Visibly frustrated because his team was losing, Jordan Chynoweth wanted to clone himself to guarantee a victory.

"I found myself trying to win at all costs, yelling at teammates and spouting off at Athletes in Action staff," says Jordan . "I had to win."

Jordan had driven 1,200 miles from Muncie, Indiana, to Ft. Collins, Colorado, to attend Athletes in Action's Colorado Project. Many athletes who partake in this experience and other AIA Opportunities return to their college campuses with changed lives. But for Jordan, a swimmer at Ball State University, it was a rough start. Though his AIA Opportunity didn't require a passport, God still changed the 22-year-old's life in tremendous ways during the eight-week mission project designed to allow students to develop both their relationship with God and others and learn ministry skills to use in all areas of life.

In 2007 alone, 34 sports tours, camps and mission projects (also called Opportunities) were assembled to travel around the world with one basic goal--to communicate the gospel. Made up of numerous AIA staff members and 762 student-athletes and coaches representing various sports and universities, AIA Opportunities traveled to over 30 countries.

While telling others about Jesus is high priority for AIA Opportunities, serving another purpose is just as important.

"We want to train and equip athletes and coaches to be effective, life-long communicators of the gospel, no matter their occupation or place of residence," says Tim P., Director of AIA Opportunities. "After an athlete's time with AIA, they should be able to communicate their personal faith story and the gospel as well as effectively study the Bible when they return to their campus."

Jordan 's road to get to that point would prove difficult. A Christian since age 12, he was hit with a tough reality before he departed Indiana for the long journey west. He found it difficult to ask for funding needs to attend the project.

Issues of pride began to surface long before the drive to Colorado began.

"I usually don't ask for help," says the fifth year senior.

Once he arrived, Jordan suspected that the summer might be a long one. On just the second day, he started to see some things about his life that alarmed him. That's when the group of 26 student-athletes participating in the mission project began playing Ultimate Frisbee games.

By his team's sixth game the next day, Jordan realized that his actions were driven by more than his competitiveness--he had long nurtured a selfish pride. Complimented for years on his athletic ability and confident in how he could perform, Jordan had thought he'd be the best all-around athlete attending the mission project.

Later that evening back at the rented fraternity house where students and staff lived during the eight weeks, Jordan furiously recorded in a journal how God had clearly revealed the depth of his pride. As he filled pages stained with tears, Jordan realized who he had become.

"People had told me before [of how I came across] but I thought they were jealous of my athletic edge or that they didn't want me to succeed," says Jordan.

AIA staff member Kyle W. saw Jordan 's pride firsthand as he mentored the swimmer during the project.

"Jordan had this cocky, got-it-all-figured-out attitude coming in," says Kyle.

But Kyle also witnessed a dramatic change in Jordan 's life.

"The Holy Spirit broke him and I began to see a great teachable spirit take shape in him," says Kyle.

During Jordan's time in Colorado, every experience in which he was engaged--living with staff members and students in the house, Bible studies, late night talks, one-to-one training time with Kyle, and others--allowed him to see not only his pride but also the depth of Jesus' love that could overcome his shortcomings.

Now the upcoming AIA student-leader is energized to return to his campus and apply many of the lessons he learned during his hard--but good--summer in Colorado. He knows, with Jesus' help each day, he will return to the swimming pool a new man.

"Not being as prideful will open up doors and opportunities to witness or talk to other athletes who thought or heard that I might not be approachable," says Jordan.

He waits in anticipation for those conversations.

By T. Allen

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