So just in case you're new to what I am doing, I've decided to write a basic info blog that may bring you up to speed.
It started in college, Trevecca Nazarene University, where I found my love for ministry, specifically sports ministry. Obviously I love soccer and have had some success in he past so my dream of becoming a professional player was still in my future plans. I finally got my chance my Senior year to play for the Charlotte Eagles during one of their offseason tours to South East Asia. It was there where I realized this is what I want to do with my life.
Soccer teams are owned/operated by companies, hence the logos on the jerseys. You probably already know but currently I play for the Southern California Seahorses (intimidating I know...) We are owned by Missionary Athletes International (MAI) and are the farm team/ sister team of the Charlotte Eagles. The Eagles play in the professional league while SoCal plays in the development league (similar to AAA baseball). We are different than every other team in the entire world. What sets us apart from a normal club is that we operate as a Christian Ministry. Our entire staff, Coaches, and players are all Christians that strive to live out what Gods called them to do, sports ministry. We like to see ourselves as Christians who happen to play soccer rather than soccer players who happen to be Christians. Our team competes at a very high level and arguably the toughest conference in the entire league. We have brutal practices, tough sessions, and extremely hard fought matches but what's most important to us is that we use soccer as a platform of ministry. This is seen in number out ways, treating the other team and referees with respect, as well as respecting the game itself. We do not cheat, play dirty, waste time, or take dives. During the season we make multiple visits a week to local schools, churches, and after school programs where we tell our stories and play games with children. A major contributor to our ministry are the 5-8 camps we hold during the summer in which close to 500 kids attend each year. Last year alone we saw more than 60+ kids make decisions to follow Christ for the first time and that is better than any soccer trick I can teach. Camps are run by Seahorse players. Each player goes through Sports Ministry training (SMT) after every practice for 3-5 hours a week throughout the summer. During these times we learn to use our gift of soccer and make it pleasing to The Lord. Ministry and Soccer are not two separate things/times for us. Soccer is our ministry and our ministry is soccer, they are one. SMT is also a time where we have our small groups and bible studies together as players. We are a family and some of the best moments come from being open and vulnerable with your brothers.
Here is why I need some help. As a player, I do not get paid. Instead, all money that potentially would go to the player goes to the ministry/charity. I can not explain how rewarding this is for me. I get to see kids come to camp and learn to love soccer AND find a love for God all within one week. Some kids can not afford to go but with cheap registration and scholarships this is made possible. So instead of having a pay check from the team, I am attempting to raise support (similar to a missionary). I have been blessed with a place to live for the four months while I'm there however I still have to find a way to survive financially. California has much higher prices then Tennessee and so I am attempting to raise $5,000 for a 4-5 month span. This would cover registration fees, equipment, food/essentials, gas, and a one week mission trip to Mexico with the team. Currently I am about 65 percent to my goal and I am SO extremely blessed to have even gotten that far! God has been very good.
If you feel lead to help OR would like to know a little more and other ways to help please contact me (information below) I would love to give you a brochure and talk about my story. I am in need of a few more financial sponsors, but please do not feel pressured if you cannot donate. I too know the struggles of living and saving money and the last thing I want to do is give to a tall funny looking bimbo like myself. That being said a definitely recommend praying about it and if you feel led to give I would gladly walk you through the very simple process.
Thank you for reading and for the love and support you all have shown me over the last few months.
Please contact me whenever you please, I love talking to people!
God Bless!
Hayden Coffman
(615)268-9571
Haydencoffman1@gmail.com
141 Wessington PL
Hendersonville TN, 37075
Thursday, March 27, 2014
Monday, March 17, 2014
Let the Fundraising Begin!
It's that time of year, the toughest part of the year, preparation for the upcoming season. I have recently been preparing myself for what lies ahead. In about one month I will be packing my bags and moving to California for what promises to be another life changing experience. The process started about two months ago when I attempted to put on 10-15 pounds of muscle and reaching my goal of 210 pounds before the season begins. Currently I am about 5 pounds away from my goal but I'm very pleased with the results. Next step, in this process is preparing my body for the high demands of playing at a high level of soccer. Goalkeeper sessions, high intensity agility training, and long distance testing is required for the average athlete. Needless to say it neither easy nor fun but it is a necessity. Trying to balance work, fundraising, training, and spending as much time with family and friends has been very hard to balance out.
As many of you know, I raise support instead of getting paid as a player. I tell my story and talk to people in hopes that they too may see the good things that come out of this ministry and the work that I'm apart of in SoCal. In order to live and survive for the 4-5 months I am in California, I attempt to raise $5,000 to help cover expenses and to make this experience the best it can possibly be. Obviously I do not wish to ask/beg for money, I've been raised to always work hard for everything in life and that includes money. That being said, My mindset quickly changed once God called me into sports ministry. I had to realize that something's are not up to me but instead I must have faith and trust in God to provide. Raising support falls under this category; I cannot earn and save this amount of money on my own in such a short period of time. This requires me to trust God and ask for help. Currently I have made brochures about my situation and have been passing them out to those who may seem interested in partnering with me in the ministry. I am about half way to reaching to my goal of $5,000 but there is a lot more work to be done. Some supporters may be able to give $5 while others may be able to give $1,000 but no matter how much is given, every dollars goes to a ministry focused on making an impacted in the lives of every person I meet. If you are debating whether or not to support me or not, I simply ask that you wait and pray about it. Maybe your role is to pray for me on a daily basis, or even refer me to a friend that would be interested but any role you choose helps me tremendously. I can honestly say that I can not live out my dream without you.
Please keep me in your prayers as I continue to train and prepare for the upcoming season. If you are interested in coming along side me and sponsoring my efforts out West please email me and I would love to talk to you about how you can do that. If you would like a brochure please ask and I shall find a way to give it to you. Thank you all for the love and support, I am truly blessed to have people like you in my life.
God Bless
Hayden Coffman
Haydencoffman1@gmail.com
As many of you know, I raise support instead of getting paid as a player. I tell my story and talk to people in hopes that they too may see the good things that come out of this ministry and the work that I'm apart of in SoCal. In order to live and survive for the 4-5 months I am in California, I attempt to raise $5,000 to help cover expenses and to make this experience the best it can possibly be. Obviously I do not wish to ask/beg for money, I've been raised to always work hard for everything in life and that includes money. That being said, My mindset quickly changed once God called me into sports ministry. I had to realize that something's are not up to me but instead I must have faith and trust in God to provide. Raising support falls under this category; I cannot earn and save this amount of money on my own in such a short period of time. This requires me to trust God and ask for help. Currently I have made brochures about my situation and have been passing them out to those who may seem interested in partnering with me in the ministry. I am about half way to reaching to my goal of $5,000 but there is a lot more work to be done. Some supporters may be able to give $5 while others may be able to give $1,000 but no matter how much is given, every dollars goes to a ministry focused on making an impacted in the lives of every person I meet. If you are debating whether or not to support me or not, I simply ask that you wait and pray about it. Maybe your role is to pray for me on a daily basis, or even refer me to a friend that would be interested but any role you choose helps me tremendously. I can honestly say that I can not live out my dream without you.
Please keep me in your prayers as I continue to train and prepare for the upcoming season. If you are interested in coming along side me and sponsoring my efforts out West please email me and I would love to talk to you about how you can do that. If you would like a brochure please ask and I shall find a way to give it to you. Thank you all for the love and support, I am truly blessed to have people like you in my life.
God Bless
Hayden Coffman
Haydencoffman1@gmail.com
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