ICTA Founder, Scott Paschal, and his wife, Mel, in St. Augustine, Florida.

Morning!

It’s early…about 5am. I don’t really do early. This morning my “God alarm clock” woke me and led me to connect you to a couple of emails I received recently.

One is from an Egyptian-Muslim. The other is from a Hindu.

Not sure why God wants you guys to connect with these emails, but here they are.  I feel led to write to you about each one, as well.

Hopefully, my Hawaiian Kona coffee kicks in so you guys don’t have to call or email me more than usual about mistpelled wurds!

I pray God’s purpose in my life this morning will be accomplished….

Please, note that one particular link in this article will lead to shocking pictures and a powerful story of Muslim extremists burning Christians alive in Egypt.  I feel it’s important to add this link…to help you see the reality others may be facing around us.

And, if you would like,  please share a comment/prayer for Hassan to read and be inspired.  There is a comment posting section at the end of this article.

God bless!

Scott Paschal  (Coach Scotty) Read Bio

International Christian Tennis Association, President

————————————————-

Let’s begin with Hassan’s first email to me…

I’m an Egyptian -Muslim religion.  I am 28 years old and I have a lot of faith in Christ and I want to become a Christian.  I am right now in Kuwait, but I fear for myself of murder and injustice.  Please help urgent.
Hassan
Kuwait

Hassan contacted me through International Christian Tennis Association’s online home, Christiantennis.net.

(Click here for pictures and articles to quickly gain a better understanding of situation in Egypt. Warning, very graphic.)

Hassan, please know…”He paid for you with the precious lifeblood of Christ, the sinless, spotless Lamb of God.”  1 Peter 1:19 (NLT)  “The Father gives me my people. Every one of them will come to me, and I will always accept them.” John 6:37 (NCV)

I would like to ask each Christian reading this to please pray for Hassan…that He discovers an eternal relationship with Jesus.  And, please post a prayer or a comment for Hassan, and others like him worldwide, in the comment section at the end of this article.

“May you have the power to understand as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how tall, and how deep God’s love really is.” Ephesians 3:18 (NLT)

Hassan’s email really reached me…deep inside near where God planted the original vision/dream of global ministry through tennis.

I was Hassan’s age when I felt a need to begin a search for my purpose.  I felt a need to know the reason why I was created.  I, too, felt a need to know Jesus, but didn’t know what to do.

ICTA full time academy students, Ana & Mark. Have coached Mark for 3.5+ yrs and Ana for 3+ yrs. Ana Kharchenko plays tennis professionally now. Mark is transitioning from juniors to pro qualifiers/college this year. Proud of both for such incredible dedication and effort to develop into Champions for Christ and shine for Him through tennis in Godless countries worldwide...

Fourteen years later, I am blessed to see my purpose  to strive daily to connect people to a living God, and disciple them.

The journey to reach this point has been a difficult, yet amazing one.

Let me say that seeing and realizing my purpose doesn’t mean I am perfect, or better than you.

Like a tennis player who double faults, hits the ball out or into the net, swears under his breath, loses a match…I’ve made plenty of mistakes.

Having discovered my purpose in life simply means that I now understand the “game”, the situation for which I’ve been uniquely created.

After teaching all levels of tennis for nearly a quarter of a century, after coaching players from 21 nations and 15 USA states full time at my tennis academy, after studying the game from among the best tennis mentors in the world…I understand how to build world class junior and professional tennis players.

I understand players and I understand the game.  Combining the two creates a world class opportunity for success for those I choose to coach.

Yet, my purpose isn’t to teach tennis.  That was just an analogy, an example.

The “game” I’m talking about is actually a war…a spiritual war we all live in and are surrounded by every minute of every day. Some are aware of the battle, most are not.  Yet, all are in the war whether they see it or not…

It is a war for eternal souls. Heaven or Hell. Hassan accepting Christ and facing persecution on earth…or denying Christ and facing an eternity without Him.

The reason God uniquely created me was to connect people of different faiths worldwide with Him.  Tennis is simply a tool God has gifted me in.

Scott Paschal sharing Christian faith, Christian Bibles & books...in ICTA Outreach Booth at world's 5th largest pro tennis tournament, the 2009 Sony Ericsson Open in Florida. Over 300,000 people from 130+ countries attend...

Some people sing, and through song they share their faith.  Me, tennis is my song….

Hassan, like me and you, has a purpose through God.

Unlike me, Hassan lives in Egypt, and travels to Kuwait.

He is Muslim. And, because he wants to know about Jesus and become a follower of Jesus, he is concerned about his safety.  (Click here for pictures and articles to quickly gain a better understanding of situation in Egypt. Warning, very graphic.)

What about your situation? What is your religion/faith/belief?  When you die, will you spend eternity in Heaven…?

Hassan has a choice. He can choose to follow Christ…to make Jesus his personal Lord and Savior.  Or, not.  Like all of us, he can worship a false idol or he can surrender his life to Jesus.

I know men who were Muslim and are now Christian. Yet, these men live in the safety of America.  They are free to worship.  Would these men be able to live in Egypt with their families and still maintain their faith in the face of torture and death?  It’s a very real question.

John 3:16 in the Bible says, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, and whoever believes in this will never die, but will have eternal life in Heaven.”

That’s a bold statement.  It’s also an eternal one.

I will continue writing to Hassan and we work together to bring Him to an eternal relationship with Jesus. This morning, I would like to ask you to keep Hassan in your prayers.  He has much to consider and learn.

I’d also like you to dive deep inside of yourself.

Have you discovered your purpose for existing? If not, first ask yourself  if you truly have an eternal relationship with Jesus.

I’m firmly convinced that true happiness and a true understanding of love is not possible unless we are united with our Creator and are walking step for step in the unique path He designed for each of us

Imagine the global impact if Roger Federer had courage to stand up for Christ with the boldness & love of Jesus' original disciples, Michael Chang, Chris Tomlin, or Billy Graham! I fully believe my tennis academy will one day develop top 10 ATP & WTA players w the courage to SHINE!

Your purpose in life is waiting for you.  It is very real….

Will post a really special email from a Hindu man as soon as possible..probably in my next article.

Now, I have to do some office work…phone calls, emails, organizing…and coaching of my wonderful, Christian, international students who are here full time at my Florida based, high performance tennis academy program!

If you  feel God leading…please post a comment and/or prayer for Hassan….

God bless each of you!

Coach Scotty

Galations 2:20

Some of my tennis academy players in St. Joseph, Missouri, during mission trip. This pic taken at original Pony Express headquarters that is now famous western museum.

100,000!

Wow!

100,000!

Almost can’t believe it.  So neat how ICTABlog has not only survived, but thrived.

To me, a couple years ago, 100,000 was too big of a number for me to wrap around. 10,000 seemed huge!

I get phone calls and emails from people who read something I’ve written and it reaches them in some way.  Some folks are really positive and supportive…some are really nasty and mean.  But, either way it’s good to see faith & tennis being connected and discussed.

Btw, remember my Gasquet article? I think it was just a few articles ago. Anyway, his suspension has been lifted!  Turns out he didn’t do anything purposefully wrong.  Never did cocaine!

But, he did kiss a girl at a party who did…and that caused him to get the equivalent of a grain of sand of cocaine in his body which caused his blood to test positive for a banned substance.

I’m glad Rafa kept speaking out about how Gasquet  doesn’t do drugs! And I’m glad you guys told your friends to tell their friends to tell their friends to read my article.

Finally, thanks for your support of my Twitter micro-blog! Great to hear you guys like receiving the updates…either by coming here or christiantennis.net... or some of you have updates sent to your cell phones in real time!!  Awesome!

God bless,

Coach Scotty

International Christian Tennis Association

President

386 793 0557/ teamICTA@yahoo.com

Those of you who know me have a pretty good idea I like to make people laugh.

Recently, ICTA welcomed a new player to the ICTA Women’s Pro Tennis Team. Her name is Lo and she is from Nigeria.  I know her Dad.

Lo attends a college in the US where she competes on the school’s tennis team. She is training with me for the summer to strengthen her tennis, and to deepen her faith in Christ.

In the first 12 days I’ve coached Lo she has taken a bus to meet us in Sumter, SC where she trained for 4 days… drove with us to Palm Coast… drove a day later to Hilton Head Island, SC. where she trained for 4 days… drove back to Palm Coast yesterday… and will fly to El Paso, Texas at 7am in the morning.

Her schedule is stacked and packed.  I don’t think she has ever experienced anything like this before.

Welcome to pro tennis… and Christian missions outreach.

Honestly, people really have no idea how much we do on a daily basis to follow the Great Commission…

I’m focused on developing Lo’s leadership skills, and on showing her facts about Jesus… that He is Christ.

Sure, her tennis will improve a lot. But, that’s the easy part.

The hard part can be looking inward and honestly seeing what needs to improve in your life.

In less than 2 weeks, Lo has been challenged intensely, and she can see her weaknesses… on and off court.

Part shocked and part excited for the challenge, Lo is undergoing massive training.

From extreme 2 on 1 tennis workouts, 10 mile bike rides, tennis matches in pro tournaments, travel to 4 new cities in 12 days by bus, van, and plane…

… to meeting new people from 6 countries… Lo has been busy.

In addition, I have Lo studying Lee Stroebel’s book A Case for Christ and John Maxwell’s book Failing Forward.  My hope is Stroebel can deepen her belief that Jesus is Christ, and that Maxwell can teach Lo that mistakes can become our motivation and our guide to improvment.

That said, we have a ton of fun in between tennis training, matches, and discipleship.

Lo mentioned she’s laughed more in these 10 -12days than in the last 5 months combined since she has come to the USA!

On to the video…

Lo loves Snickers. She bought a whole bag of the little Snickers when I first met her.  She loves to eat them when no one is looking!

When we were all in Sam’s Club (huge wholesale food warehouse owned by Walmart) in Hilton Head Island during our Christian outreach to a USTA Pro Circuit tournament recently, I saw a bunch of boxes of Snicker’s bars… so I wanted to take a pic of Lo with them.

But, instead of a picture I took a really fun video!!

Lo LOVED it minutes later when she found out!

Enjoy the video and please keep Lo in your thoughts and prayers.  God is doing a big work in her life!

God bless,

Coach Scotty

I really love attending church.

I know it’s a special privilege to be able to worship God at a Christian church.

This is a picture of me, a couple of my full time tennis academy students, and a special visitor a couple days ago before church started.

On the left is Hiromi Takeuchi who is visiting ICTA as she journeys around the USA and travels to different parts of the world.  Hiromi is Japanese and has a passion to become a translator for people who journey to Spanish speaking countries or Japan! When visiting ICTA Hiromi also loves to hit tennis balls with my students!   In front is Luke from Costa Rica.  Anastasia from Ukraine is on the right…both Luke and Ana are full time students of mine.

