in tennis and not otherwise resulted in becoming very arrogant on the tennis court. At this point, I was focused on myself, wanted cool friends, and didn't feel that I had purpose other than self-glorification.

During my junior year of high school, I was invited to a Young Life (ministry to high school students) meeting. To be honest, it was the cool thing to do on Monday nights so I went to be a part of the fun. Then, as I heard short Bible lessons at the end of each meeting, I became more and more interested in the Bible and what it had to say. During one meeting, the leader asked us to bow our heads and pray and receive Christ if we had not done that before. I prayed that prayer, but didn't really understand much of what I had done.

I learned more and more in high school but my main spiritual growth came in college when I got involved in Athletes in Action on the University of California-Berkeley campus.

Collegiate-level tennis was quite a change. I went from the best player on my team in high school to one of the "least appreciated." Because of this shift, I looked for any attention I could get from my coach and teammates. I remember trying harder when the coach was watching and wanting to win so badly that I would sometimes cheat against teammates.

The summer after my sophomore year I attended the Athletes in Action Ultimate Training Camp in Colorado and it rocked my world. The Lord taught me that my only audience should be Him and that every time I step on the court I am not trying to impress anyone. Now I can play a "thank you performance"--simply thanking Him for the gift He has given me and playing in intimate communion with Him.

The next season I gave everything I had no matter who was watching, and I was more of a team player. In doing so, I became an All-American and the team captain. I became more confident in what God says is true about me and who I am as His child, instead of what the world thinks of me. Since entering into a personal relationship with God through Christ, I have become more others-centered, have the coolest friends (other growing Christians), and serve a great purpose in what the Lord currently has given me to do.

The Lord's purpose for my life includes professional tennis and ministry. My buddy, Adam Davidson, and I currently travel around the world playing professional tennis and communicating the gospel with players, coaches, officials and other people associated with the ATP (Association of Tennis Professionals) Tour. I now have a world doubles ranking of #135 and we just became an official ministry called Cross Court Ministries. The Lord has taught me that each time I play or communicate the gospel, I must die to myself for Him to be glorified. He is the Rock on which I stand.

Photos: Above, Patrick (left) and Adam play in a tourney in the Middle East. Left, Patrick competes at UC-Berkeley.

Each month you will be introduced to a life changed through Athletes in Action. If your life (or someone you know) has been greatly touched through your involvement with AIA, please send an e-mail to communications@aia.com. 

Key Measurements

What are Key Measurements?