My life is so blessed.

I am able to coach full time amazing young men and women from countries worldwide. I get to plan and implement large-scale mission trips to prestigious pro tennis tournaments.  I have friends who care about me.  I attend a tremendous church and am friends with my pastor, missions pastor, and worship leader.  I am the director of an international sports ministry.

Wow.  God is so good.

I pray God is leading you in your life.  That you know the peace that comes from giving Him all.

That you ignore Satan’s lies as he works to destroy your confidence….

Regardless of how young or how old,  how rich or how poor… God can and will use you, if you only open your heart to Him.

God bless,

Scott Paschal

International Christian Tennis Association

Enjoy some sights from the 2009 Sony Ericsson Open.

Man, have we had a great time shining for Christ to over 250,000 tennis fans from around the world.

We are each exhausted, yet fulfilled.

More soon…   scotty

Huge Jumbotron Screen Showed Stadium Matches

Men's Draw

ICTA Gained Record Breaking Numbers of New Members at This Event!

Local TV News Interviewed Me... Great Time Sharing ICTA w/ Miami!

ICTA Founder, Scott Paschal, with new ICTA members!

I’m having a great time here at the Sony Ericsson Open in Key Biscayne, Florida.

ICTA Global Missions is hosting a large-scale outreach offering free Christian materials to over 300,000 tennis fans.

These two ladies with me in this picture are new ICTA members… and I had a great time with them yesterday, and again this morning as they came by ICTA’s booth on their way to watch a match in the Grandstand.

In our outreach booth we offer free Bibles and Christian books. ICTA also offers a free membership to anyone who would like to join.

Our membership has grown by about 150 people the first couple of days.  Engineers, tennis pros, teachers, writers, financial investors, dentists, students and much, much more…  a lot interesting people.

I’m having a really nice time meeting them.

Will send more updates as time allows.  I have internet access here at our booth, but little time to write so far.

Thanks for your prayers as International Christian Tennis Association brings the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the world’s 5th largest pro tennis tournament.

God bless!

Coach Scotty

ballboy4jesus@yahoo.com/386 793 0557/www.christiantennis.net

Fulltime ICTA Academy Student, Mark, From Mexico.

I don’t know what is going on, but lately I can’t stop reading Philippians.

Seriously, every day I’m studying this stuff. Not just every day… every morning, every break, in the evening, before bed.

Philippians is like chocolate. I love chocolate, too. Dark chocolate. I think about chocolate nearly every time after I eat, except after breakfast.

Chocolate after breakfast isn’t good. I’ve tried it. Maybe hot cocoa on a cold day after breakfast….

Anyway, back to my current obsession with this book in the Bible.

ICTA Academy's WTA Ranked Fulltime Student, Anastasia Kharchenko from Ukraine, Returning Serve As She Prepares For a 3 Week ICTA Women's Pro Team Tour in Peru.

I’ve read Philippians about three times a day for the last week or so.

And I’ve studied books that were written to explain more about Philippians.

The books help me to get the big picture of what all was happening back in the day.

And the more I learn the more I want to learn.

Coach Scotty the history dude.

Who would have thought it?

Mark Has Trained w/ Coach Scotty and ICTA for Over 2.5 Years.

History Dude’s factoid #1: Philippi has a claim to fame as being the first city in Europe to have a church.

Yep, cool stuff, huh!?

Paul had a vision of a guy pleading for help from Macedonia (Act 16).

This got Paul into action!

He sails out of Troas during his 2^nd missionary journey… lands near Philippi… and hikes 10 miles inland to reach the city.

Then and there, Paul starts the first church in Europe!

As an 18 year old teenager, Ana Won 2 Professional Tournament Titles in 2008.

This first church stays intensely loyal to Paul… and I really love studying his letter to them.

A God seeded vision… global journey… church planting… loyalty…. AWESOME stuff to learn.

Want some controversy?

Ok, Paul wrote this letter from prison.

Currently a Senior, Mark Will Earn His High School Degree at ICTA Through the Abeka Education System.

I can hear the gasps from “modern day” Christians in the USA striving hard to keep up their godly appearances and reputations.

Yes, Mr. And Mrs. Modern… prissonnn…

Paul even said he was ready to die, if needed, for the sake of the Gospel!

I know, I know…. I can hear your further gasps, as you pull your over protected 19 year old babies closer to your bosom and cover their eyes and ears from such rumor and controversy.

Moving on…

Honestly, I have no idea why God has sparked such a passion inside of me to study Philippians.

But, whatever His reasons may be, I know my life is further growing and improving as I focus strongly on God’s word.

In other news…

• ICTA Women’s Pro Tennis Team is flying to Lima, Peru in Wednesday for a missions tour to 3 ITF Women’s Pro Circuit tournaments. This is the first time the team will travel to South America. Please keep this special team and mission outreach in your prayers.

• ICTA Blog is closing in on 70,000 visitors! January was our biggest month ever with 10,159 visitors. February was a close 2^nd with 9934 visitors. I want to thank each of you for telling your friends about International Christian Tennis Association.

• Remember the Malaysian player who wanted to come train with me, but couldn’t get visa approval? I received word from his Dad recently that he finally did receive his visa! Plans right now are for him to arrive the 3^rd week of March.

A lot of neat stuff is happening around here… and is upcoming!

I will keep you guys in the loop and up to date as God further grows and develops both me and ICTA.

Thank you for your prayers, emails, and phone calls of support, advice, and encouragement.  In the chaos that is the fallen US economy and a Godless tennis industry… ICTA is actually growing… and has enjoyed our best year ever.

I’m not sure why, though.

I guess God just wants to keep His hand on us.   That’s what it’s really all about, too.  God blessing.

Thanks for taking a break with me.  I’m going to get back to studying Philippians… and planning an upcoming missions outreach, which I will share with you soon.

God bless you guys!

Coach Scotty

President, ICTA Inc    386 793 0557

13 Year Old Fulltime ICTA Academy Student from South America Ripping a Forehand.

What would happen if today’s generation of youth realized they could make a difference in the world?

By this I mean if today’s tweener and teen generation had the opportunity to somehow view two different potential paths in life side by side, which path would they choose?

For instance, one path leads to a typical high school experience.  Then on to a typical college experience.  From there comes a marriage at a young age, children, and the race to acquire stuff.  Church is simply a chore to help the kids.  TV is god.  Tolerance of gays shows you are a hip person.  Soon, divorce appears… kids go to college…  2nd and 3rd marriage…. retirement.

High Performance Tennis Training Can Be Used as a Tool to Teach Generation Next How to Passionately Serve in a Fallen World

OK, now I’m depressed, too.

Now, let me offer you another view.

The only word for it is radical.  Not better.  Not higher.  Radical.  Maybe another word we could use would be revolutionary….

Before I load the bullets and cock the hammer, I want to ask you something.

Why are you here?

Not here as in reading my trivia, but why are you alive on earth?  What is your purpose?

It’s a big question.

My purpose on earth?  I am here to be crucified with Christ (Gal. 2:20.) I am here to spread the fame of the most controversial figure in history.  And I really don’t care who approves or disapproves, either.

Anastasia Kharchenko's New Backhand. Ana's New Shot Is a Powerful Weapon. It Is a Great Addition To the Christian Apologetics (Defense) She Passionately Studies

My goal is to do what I can to destroy Satan’s plans by exposing his fraud.

How?

Through my sharing, and teaching others how to share, the victory of Jesus’ blood shed on a Roman cross.

Now that the vast majority of you, particularly American Christians, are now confused with what I just wrote, I’ll dumb it down for you.

I realize you’ve strayed far from the Cross.  You typically claim to follow Jesus… but you get a little uncomfortable about the thought of being “crucified with Christ.”  (Gal 2:20)

That’s a bit too radical for you, huh?

OK, I’ll add some sights and sounds and funny things here to entertain you, like you get with your TV god and wimpy, modern-day “feel-good” Christianity….

Anastasia Kharchenko is Totally Prepared to Explode into the Ball. She Is Also Preparing to Explode into a Dark World for Christ.

That said, I want to now look at the other possible view/path Generation Next could choose.

Like I mentioned, it’s a radical direction for most of you.  You might have to ask Satan to remove his hands from covering your eyes for a moment….

Picture this….

From the birth of their kids, our future Pastors and World Leaders, Christian parents teach their kids facts about the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus.

(I know radical for you.  Especially since you have no quality info on the subject yourself… )

As such, nationwide, a New Generation is intensively studying Christian apologetics, the defense of their Faith.  Imagine the global aftershocks of such focus!

Instead of kids becoming followers of Jesus simply because they have been brainwashed into it by well-meaning, but guilt tripping parents, friends, Pastors, Christian concert, etc…

… kids are taught hard core facts based on intelligence and proof.

Let’s say these kids are passionately armed with the ability to prove the validity of the Bible, and to use scientific evidence to show an Intelligent Designer created all things…

Wow!

Then, we send this generation worldwide to learn how to share their knowledge.

And to let them sharpen their skills as followers of Christ while they confront Christless cultures…

God would be able to work through them in reaching people who do not have the Holy Spirit living in their hearts, who do not know Jesus as their personal Lord and Savior.   Basically, people who are currently on a collision course with Hell.

Can you imagine a New Generation of 5-8 million youth empowered by God, educated about God, and sent by God fearing Churches to all nations and people groups!

As such, Christian kids have a purpose.  They have a reason for being.  Life is more than gimmee, gimmee, gimmee and video games and TV and “tolerance” and making Mommy and Daddy happy.

Through the power of the Holy Spirit, this New Generation will interact with culture worldwide, and they will grow deeper in love with Jesus.

What If All Generation Next Christian Teens Focused on Impacting the World for Christ Just as Much as This Player Is Focused on Impacting This Tennis Ball?

Persecution will come, as promised in the Bible, and Generation Next will become sharper and more powerful and reach a level of life they were designed for.

I know.  Many of you overprotective, Christian “hover parents” are pretty much freaking out by now and are feeling “uncomfortable” with this.

But, deep down you know I’m right.

About 3 months ago the father of a top female 16 year old player from S. California wanted me to start coaching his daughter full time.

This girl is currently coached by a couple of the USA’s top coaches, really famous guys.  So, I was flattered.

She is an amazing up and coming tennis star.

I told Dad I’m not currently taking new students, but to tell me what’s going on.

The problem is, according to Dad, her current coaches have no idea how to keep the world from infecting her, and they may be part of the problem.

Already, she is experimenting with alcohol… and Dad is concerned about the friends she is choosing.  And her tennis level is dropping… fast.

Definitely a common theme here in America, as well as Australia and Canada.

That’s where I come in.

Anastasia Kharchenko Returns Serve in a Florida Super Series Junior Championship. She Lost Just 2 Games the Whole Tournament! Passion, Commitment, and Dedication to Excellence Will Make Anastasia an Incredible Christian Missionary On and Off the Tennis Court.

I coach at the elite level needed to maintain and add value to the already great job her current coaches are doing.

But, unlike Godless mentors, I am trained and prepared to cut through and get rid of the worldly satanic crap infesting her thoughts.

I am used by God to give the kids (and parents) their lives back and to show them a higher purpose.

I know how totally without Christ is the global tennis industry.

And I am completely aware that “Christian-Tennis Coach” is an oxymoron.

I have seen Satan completely and totally destroy the lives, hopes, dreams, and Faith of kids worldwide.  I know Satan owns tennis.

Satan and I are locked face to face in a life and death stare down for today’s youth.

I would love to now give you an amazing story of how this girl’s life changed.  I can’t, though.

I never even got to meet her.

As I talked to her Dad, I told him he was the main problem.

I told him he is a wimpy Christian and it’s hurting his kid.

Even though his own Dad was a pastor… even though he grew up in a Godly home… even though he was a respected business professional… it was easy to see he struggles with being a “hover parent”, and a “churchy” Christian who struggles with control issues, places God in a box, and is unwilling to authentically let the girl go and grow.

He agreed.  And he appreciated the brutal honesty.

Leap to Smash an Overhead. Go For It! Give It Your All! Some Balls Will Hit the Net. Some Balls Will Go Long. Yet, Soon You Will Know How to Use the Weapon. Parents... Kids Can Do Missions and Change the World for Christ. Let Them Compete!

I then invited the player to travel with our ICTA Women’s Pro Tennis Team to ITF Pro Circuit tournaments in the USA.

It would give her a chance to hit with better players, hangout with Christians, compete with the world’s top juniors and dozens of WTA ranked pros, and experience a Christian outreach mission trip.

He loved the idea.

We worked on a potential schedule where she would attend a few tournaments in the USA, then travel internationally.  He kept loving the idea.

We discussed his need to back off and be less dominant in her tennis.  He 100% agreed it was important and wanted to change.

Yet, she never came.  I never met her.

As the time for commitments came, he began to feel “uncomfortable” and felt if God was truly involved and if God truly approved of it all, then he should have an “inner peace.”

Inner peace!?  Inner peace!!?  Are you serious!!?

Obviously, Dad didn’t know about Jesus sweating blood before He was to be arrested and crucified.  Or the pain Mary must have felt as her baby boy was being slaughtered…

… or the despair of aloneness and abandonment Jesus expressed as his life faded.

Inner peace!?  All Christian activities have to give everyone warm fuzzies and “inner peace”?  What an idiot.

I basically just let Dad wishy-wash himself away, and I moved on to Christians who don’t still wear diapers and continue to breast feed…

My question to this Dad and to others like him is…

“I wonder how Paul’s ‘inner peace’ felt as he was shipwrecked and floating in the ocean on a piece of wood?”

“What about his ‘inner peace’ when he was beaten and stoned?”

“Or, when Jesus’ disciples were eventually crucified… or ran through with a spear… or beheaded… or stoned… I wonder how “comfortable” they felt.”

Anastasia Kharchenko Loaded to Strike. To Hit World Class You Have to Focus on Seeing the Ball. A Christian Not Focused On Christ Is Competing Blind and Has Already Lost.

This actually gets to the heart of the problem.

We don’t have many people left who are interested in being crucified with Christ. (Galations 2:20)

Like Peter, they follow Christ.

But, when pressure comes, they run to their comfort zones of denial.  Regardless of what they know is right, the Cross terrifies them.

If wimp Dad can’t even let his kid go on a mission trip in safe middle America to compete in a tennis tournament… and Dad was invited to come to!!!… then what the crap?

It’s pretty sad.

And, unfortunately it’s infected our soon to be Pastors and Christian Leaders rising out of Generation Next.

We are stuck with wimpy, pathetically uneducated in Christian apologetics, thus unmotivated, “Christians” who claim to follow Jesus, yet have little evidence of it in their lives.

What hacks me off is this weak brand of Jesus Freak will soon be in charge of shepherding the Church.

And, if that happens, forget about the Great Commission.

And forget about preaching Jesus crucified.  Forget about preaching about Sin, or Hell, or demonic warfare.

Forget about mentioning the power of the blood of Christ which guaranteed the defeat of a pathetically weak and defeated Satan.

Pastors nationwide today are already passionlessly working to not offend anyone!  They are already being beaten up and controlled by lost congregations sitting in the pews, of which, according to Jesus parable about the sower, a possible 75% are not truly Saved.

Weak preachers, selfish parents, thoughtless TV and internet, “tolerance” of horrific sins as a lifestyle… wake up you morons!  Move your feet and look at the ball!  You look like idiots, not players.

If we are going to compete in the Slams, we need to develop world class players!!

We have got to reach Generation Next with the same passion that ignited the early Church.

Generation Next Needs Passionate Examples of Faith Being Lived Out. Are You Passionate?

Generation Next is the harvest field of harvest fields.

What would happen if today’s generation of tweeners and teens realized they could make a difference in the world?

Ok, yes, I get it.  Things aren’t supposed to get “better.”

The Bible teaches it’s going to get worse down here.  Persecution of Christians is going to max out as we near the tie break in the 5th.

I’ve read the studies which show more followers of Jesus have been martyred in the last 18 months than in all of history, since Christ rose from death, combined.

I can see, like everyone else, that the match is soon ending.

So what?

Blend in to avoid persecution!?  Literally, Hell no.

We are not called to blend in.  We are not called to wimp out.

We are called to preach Christ crucified.  So, quit whining and shut up about how hard life is.

Quit complaining.  Realize what a Christian is.  Hunger for knowledge of all things Jesus.  Reach out to the world by preaching Christ crucified.

Shut up, stand up, grow up, and show up!

Look in the mirror….

When envisioning the Roman use of the Cross, do you deny your adoration of Jesus?

Are you simply a McChristian basically looking for a “feel good” Happy Meal religion?

Or are you a child of the living God sharing in the Lord’s Supper as a member of the Body of Christ while serving as a Crucified Saint in following His will for your life during the vapor of existence you have been granted?

Make your choice.  Where do you stand?

God bless,

Coach Scotty

International Christian Tennis Association

Sights from Lexington Challenger (Click Pic Up to 2 Times!)

ICTA Live Journal presents…

Scott Paschal at Airport

Hello there!  This is Scott Paschal, President of International Christian Tennis Association, letting you know that…

ICTA Pro Team Outreach is invading Lexington, Kentucky for Christ during an awesome $100,000 ITF Pro tournament!  We are hosting a pro player outreach and a tennis fan outreach.

Additionally,  ICTA Academy’s Anastasia Kharchenko is playing in the tournament’s qualifying draw and is keeping a daily journal for you to read!  ICTA’s Pro Team Co-Captain, formerly WTA ranked Melody Snelen, and myself will also contribute! (scroll down)

Many of you have asked about what we do during ICTA Pro Team outreaches.  Well, we want you to come along with us and see the awesome opportunity for ministry at pro tennis events.

You asked for it… and now you’ve got it!!

Will add pics and video, too, as time and internet access allows!

God bless,

Scott Paschal

Founder, International Christian Tennis Association

Basic tournament info…

ICTA Academy's Anastasia Kharchenko Forehand

What: $100,000 professional USTA tennis tournament with equal prize money for both men and women participants. This is one of only three tournaments in the world that holds this distinction.

What is the USTA Pro Circuit?

The USTA has 94 tournaments throughout the country and prize money ranging from $10,000 to $100,000, the USTA Pro Circuit is the pathway to the US Open and tour-level competition for aspiring tennis players and a frequent battleground for established professionals. On average, more than 1,100 men and women from 79 countries compete on the USTA Pro Circuit annually for more than $3 million in prize money and valuable ATP and WTA Tour ranking points.

Supplemental Events include: Junior Pro-Am presented by Lexington Tennis Club, Commerce Lexington Business Link, Wheelchair Clinic and Exhibition, Tops in Lex Pro-Am, and free Hispanic Youth Clinic.

When: July 21-27, 2008

Where: Hilary J. Boone Tennis Complex – University of Kentucky – Lexington, KY

ICTA Pro Team, Friends, and Tournament Competition

Daily ICTA Pro Tennis Team Live Journal Entries:

Anastasia After Workout

Day 9-10… Anastasia Kharchenko: July 25-26-

I almost cannot believe that it has been such a short time here in Lexington and so much has happened!!! Our mission trip has been AMAZING here.

Girls and guys from all over the world has been reached by our Pro Tennis Team.

And my tennis is sky rocketing. I hit with 8-9 different players from England, Korea, Czech, Brazil, Slovenia, Australia and USA. Wow! And their WTA rankings are: #202, #247, #390, #333, #250…

And some of those girls have been playing Grand Slam qualifiers! How exciting that is. I mean I’ve been watching them play here, studying their styles and their strategies, and then hit with them and practice.

I feel I can beat any of them now!!

Where can you find better opportunities to meet so many internationals? I’ve never hit with that many good players at one tournament before. Tennis brings everybody to one place, so good.

Anastasia Cranking Inside Out Forehand

God has been doing so much in my life here and in other players’ lives too. We gave away Bibles, talked to players, coaches, tournament volunteers and audience. We swap with emails, Facebook… people we meet.

I had a great host home, transportation anywhere I needed to go, nice weather, practice with different players, my team, and my coach. I don’t think I have enough words to describe how great God is and how much He is blessing me.

Because I had my team here, my coach would study me play and other players and then teach me things that I had no clue about.

This tennis is much harder than any junior’s tournament.  And he help me to improve my game in tremendous ways because he is one of few coaches who really understands this level.

ICTA Founder, Scott Paschal, Coaching Anastasia

My coach usually spends much time with his guy players who are young helping them be men and strong players and bold Christian, and does not often able to travel often with me or our Pro Team, so I really appreciate every minute when he is with me on tour.

I had my teammate Melody here with me, too, and she will always make sure that I’ve everything I need or if that is time when me and Scott were on the court and we need something she will get it.

When by yourself you can’t really do as much as when you have your team with you. That’s also why I know that I’m blessed! Big time.

Right now I’m at the Lexington airport and our flight to St. Joseph has been delayed for 2 hours.  Our Pro Team is flying to Atlanta, the Missouri for our last city in our Pro Team Outreach Tour.  First was Atlanta, then Lexington, next St. Joseph.  This is a lot of traveling and much work.

Yesterday, I had my last practice in Lexington with the girl from Brazil. Her name is Maria-Fernanda Alves and she is ranked now 245, and has been ranked as high as 132!!! She played Wimbledon this year.  She is a lefty so I had a good practice set against her. I lost 6/4 and it was very close.

Melody Snelen and Anastasia Kharchenko Picnic After Workouts!

After workout, we were all so hungry so we went straight to our host home to clean up and went to do our routine with little picnic for dinner with great food from Kroger, our favorite grocery store. The weather has been so good the whole entire week and our picnic at Whole Foods was so nice.

Later that day we went to watch men’s quarterfinal match where Amer Delic was playing against Dudi Sela who is # 70 in ATP. The match was great. Dudi Sela won 2/6 7/6 7/5 and he was down 1/5 and 4/6 in tie-breaker and still fought back and won.

Lexington’s Challenger $100,000 men’s and women’s combined tournament is awesome. I had much fun and want to come back next year. This is last journal entry for me here. Thank you for reading and I have hope you can see how much God can do through all of us if we just let Him. God bless you.

Hugs n kisses, Anastasia.

Day 8… Anastasia Kharchenko: July 24 @ 11:47pm-

Another beautiful day! The weather was so good. Just a little bit of sun, mostly cloudy, and no wind at all. I hit today with Petra Rampre, WTA # 380, from Slovenia. I also had my footwork and have been studying some matches.

Melody and Ana with Friends Watching Amer Delic's Match

When I was playing today my practice set I felt like I really finding my game, my style of play. I am learning really who I am as player. That made me so happy and it also builds up the confidence that I was missing lately as I have been ill and had neck injury.

I’m so glad that I have my coach and my teammates here, especially the one like Scotty and Melody. This tournament have really taught me a lot, but a lot of those things I’ve learned because of my team being here, supporting me, and pointing out the things that I cannot see myself from my view. It is so important to have a team and accountability. So many girls traveling alone.

Anastasia Kharchenko w Presley

We left the courts sometimes around 3 o’clock and went to eat lunch. Me and Scott were starving! But after lunch we felt so much better;) Later we went back to the house all had our showers and a little nap time.

Sometimes around 5:30pm we have decided to go to T.J. Maxx which is a discount clothing store and just look around while Scott worked on emails at Panera.

So while Scott was working me and Mel were looking around stores. At 7:30pm we were ready for dinner and surely we followed our fun routine of driving to Kroger grocery store, and we had our picnic as we usually do.

I felt pretty sleepy afterwards, but still when we got home I had my strengthening workout for my arms. Right now I’m all ready to go to bed because tomorrow I will have two hittings and one them will be

Ana Hitting Backhand in Main Draw Doubles

with Petra and 2^nd one will be with girl from Brazil. Her name is Maria-Fernanda Alves. And she is #6 seed in Main Draw.

My list of hitting partners keeps growing;)

The more girls I get to know the more chances for me to become their friends and share my faith with them!:) Good night.

Hugs n kisses, Anastasia

Ana and Doubles Partner, Ye-Ra Lee (WTA #202) from Korea in Main Draw (click pic)

Day 7… Anastasia Kharchenko: July 23 @ 10:05pm-

Today was such a beautiful day! We slept in because it was raining really hard. But by the 9 o’clock you couldn’t really see that it actually had been raining.

I went to do my footwork and other stuff that I usually have on my workout list. By the time I’ve finished we all were ready to go to have some lunch.

Melody had her practice at 1 o’clock and I had mine at 2. We got there just on time, and my main draw doubles match was scheduled for 3:30, so we had plenty of time to get ready and warm up. I think my doubles match had started little bit later than scheduled time but it still was very nice and beautiful weather! So sunny and little breeze. Me and Lee Ye-ra were playing against two really good players and our match was very close and fun to play. Even thought we lost, I still had a lot of fun.

After the match my coach, Scott, showed me some stuff that I really needed to hear and see to help me play better. I’m typically never was a doubles player but doubles are so good for singles or even just by itself! So today Scott pointed at my court positioning and it hasn’t been right for doubles at all but now I know what to do and I’m gonna work on it in my next matches!

Ana Covering Net (click pic)

During my match Melody met her old friend who does line judging and they haven’t seen each other in last 2 years! Scotty got to talk to her to and I really think that God had placed her there on purpose because she had some troubles in her life and didn’t know what to do. But after talking to Scott and Mel she looked very inspired and happy!!! That was a meeting God set up for her!!. That’s why He is God of all creations!!

After we finished at the courts,  we purchased our dinner at Kroger and enjoyed eating together at Whole Foods on the outdoor tables!  And then we went to walk around the new mall to check out some stores. But mostly me and Mel shopped, Scotty had a really good nap on the comfy mall couches;)  He doesn’t like shopping like we do.

And right now we are about to get ready for bed because me and Mel have our workouts set up at 11 o’clock tomorrow with great players. Good night! Hugs and kisses, Anastasia

ICTA Academy's Melody Snelen and Ana Kharchenko Relaxing in Lexington (click pic)

Day 6… Anastasia Kharchenko: July 22 @ 11:50pm-

Hello! We have had a really fun day today;) I got up at 8:30 and did my footwork. After I finished had some stomach and back exercises done. I cleaned up and we went to have some breakfast. Around 11:30 I was at the courts because I had to sign in for doubles before 12. I hang around the courts, watched some matches, talked to some girls…just had fun with it.

As I’ve find out later I’m playing tomorrow in Main Draw!! My partner is from Korea. The girl that I hit with on Friday. Her name is Ye-ra Lee, WTA #202. We are playing tomorrow against two American girls: Lauren Albanes and Allen Will. Because I have been hitting for several days in the row I had my day off from hitting today resting my shoulder.

Sometime around 3 o’clock my coach, Scotty, picked me and Melody up from tournament and we went straight to our favorite grocery store, Kroger, and I had my sushi for lunch;) After we ate we went to see the movie-“Journey to the center of the Earth”. And it was very fun show. We were laughing a lot!

When we finished we went to the courts to watch some matches..I also needed my racquet to be restrung because the strong did so bad job, so I gave my racquet for stringing and I told the stringer how bad was the stringing job that he has done for me earlier before. He didn’t believe me at 1^st but then in little bit he finally admitted that he actually dropped 5 lbs from the tension that I ask him for. I was very upset and wonder why he didn’t tell everyone he would do that!!!

The Men's Tournament Was Amazing!

But as we finished with teaching stringer to stop changing tensions of strings, we went to watch matches. And Xavier Malisse was playing against Scoville Jenkins today! Me and Mel had the closest seats you can get! Right there almost on the court! That was so cool to see them play that close. Xavier won today in straight sets 7/5 6/1. During match, Mel went to talk to a top guy pro player who she knows, but I won’t mention his name, but maybe tomorrow she gives him a Bible!!!

After they finished we left because it was getting late and we didn’t have anything for dinner yet. And guess where did we go to for dinner? Kroger? That’s right! We had some turkey and salad tonight outside at tables on beautiful night. As we finished we talked about how beautiful the day was and the sky was gorgeous! It had different colors. Later we got back and right now we are about to go to bed. I am excited about doubles tomorrow. Good night, Anastasia

Anastasia and Nicola Frankova, WTA #335, After a Great Practice

Day 5… Anastasia Kharchenko: July 21@ 10:02pm-

I felt I have slept like a rock last night I got up at 10 o’clock today, started moving a little bit and then had my breakfast. At 11am I went outside and started doing my footwork and some jumps on jump rope. After I’ve finished I cleaned up and sometimes around 1 o’clock I had my lunch.

At 2:30 we all went to the courts because I had a practice set up with Nikola Frankova, the girl from Czech Mel gave the Bible. I also had recognized that I had played her in quarterfinals of 16U European Championships in 2004!! We have picture from then and now new one!! At this tournament I got to hit with 6 different players already!

We had a really good practice and Scotty was coaching me and pointing out at things that I need to work on. It was really good and I am glad when he can come to tournaments which is not a lot as he spends most of his time with his junior guys developing them on and off court.

Scott Paschal with Anastasia Kharchenko, and Nicola Frankova from Czech

After we finished Scotty and me went to watch some men’s matches. Amer Delic (#145 ATP) was playing against a guy from Brazil. And also Brendon Evans ( #177 ATP) was playing Brian Koniecko, a wild card. So I got a chance to watch them and study their strategies and strokes motions. And Scotty was there to show me more stuff because he can see much more then I do.

I was also amazed at all the people Scotty knows here, the players and coaches. After that we went to clean up and around 6:30 we went to our grocery store with Melody and got some food. That has became like our little routine here.

As we finished we went to sporting goods store to look for some shoes but didn’t find any that would work for us. And after that

Nicola Frankova Serving to Ana Kharchenko

we just went back to the host home and getting ready to go to bed cause we are so tried and all days so fullJ God is AWESOME. Kisses n Hugs, Anastasia

Day 4… Anastasia Kharchenko: July 20@ 11pm-

Today I slept in because my match was later in the day. Sometimes around 9:30am I started moving around. Had my breakfast and in little bit we left. At noon I called to the tournament site and asked how’s the matches are doing on my court. At 1 o’clock we already were there.I started my warm up. Jogging and then stretching. After, I hit with Melody for about 15 minutes.

And around 2:30pm  I have started my match. I played Kristy Miller and she was playing today a very good game. I lost 6/3 6/2.  The match was very close and she played better than me today.

During my match Scott and Mel met a girl from Czech Republic and her name is Nikola Frankova about WTA #340. Scott really felt that God was telling him that she needs a Bible. So Melody got one for her. Usually people from her country getting very angry when they see the Bible but she took it. And was very grateful. That was really cool. She also talked with Melody for about 30 minutes!!!  So cool!!!

After my match, Scott have decided to work on my serve. As we were serving a girl from Australia came up to us and asked if I wanted to hit?  Her was Nancy Ferguson.  She is beginner pro level.  While were playing some guys were hitting on the next court to us.

Scott Paschal Teaching Ana Kharchenko During Practice Match

One of them came up to Melody and started talking.  Then Scotty came up there as well and gave him a Bible. He introduced himself and his name was Dudi Sela.  He is from Israel and he ranked #70 in ATP ranking!

What a great opportunity to reach the guy that high ranked and he is Jewish!!!

God is great about timing and setting up things!:)

We were there for awhile and in little bit we had to start getting ready to leave because the club was about to be closed. As we left we went back to our host home. Had our showers and went to eat.  In the last couple of days we have been going to this grocery store called Kroger and they have some really good stuff.  Like fried chicken, sushi… So I had my sushi for dinner and it was so good!:)

After we ate we drove to the movie theatre to see if they had any tickets left for new Batman.And they did!!! YEAH! So we got to watch this really good movie! If you haven’t watched that yet –you got to see!It’s so good. As we finished we went straight home and we went to bed as soon as we got a chance.

God has done some really incredible works through us today and so special.  Hugs n kisses, Anastasia

ICTA Academy's Pro Team Members, Ana and Mel, Showing Bibles (in magazine format) to Give Away During Outreach!

Day 3… Anastasia Kharchenko: July 19 @ 9:10pm-

Today, I got up at 8:15am and started getting ready. I Had a really BIG breakfast, definitely was getting ready for a long day. Me and Melody had our 1st workouts at 10 o’clock today and so we called our transportation in and they picked us up just at right time for us to be there to warm up and start hitting.

I was hitting today with WTA #390, Petra Rampre, as I’ve mentioned it yesterday. We had a really good workout, our score was 3 all and we ran out of our time. Wanted to continue but didn’t have any courts available. Still it was a good hour hitting and getting to spend time with her.  She is so funny.

Afterwords, Melody and I went to the players lounge. We had our lunch and some relaxing time there. Sometimes around 2 o’clock my coach Scott got in and the minute he saw me he knew that I hadn’t been drinking enough fluids. I also mentioned that I didn’t have much energy. So he made me drink 4 full 16 oz cups of semi-sweet tea at Chick Fil A and eat lunch and in little I started feeling better .

Mel and Ana at Host Home Preparing Gifts to Players During Outreach

I went to my court at 3 o’clock to train with Jennifer Elie, WTA #460. We’ve played before a year ago in Mexico and she beat me pretty bad, 6-1, 6-1. But today I our finishing score was 6/3 1/1 and I was very excited about how much I’ve improved since the last time I played her.

And I think I played really bad today from my injury, too.  I can’t wait to be 100% healthy!!!

The men’s tournament has already started today so there is a lot of matches was going on. I saw a lot of players from USTA tennis magazines, and Amer Delic has been hitting today twice. Also a lot of girls were coming in today. Some like Uberoi sisters, Gaby Paz, Lauren Albanese… All of the courts were packed with great players.

When my coach came in he rented a car so we went to the mall today and had our dinner at nice burrito place. Yumee:) Also me and Melody has gotten some Dipping Dots for dessert:) We wanted to see the movie that just came out- “Batman. The Dark Knight” but all the tickets were sold out:( So we just walked around a sport store, and then went home.

I’m playing tomorrow 4th match after 10 o’clock so it is going to be later in the day. My opponent is Kristi Miller. She got the wild card and is a great player. I think I could normally beat her, but now I am recovering from injury so she has strong advantage. I think I might play doubles with Lee, who I said before is about 200 WTA.

I will keep you updated about tomorrow;) Good night! Hugs and kisses, Anastasia

Mel and Ana Arriving for Morning Warmup

Day 2… Anastasia Kharchenko:  July 18 @ 11:20pm-

Today, I didn’t want to wake up at all!!! My bed is so soft and cushioning and I have been so tired from travel… But I had to because I had my 1st workout at 10am and I needed to start walking around at least at 8, so my body will start waking up…

Had my breakfast even though didn’t feel very hungry, but I knew that I had to eat a lot since I had a big day coming up!!! I got to the courts and from very early in the morning I saw all those amazing players warming up and stuff, and all of those players were from all over the world!!! Couldn’t wait for Melody and Scott to get here, so we can start to give away all the Christian materials!!!!:))) COME ON!!!

I was hitting with the girl from Korea I mentioned yesterday. Her name is Lee and she is ranked 201 WTA!!! She is #4 in main draw at this tournament!!! I had so much fun hitting because what a great opportunity to hit with such a good player!!! I really enjoyed our hitting and I had a chance to compare myself to her When we had to leave the court, she was winning in our match 6-2, 3-2 and I felt great about my game as it was close but she has more experience which I am getting now.

Mel and Ana At Host Home

As we finished, I started looking for another girl to hit with and I’ve found a girl named Georgi Stoop. She is from Great Britain and ranked WTA 254… . We had an awesome workout!!! Just today I got to hit with two girls that are ranked in 200s!!! As I finished my workout I saw Amer Delic walking on the court for practice, and there is lots of other players here that are ranked high!!!

After workout, I felt very hungry, as usual, and was so excited for Melody to come, because she was supposed to fly in today As I was doing my stretches, the girl named Petra Rampre who is ranked 390 and is #1 qualy player came to to me and asked if I wanted to hit tomorrow morning, so tomorrow I will hit with another great player!!!WOOHOO!!! Because I felt so good today during hitting it makes me more and more excited to play all these players!!! So cool;)

In little bit my host mom picked me up and I went back to the house for showers and stuff. We were getting ready to go have something for dinner. We ate at the very nice place, and then we drove straight to the airport to pick up Melody!!! And yes,we got her and so now our Christian team has gotten stronger )))

Tomorrow it’s gonna be even more strong because my coach, Scott, is coming in! And so I will be able to see more things and learn more because he sees more. And he will point out a lot of things for me to be able to see then as well;)))) So we got Melody and right now we are about to go to our extremely comfy beds. We will have another fun day tomorrow, so we need a lot of energy!!! Hugs and kisses, Anastasia

Me at the host home's computer

Day 1… Anastasia Kharchenko; July 17 @ 9:21pm-

I got up at 5 in the morning. And it was pretty tough because for the last couple days I haven’t really slept much because of travel, so i just took a nap and got ready to go the next tournament/mission trip.

Melody drove me to the airport and she also hasn’t been sleeping much lately, too. But we are very flexible and really like to keep going on and on,plus it’s such a big tournament,so that really gave me a lot of extra energy!!! 50.000$ tournament plus with Men’s tournament in the same time!!! Very excited!!!

Me Watching Players Hit

As we were driving to Daytona airport it was raining very hard, so we were thinking about some delays on the flight, but as we got to the airport it stopped raining and the sky had gotten very light and blue! My check in went very fast and easy, so I just sat at the gate for awhile, got to read couple of chapters from acts (one of the books in the Bible) and in little bit I got on the plane.

It wasn’t very big one, so it didn’t take much time for it to fill up. But as were getting ready to take off our flight attendant made an announcement about our short delay for 30 minutes… I was fine with it because I was ready to take a nap, and the longer my flight is the more time I have for my nap ))

As the plane got to Atlanta,GA,  we actually weren’t that much behind our schedule, maybe only 10-15 minutes… And as usual, I went to the concourse “A” to have my breakfast at Chick-Fil-A!! I love Chickin Biscuits ))) I had to eat my chicken biscuit on the plane to Lexington, but still I had my biscuit!

Host Home's Cute Pets!!

The lady next to me was very nice, and also she wasn’t sleeping, so i got a chance to talk to her, and to share my faith in Jesus. Her name was Julia and she was from Lexington. When we got off the plane. she gave me business card and said that I can call her if I need anything.

As I got to the luggage claim I started making calls to the tournament people and in just 10 minutes I already was picked up and girl named Blair got me to the courts. There I met tournament director and she gave me more phone numbers to host home people.

I got pretty hungry because when you are tennis player you usually hungry 24/7!!! And there was only one place that I could go to, but as I went there it was closed… So, I had to be hungry for a while, but I’ve learned my lesson and I know that next time I wil definitely bring something with me! I wanted to go take a nap so bad, but I couldn’t because there wasn’t really place to lay your head at. But at 3 o’clock I had my practice with Kristy Frilling and it was pretty good. Felt sleepy at first, but as i got to to baseline there was no thoughts about sleep anymore! Just give me more tennis balls !:)

I have no idea how this happened!!!!

As we were hitting, I saw some Korean girls, so I asked one of them if she wanted to hit tomorrow morning and she said yes!!! Great, new girl to hit with!!!:)))  After our hitting we decided to go somewhere to eat, and because Kristy drove here from Ohio we actually could go and EAT!!!! We went to some place close by, and had dinner there!!! To me it was more like lunch:)))

As we got back my host mom got there to pick me up. Took me to the grocery store, so I could show her what I like to eat and stuff. When we got home I was so exhausted that my 1st priority was shower and then bed….

My host family is great, and my bed is so comfy! Good night! Hugs and kisses, Anastasia

Anastasia Kharchenko's Challenger Collage (Click Pic Up to 2 Times!)

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Melody Snelen:  July 21-28

Monday the 21^st. I really wanted to hit today, but since my body has to build back up to handle intense workouts, I had to rest. I did get to watch some pro men’s matches and learn! They hit the ball so HARD and

Melody Snelen After Workout

try for everything!! More junior players need to watch how these pros don’t quit!

Ana hit with Nikola Frankova. They had a good practice. Scott was there to help Ana’s game improve more. I watched and helped my teammate and coach when needed.

Teams are so important! Much more can be accomplished when supporting each other. Later on in the day I was able to do a stomach workout to help strengthen my body back up. I really enjoy exercising!!

On Wednesday Ana played her main draw doubles match. I’m really glad Ana and her doubles partner Ye-Ra Lee got in! They were alternates and made it =) Yea! They played their opponents close but lost 6-3, 6-3.

Melody Snelen Serve

Immediately following the match, Scott went over court positioning and strategies with Ana for her to use next time she plays doubles.

After Ana’s match I ran into a friend I hadn’t seen in about 2 years! It was really good seeing her and catching up. She’s now a line umpire and working her way up. We had talked about a lot of different issues. Something we talked about was how there is SOOO much sexual abuse in tennis (especially towards girls).

This abuse is running ramped through the sport at all levels! Nowadays if you want to be a school teacher or child-care worker you have to have a back round check

Nice form!

… but you can be a tennis teaching professional and you are free and clear from that requirement. Let’s just say things are gonna have to change to see the innocent protected. My friend wants to do more, as do I, regarding this issue. I feel God had us run into each other for a reason.

On Friday I joined Ana in the morning for her footwork workout. Though intense, it’s actually really fun! As long as exercises aren’t boring I could go all day =) Went to the courts and Scott took Ana and I through a specialty workout with the sponge ball!

I watched the evening mens match between Amer Delic vs. Dudi Sela with Ana and Scott. It was a great match!

Dudi was down a set and about 3 or more match points and fought till he won that set and the whole match! It shows how in tennis you can never ease up, even if you have match points! And you can never be too far behind to come back and win! It’s so important to stay focused all the way through until the last ball is hit! Tennis is such an exciting and intense sport =)

Melody with Presley at Host Home

Saturday morning we started packing up to make it the airport in time for our flight. We have been really blessed with the hosts we’ve had, and their wonderful hospitality. Not to mention I’m really going to miss those cute little doggies! =)

We made it to the airport in time but our flight was delayed. That gave Ana and I time to play cards, read, meet another player also leaving today on our flight and to eat =)

Now we are off to St. Joseph, MO on an another awesome mission trip adventure…. St Joseph is the place where the wild west got started! =)

Melody Snelen: July 18-20:

I flew out of Daytona Beach, Florida on Friday the 18^th headed for Lexington, Kentucky to met up with my teammate, Anastasia Kharchenko.

Sco

Melody and Ana Preparing Bibles for Distribution to Players and Coaches

tt and Rach took me to the airport. I had a 4 hour layover in Atlanta. The layover gave me plenty of time to make some phone calls I’ve been wanting to make and to read.

On my flight to LEX I was reading my Bible and the man sitting next to me was curious as to what I was underlining. That gave me the opportunity to share Jesus with him! I gave him a gospel of John book. He was thankful.

When I got to LEX, Ana and our host, Stephanie, were already there to pick me up! It was good to see them! When went to the house and got settled in. Our host family has 2 precious little doggies!! I don’t know how people live without pets…God’s creations =)

ICTA Academy's Pro Team Members, Ana and Mel, Showing Bibles (in magazine format) to Give Away During Outreach!

On the 19^th I was able to practice twice to get back into the swing of hitting. I’ve been doing a lot of bookkeeping (and other “stuff”) which has kept me at a desk and inside more than on a court so it’s GREAT to be here!

My coach, Scott Paschal, arrived today and rented a car which will help a lot!

At 3pm I signed in for the tournament as an alternate (I hadn’t entered the tournament because I wasn’t sure I would be coming).

Went to the mall and to eat! I love eating =) We were going to see a the new Batman movie but it was sold out for the whole night!

The 20^th Ana didn’t play till 4^th match on after 10am so we got to have a slow morning. I hit with Ana before she played to warm her up. Scott was there to give her the last bit of coaching advice before she played!

While Ana was playing things got exciting for me, not because Ana was playing tough a strong player, although that was cool, but because I was able to give a Bible to a girl from Czech who’s playing the tournament.

I got to tell her how the Bible is about Jesus, and how the Bible is archaeologically accurate therefore what it says is also accurate! =) She seemed receptive. I love being able to share the INCREDIBLE news of Jesus and what he did to save mankind. His love for us and his saving GRACE is something I DO NOT want to just keep to myself!

Mel Forehand

Ana ended up coming up short in her match, Scott took her out to a court to start working on some things that needed attention. I was watching and observing. Some guys playing the tournament were on the adjacent court.

One of the guys who’s from Israel started talking with me. Scott was on the court coaching and said I should give him a Bible.

Melody Snelen Swinging Volley

The player accepted it, I sure hope he reads it because he’ll get to learn of the Jewish Messiah the Old Testament  (Torah) predicted (prophesied) would come to save us all! This has been a successful day!

We went to a grocery store for our dinner then ate at some outdoor tables. The evenings are beautiful here! I enjoyed feeding bread crumbs to some little sparrows nearby =)

Next we went to see Batman! It was a really interesting movie! I just had a hard time watching it as the actor Heath Ledger who played the Joker, recently killed himself =( It gets me wondering whether or not he accepted Jesus as his Savior.

That’s all for now! Nite, Melody

ICTA Pro Team Co-Caption, Melody Snelen in Lexington! (Click Pic Up to 2 Times)

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Scott Paschal; July 19@ 10pm-

Scott Paschal at Airport

I’m here in Bluegrass Country!

The flight this morning was good. Daytona Beach to Atlanta to Lexington. Rented a car from Hertz and met Anastasia and Melody at the University of Kentucky’s fantastic tennis complex.

Ana looked wiped out. I couldn’t tell if she was nervous about the tournament, dehydrated, or what. As she had another practice match coming up and hadn’t eaten in a few hours, we drove to Chick Fil A to get chicken sandwiches.  She guzzled four 16oz sweet teas… so I guess she was dehydrated!

I think she was getting nervous nervous about her match tomorrow, too, because she was really tight during her workout with Jennifer Elie.

Elie had beaten Ana pretty easily in Mexico about a year ago. I think the score was 6-1, 6-1. Today was much different as it was 6-3, 1-1 when they had to stop. Ana played pretty poorly and still competed well, so that was positive.

Mel had a great workout with Mcall Jones, one of America’s top juniors. I spent my time watching them both and visiting with people, some of whom I’ve know for around 6-7 years.

Several of the umpire are ICTA members. It was good to see them. Neha Uberoi and Marcus Fugate are two of the players I’ve known for a long time. It was good to speak with them. Marcus is really maturing and is impressive on and off court.

I also scouted the facility to see the best places to give away Bibles and Christian tracts. I have full access to just about everywhere here, so all should go well. So many players at these tournaments simply don’t have a Bible. And not a church in sight even thinks to offer any! Lots of church people are so excited to go to Africa or China, but are basically idiots about local missions. So annoying….

Tomorrow, Anastasia plays Kristi Miller, who was given a Wild Card. Kristi is a great player and is tearing up the circuit right now. She and Ana are close in ability level. Ana has been ill lately, and has also had a neck injury she suffered during a match to Rossi in Hilton Head, SC… so I’d have to give a definite edge to Miller tomorrow.

Ana is still swinging the racket very tentatively compared to normal. I think she has another month or so until she is healthy and strong and confident. That said, she has already done very, very well this year and has exceeded all expectations.

For those of you asking, I’m doing well. Had some heart problems, again, recently. Stuff I inherited that is manageable, but not particularly fun and predictable. I could probably stand to drop 20 lbs or so, but that wouldn’t necessarily help my situation too much. My Grampa has the same heart problem… and he’s going to be 90 in March.

Time for bed. Our host home is very nice and comfortable. I am really looking forward to talking with players and coaches tomorrow!! Keep us in your prayers!!  God bless!  Scotty

Scott Paschal:  July 18 @ 8:25pm- Anastasia left yesterday from Daytona Beach to Lexington.  She was wiped out after our long drive back from Atlanta the evening before.  She took a nap at night and then caught a 6am flight!  I slept in, since Melody took Anastasia to the airport.  Melody Snelen left this morning to Lexington.  She is on the plane from Atlanta to Lexington as I write.

The host home family we are staying with will pick her up and she can get some much needed rest.  I’m packing tonite and will leave in the morning.  Should arrive early afternoon at the tournament site.  Anastasia has already been able to hit with two of the top 6 women entered in the tournament.  I’m excited to coach Ana in Lexington.  She has grown so much in so many ways.  Mel and I will offer Christian books and tracks to players and fans.  Hope to begin this tomorrow afternoon.  That’s it for now.  Will write more tomorrow.  Look for Ana’s updates to be posted tonight or tomorrow morning.  Ciao,  Coach Scotty

Roger Federer is arguably the best tennis player in tennis history.

Without question, Federer has been the best player over the last 4 years. Not only has he been an amazing player, but he is someone who seems in his own way to work hard to be a positive ambassador for the sport.

Ask junior tennis players who they want to be like when they grow up, and you often hear them reply, “Roger Federer!”

As kids, most of us probably had our sports idols. Me, I thought Roger Staubach, the Super Bowl winning quarterback of the Dallas Cowboys was amazing.

But, as I grew older, and hopefully wiser, I’ve come to realize people who compete at a high level in their sport, while achieving fame and fortune, are not necessarily worthy of being role models.

We tend to treat celebrities with a type of reverence. I guess it’s human nature. For some reason we readily give these sports idols the reigns to our life, and the ability to influence our history.

Do you want to know how many top 100 ATP players regularly have sex with multiple partners… nightly!? I can name a couple. Should these men advise your son… or daughter… on life lessons?

Chris is leaving soon to play college and is embarking in a life of Christian ministry. What a treasure and a joy to have had Chris as a part-time academy student, and full time friend, these last 6 years.

I remember a few years ago when Federer split with his coach. He said he didn’t need one. So, kids worldwide decided they, too, didn’t need coaches. To be “cool” they decided they were experienced and aware enough to develop themselves into top 10 ATP or WTA players.

Unfortunately, the kids, and the parents who supported their decision, were wrong. And we have an entire generation of junior tennis players coming up who are woefully underdeveloped.

In addition, this generation of junior player learned to believe they were superior in knowledge to tennis coaches.

As incomes dried up, and reputations were damaged… how many good coaches did we lose to this, both now and in the future?

And from this how many kids were robbed of the mentorship and accountability structure provided by a caring coach? Among the most influential people in my life have been the men of God placed in my life who have taught me not just sports, but have taught me about life.

Sure Federer gave several coaches select roles at certain tournaments for short periods of time, and even had coaches here and there for weeks at a time.  But, that’s not what I’m talking about. I’m concerned that his overall public theme about coaches and mentorship is damaging.

I don’t know where I would have been without my coaches.

Those coaches in and of themselves by their examples and deeds have taught me how to have a relationship with my Creator, and how to live within an accountability structure, and how to plan and achieve goals, and so much more…

So, to the kid who worshiped Roger Federer and dumped his or her coach, I have to ask if they can see now their choice wasn’t such a good one. And to Roger Federer I would ask if he realizes the difficult impact his choice has had on junior tennis development and beyond….

In addition, kids are highly aware Federer isn’t married, yet travels with his girlfriend worldwide, shacking up in hotels and playing married?  Thus, kids believe it’s cool to do the same….

Honestly, I find it hard to believe she is the one who wants to stay unmarried. She has helped him earn millions of $ for years, and obviously loves him.  And Fed  probably doesn’t want a huge, public breakup where she is left with nothing.  Or a “forced” marriage from pregnancy….

Just get married, Fed.

What are your thoughts on this? Is this the message you believe should dominate the hearts and minds of your sons and daughters?

Should sex outside the bonds of marriage be promoted so outspokenly by one of the world’s highest profile athletes? Does this undermine God’s plan for marriage?

Do you feel good about Roger Federer’s highly publicized actions possibly guiding your children away from God’s views on marriage and sex and family?

Sure, he has his foundation which helps people. And without question, he strives to remain humble and approachable. I think we all really, really like him, right?

That said, I’m not questioning his likableness. Nor am I judging him.  I make mistakes and am the first to say I am not a good person.  I am simply asking you if Roger Federer should be an object of your child’s worship.

Or should you work to replace Roger with Jesus in your child’s heart?

Now, as Roger Federer sees his amazing career slowing, what will be his legacy? Sure, he will be known as among the tennis’ best. But, I’m asking what his real legacy will be.

What will be the Kingdom impact he will have for Christ?

If you are an atheist reading this… you probably want to puke.  Understandable. This may seem ridiculous to you.  That’s ok, your belief that nothing created everything seems ridiculous to me, too

Fellowship of Christian Athletes Campus President, Emma Hustad, in Normandy, France w/ ICTA Founder, Scott Paschal, and ICTA Women's Pro Team Captain, Rachel Snelen, during 2007 ICTA foundation-laying outreach to Roland Garros

That said, a big question comes up when I talk with kids. I ask, “Who is your idol?”

I listen to what they have to say. Then, I ask them if they understand their choices in life have a huge impact on the direction and growth and quality of not just their tennis, but their lives. And not just their lives, but the lives of others?

Instead of giving my opinion on who they should idolize, I ask them to look at the Bible for guidance.

Like Roger Federer, Scott Paschal is flawed. I have my daily struggles, and I’m the first to say if God hadn’t guided me into Christian ministry, I have no business being here with my life story.

Additionally, I’m not an expert on what every kid should do. But, I am someone who looks to God’s word when I see something I need to improve in my life. Especially when organizing my life priorities!

That said, a question I ask myself is, “Who or what rules my life?” Is it tennis, family, career, ministry friends…?

What about you?

Who sits on the throne of your life?

Is it Roger Federer or Maria Sharapova? Or someone or something else? If so, let’s take a look at what God’s word says.

Jump Down… Off of Your Throne

“(The people of Tyre and Sidon who had sought an audience with Herod because they had been quarreling with him). On the appointed day King Herod, wearing his royal robes, sat on his throne and delivered a public address to the people. They shouted, ‘This is the voice of a god, not of a man.’ Immediately, because Herod did not give praise to God, an Angel of the Lord struck him down, and he was eaten by worms and died.” Acts 12:21-23 (NIV)

(Pretty gross, huh? Eaten by worms and died! Notice the order here. First eaten, then died. Not too pretty for a King….)

KEY QUESTIONS: “Who or What sits on the throne of your life? What is my priority?”

1. Is it self?

2. Is it success?

3. Is it stuff?

*A Man Called Doubting Thomas

“Jesus said he was going to Bethany and be with Lazarus even though the disciples warned him that some of the Jews tried to take his life the last time He was there). Then Thomas (called Didymus) said to the rest of disciples, let us also go that we may die with him’ .” John 11:16 (NIV)

“Now Thomas (called Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he said to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe it’.” John 20:24-25 (NIV)

1. Didymus means twin.

“Thomas (called Didymus)….”

2. Thomas had the courage to go and die with Jesus.

“…let us go that we may die with him.”

3. Yet Thomas lacked the faith to believe in Jesus. “

…I will not believe it.”

*Our Personal Struggles with Duplicity

“Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify you hearts, you double-minded.” James 4:8

1. In some ways all Christians are two different persons

“I love to do God’s will so far as my new nature is concerned; but there is something else deep within me, in my lower nature, that is at war with my mind and wins the fight and makes me a slave to sin that is still within me. In my mind I want to be God’s willing servant, but instead I find myself still enslaved to sin.” Romans 7:22-23 (LB)

2. Our greatest struggle is within

“So you see how it is: my new life tells me o do right, but the old nature that is still inside me loves to sin.” Romans 7:24a (LB)

3. The danger is falling back to our selfish, carnal nature.

“Oh, what a terrible predicament I’m in! Who will free me from my slavery to this deadly lower nature?” Romans 7:24b (LB)

*Hopping Off of the Throne

“Oh, what a terrible predicament I’m in! Who will free me from my slavery to this deadly nature? Thank God! It has been done by Jesus Christ our Lord. He has set me free.” Romans 7:24-25 (LB)

1. First, I must determine who or what sits on the throne of my life.

“So why do you call me ‘Lord’, when you won’t obey me?” Luke 6:46 (NLT)

2. Then, I must replace whatever is sitting on my throne with Jesus.

“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of man who loved me and gave himself for me.” Galatians 2:20 (NIV)

3. Third, I must determine that Jesus Christ will be all of all of my life.

” Now Thomas (called Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus first appeared to them. So the other disciples told him, ‘We have seen the Lord!’ But he said to them, ‘Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hands into his side, I will not believe it’. A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, ‘Peace be with you!’ Then He said to Thomas, ‘Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.’ Thomas said to Him, ‘My Lord and my God! Then Jesus told him, ‘Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet believed.” John 20:24-29

Closing Thoughts: A Wise Person Once Said…

“If Jesus Christ is not your LORD of ALL He is not your LORD at ALL!!

Can I say something that I think Roger Federer would be the first to agree with?

Federer is just a man, a regular guy with regular struggles. A guy who happens to be a celebrity. He isn’t in any way, shape, or form an answer to or a replacement for… Jesus.

Junior tennis players are a solitary bunch. They seldom benefit from a team atmosphere. Mom and Dad dedicate weekends to tournament travel. Attending church is forgotten. Sunday’s are dedicated for tournament semifinals and finals.

My student, Anastasia Kharchenko, and I spoke to the media/TV daily about Jesus while in Africa. Ana won 11 matches in a row to win 2 ITF Pro Circuit events in 2 weeks, which gave us a large platform to share our faith in Christ.

The family bond is filled with discouragement and pain and envy and emptiness….

I have seen so many divorces, eating disorders, heartaches, etc. caused from Christian families who believe in Jesus, but do not follow Jesus, and have placed tennis as their purpose of worship.

I am well aware of the spiritual battle parents and junior players are entrenched within. As I’m contacted from people worldwide, I work to bring them back to a singular focus on Jesus, the Jesus of the Bible, with nothing added or taken away. Just Jesus.

Invading my life/house right now, and eating all of my food , are my amazing tennis and missions academy students representing 7 countries. My heartbeat is to teach them to focus on Jesus as their source of purpose.

These kids, and their parents, are a point of encouragement for me as I seek His Kingdom. I treasure this time in my life. Yet, the kids and their families are not what I ground myself in. I strive to base my life in God’s word, to gain Kingdom principles.

Sure, tennis is important. But, tennis is simply the tool God has given us to share our faith and resources. Tennis is not the source of life or happiness. Tennis is just a tool, a Kingdom tool for following the Great Commission as written in Mathew 28 of your Bible.

My prayer is tennis fans and players worldwide would begin to understand the importance of placing Jesus on the throne of their lives. Tennis worshiped is destructive. Tennis as a Kingdom tool is constructive. Jesus must be clearly placed in view and made known as the source of life within your world view.

ICTA Women's Pro Team member, WTA ranked Anastasia Kharchenko, in Africa after winning match. Each precious child received free Christian gifts from ICTA.

When this happens, life begins to come into focus. And you will see your reason.

Roger Federer will soon be gone from the pro tennis scene. Another generation of kids will flock to worship another tennis great.

Federer will be old news to them. His ways, on and off the tennis court, will no longer be relevant.

That said, today please consider who and/or what is guiding your life. Consider the eternal consequences of your choices. Are you choosing to follow a trend? A sports legend? Or Jesus?

On the tennis court, Federer is mighty.

Yet, as amazing as he is as a tennis player, he is simply a person like you and me.

Jesus Christ is the only One worthy of worship.

He is the One that it is an honor to serve.

God bless,

Scott Paschal

International Christian Tennis Association

International Christian Tennis Association headquarters is based in Florida, and pretty near Disney World. During some down time in between ICTA mission trips and academy semesters, we decided to visit Disney Hollywood Studios!

What a great time we all enjoyed.

Pictured here to the right is me and Lindsey (she’s also pictured above pushing me in a wheelchair). Lindsey’s Dad, Kevin (pictured above) is my good friend of many years.

He is a medical doctor, and a solid 5.0 tennis player. I bought him his first Bible. What a privilege.

We are so alike it is ridiculous… same age, same weight, same height. God brought us together years back, and that’s when I met Lindsey! I’ve known her since she was just a little squirt in elementary school….

Now, Lindsey is a full time student at my academy and my house is pretty much a second home for her.

As Kevin and I are so much alike… and since I’ve known Lindsey for so long… I’m basically an adopted uncle.

Honestly, it is such a special honor to be involved in shaping and molding the lives of the next generation.

I know God placed special people in my life when I was a teen, and now it feels awesome to be able to be used by God to give back!

While some of my academy students won’t be here til the summer semester begins in a week or so, several are here and we all enjoyed hanging out together.

Anastasia Kharchenko (on left w/ Melody Snelen) is back home with me getting some rest after many weeks on the ITF Pro Circuit competing in pro tennis tournaments, and serving on the ICTA Women’s Pro Tennis Team.

Ana is my “adopted daughter” from Ukraine and a new Christian. She loves Jesus so much and wants to share her knowledge of Him to other players on the pro tour.

This year, 18 year old Anastasia earned her WTA pro ranking, and won two ITF Pro tournaments. And a week or so ago she played a player ranked around WTA #180 and lost a close one… 6-2, 7-5, which gave her some confidence she can compete at that level.

Currently, Ana is on her way to South Carolina to begin a 6 week tennis and missions tour with the ICTA Women’s Pro Tennis Team that will take them from South Carolina to Texas to Kansas to Boston. Please keep them in your prayers as they seek to share Christ with those placed in their path.

This neat guy is Aussie, a nickname we gave him because he’s from… you guessed it, Australia.

Aussie is awesome! What a special, unique personality he is. Aussie’s dad is a pastor, and they own a farm. I’ve coached Aussie full time for about a year.

He and Mark (Mexico) share a room in my house and have become like brothers. They have certainly formed a bond that will last a lifetime.

Aussie has amazing parents. They love our entire tennis/missions academy program, and are thrilled Aussie has grown in so many wonderful ways. Here is an email they sent me last week…

Hi Scotty,

Thank you so much for your email. Our communication with you is way overdue..sorry! We pray for you all daily. David is missed here also, but know without a doubt that he is where the Lord wants him, knowing he is being very well looked after, challenged and guided in life. Thankyou for all that you are doing for him and each of the others. We love to hear about everyone at ICTA.

We know David has mentioned this to you, but would like to ask if it is OK if his sister, Tish, can come and stay with you for a few days. They will fly into Daytona Beach… Tish is so looking forward to meeting you all – I hope having two Aussies isn’t too stressful for you!!

At your convenience, we would love to hear of David’s on and off-court progress, and any ways we can encourage and guide him from a distance.

Thank you again so much.

God bless you and all you do.
Rich & Eilie

So great to have healthy, solid Christian parents sending such special emails of support. It is incredible for me to realize International Christian Tennis Association is having such a discipleship impact for the Kingdom!

Pictured here is ICTA Women’s Pro Tennis Team captain, Rachel Snelen (left), with “Lucy.”

Lucy’s story is amazing! She came to me not quite a year ago… and she was highly suicidal. Coaches, and life, had treated her pretty horribly.

Boy have things changed! Lucy is on-fire for life! Every single aspect of her young personality has improved, and she is an inspiration to all of us.

She is even an inspiration to her atheist Dad! He is amazed at the transformation taking place in her! In fact, three weeks ago he flew in from Japan. We talked at length through a translator. He asked me to coach Lucy for the next 5-6 years, and was so grateful for my work. I was almost in tears…

He is even interested in investing in condos at a tennis facility we build, if ICTA ever builds one. Since he owns a bunch of Japanese restaurants in South America, I take his investment interest as a great compliment.

(pic of me looking at Walt Disney, one of my favorite people and examples!)

It has taken me nearly 10 years to build International Christian Tennis Association.

As I look around for the fruit of my labor, I have to look first to my academy/missions kids. What a treasure they have been in my life.

Generally, I’m not a person with much patience, and I prefer to have plenty of space around me. But, God invaded my life through kids from 15 countries and 14 US States… kids who have camped out in my house… and ate all my food… and constantly hang around me… and God taught me so much through them I can’t begin to tell you in a simple journal entry.

10 years is a long time. I’ve learned a lot and I’ve grown a lot. Hopefully, I’ve helped some people along the way.

Whatever God has coming up for me in the future, whether it’s with International Christian Tennis Association or not, the last 10 years have been good. Like I said, I’ve learned a lot.

God bless,

Scott Paschal

International Christian Tennis Association

Justine Henin, the #1 ranked WTA player, launched a huge, international statement directly at the WTA on Wednesday by quitting as a professional tennis player.

Without warning, the tennis world’s #1 female player looked straight in the WTA’s eyes and forced them to finally listen to her.

Never before in the history of women’s professional tennis has the #1 player walked away!

Magazines and newspapers and TV shows are quickly spreading the “shocking” news…

I wasn’t shocked.

Over and over during the last year, Justine kept telling the world she was getting fatigued.

The tennis gods refused to listen….

And it seems they’ve refused to learn, as well. Instead of looking inward to see what responsibility they have in this terribly embarassing situation, they smoothly moved Maria Sharapova and Ana Ivanovic to the front of the line.

I wonder if they asked young, unsuspecting Ana Ivanovic if she wanted a blindfold and a cigarette.

As much as Venus Williams changed women’s tennis, Justine Henin also brought hope. She reminded us all that heart is important.

She was a tiny giant among towering tennis superpowers… such as Lindsey Davenport, Venus and Serena Williams, Maria Sharapova, Jelena Jancovic….

The tiny giant brought the tiny female players worldwide back to tennis… the ones who had became discouraged and quit when height took over the sport. Yet, our tiny giant needed rest, and none was allowed by the tennis gods.

When a player becomes injured, the WTA protects their ranking while they heal from injury, thus when the player recovers she can pick up where she left off. I had written an article recommending the WTA allow a player the same protection for mental fatigue recovery, or physical recovery before a major injury occurs.

The tennis gods refused to listen….

Justine Henin’s Mom died when Justine was in juniors.

The tennis gods refused to listen…

She didn’t speak to her Dad for 8 years.

The tennis gods refused to listen…

I remember when she got married. I also remember last year’s divorce.

The tennis gods refused to listen…

Recently, instead of offering players more freedom to rest, the WTA chose to force top players to attend more tournaments by stiffly fining players who pulled out of events.

The tennis gods also made Indian Wells and Miami (world’s 5th and 6th largest pro tournaments) mandatory for players to enter. These two 2-week long events are played back to back.

Immediately after announcing her retirement, Justine Henin demanded her name be completely removed from the WTA ranking list! That statement was huge. Embarrassingly to the WTA, their heavily marketed Maria Sharapova was moved to the #1 spot without having earned it.

For once in a long, long time the tennis gods have been forced to listen….

Justine Henin’s statement is huge.

Professional tennis is about $. Anyone who thinks differently is clueless. The WTA and ATP worship the almighty dollar. Image is everything and players are simply the product. They are cattle to be used to feed the masses.

Troy Aikman, the Hall of Fame quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys and winner of 3 Super Bowls, blasted the NFL in the ’90s by saying he believes the NFL players are nothing more than prostitutes for the NFL….

Could the same be said by female professional tennis players towards the WTA… that players are simply prostituted to the masses as a source of entertainment and revenue?

The WTA seems to claim to be an organization designed to represent the players’ needs. Is this happening?

The #1 WTA player in the world, and arguably one of the best female players in history, quit!

She demanded her name be removed from the WTA rankings!

As the WTA’s public relations people quickly move into position to keep the public from seeing the real issues, tennis fans worldwide will begin to see the WTA heavily pimp their next prostitu.., excuse me … promote their next player, which looks to be Ana Ivanavic.

I have little doubt Ana Ivanavic will be gone at 23 or 24 years of age. Her body will be broken down, her mind exhausted, her spirit broken. Like Kim Clysters and Anastasia Myskina, she will crave a real life and love from people who treat her like a human being.

So, what is there, really, with the WTA? New players simply replacing the old? What do tennis fans truly invest in… why even bother falling in love with a WTA player’s game when you know she’s soon worn out?

The #1 female player in the world just quit! She walked away and asked to have her name removed from the WTA computer rankings! She said “no” to millions of $ in prize money, said “no” to millions of $ in sponsor money….

The Women’s Tennis Association must stand up and take notice of their champion walking away, and they must be willing to take some responsibility for their part in her decision.

I’m no brain surgeon, but I do know that when a champion even hints they are tired, they should be listened to and help should be given. When a champion hints changes should be made to help the other athletes, they should be listened to.

When a young person is in trouble, those in a position to help should help.

Take away the facade of tennis.

A kid was hurting. Her mother is dead. She was estranged by her father for 8 years. Last year, her marriage fell apart in divorce. Basically, her only family is her long time coach, Carlos.

Young girls worldwide chase the dream of becoming the #1 WTA player in the world….

Why? Is it for fame and fortune? If so, they are chasing a rainbow’s pot of gold.

The vast emptiness at the top of women’s pro tennis is a wasteland of pain, isolation, and doubt. For the very few who reach financial security, it comes with a cost. Possibly a cost too steep to pay.

What is the answer? Easy.

Jesus Christ.

Without question, placing Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior of her life will change the lenses from which life is viewed.

It seems the WTA has worked diligently to allow a player’s sex life and sexual preferences take Center Court.

Yet, if one mentions Jesus Christ, or even the spiritual needs of players from all religions, the WTA gods quickly cry foul.

Did you know not even one Christian Chaplain is officially allowed in players’ areas at tournaments? Why? How can this be?

We talk all day about the technical and tactical game of tennis. We discuss nutrition and fitness. Mental training is a hot topic. But, as much, if not more, than any of these is a player’s spiritual fitness.

Without question, Chaplains from every major religion must be allowed access to the players, coaches, tournament staff, volunteers, media, and fans who want them there.

Terrorism, isolation, mafia, constant worldwide travel, lack of family stability… WTA and ATP players need guidance…. spiritual guidance. And the guidance shouldn’t come from the tennis gods….

When will the giants of tennis past step up and lead? When will our current and former Grand Slam champions reach out for the next generation with the message of hope that is Christ? When will Jesus take center court in tennis?

In America, when will hiding behind political correctness to protect your reputation be a thing of the past? Christians worldwide are being martyred at record pace… they’re being murdered daily for their faith in Jesus… they’re being tortured… and they refuse to back down!

That’s how the 12 disciples did it. That’s how Jesus did it.

Yet, in tennis, including past American tennis greats, we have a bunch of geldings worrying about their reputations.

It’s not supposed to be easy and it’s not supposed to be fun and it’s not supposed to be cool. You are a Christian, a follower of Christ… you are heavily involved in a spiritual battle… you have work to do.

Stop hiding, stop whining, stop being politically correct.

Stop trying to be “cool” hoping your “coolness” will “win people” for Christ. It doesn’t work. Worldly techniques can’t effectively fight a spiritual battle.

Tell this lost generation about Jesus. Start sharing the Gospel. The Holy Spirit will convict those you speak to. Start using your influence to bring the name of Jesus to all people groups worldwide.

Learn to understand how a small band of Jewish brothers sent the name of Christ global. Learn to understand how followers of Christ in Rome stood strong, spoke of their faith in Jesus, refused to waver in intense persecution… and conquered the most powerful nation of their day.

Honestly, I wonder if Jesus would be sitting in a box seat being celebrated during the US OPEN.

Without question, I understand I’m a little nobody in ministry and in tennis. Let me make that clear. I’m in no way the authority on anything, and I can see much improvement I need to do in my own walk with Christ.

And maybe in some ways I’m not seeing the whole picture here. But, that said, you can’t really make much of an argument that I haven’t worked my tail off with the resources and knowledge, however limited, I’ve had at my disposal.

I make mistakes, and I’ve worked to learn life lessons. I’m not even hinting at any type of perfection in my life choices.

What I am saying is when a large platform is offered, Jesus Christ should be the One being celebrated.

Players, coaches, fans… former Grand Slam Champions… should make Jesus’ name and story the focal point. Ask yourself why “sexual orientation” is all the rage, yet Jesus is viewed with hate and anger.

Justine Henin’s retirement shocked the world. Yet, there is a bigger picture here.

The tennis world is void of meaning. The purpose of tennis is void of life. $ and power last just so long, then a need for meaning becomes crystal clear.

If you have influence in tennis, you can have a real purpose beyond yourself.

And, if you are a nobody like me, you can have influence to. Just read the Bible and strive to do what it says.

It’s really that simple.

Read the Bible and strive to do what it says…

God bless,

Coach Scotty

International Christian Tennis Association

As a teen, I had a few pretty straightforward questions…

“Why did my Christian parents divorce?”

“Why did my Christian dad commit suicide in my car during the weekend of my 17th birthday?”

“If God is so good, why is my dad dead?”

“Why do Christians talk about how great Heaven is… but no one wants to die!?”

“Why do Church kids treat me like crap?”

As my young life was being pounded, I asked these questions to people at my church.

(pic of me in Benin City, Nigeria w/ friends during ICTA Africa Outreach)

I quickly learned church people had no idea what to say. Mainly, they would give me blank, troubled, or dirty looks.

I was hurting and needed someone to step up to the plate and go to bat for me. I needed real, authentic answers.

Unfortunately, the people I spoke with had not been educated in spiritual warfare or the defense of Christianity in any substantial way, thus were at a loss to know how to guide me.

I was a lost, confused, hurting kid doing what he could to find answers… I didn’t turn to drugs, sex, alcohol… I turned to the church, and I was terribly let down.

I thought the church could help me uncover the answers, instead the church helped me uncover its own lack….

Can I say something raw here?

Do you, personally, have any idea why you are Christian?

I mean, do you have any real facts about Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection, or; are you simply a “believer” because your parents, friends, or pastor basically led you down that road without giving you the opportunity to question anything?

If that was the case, what if your parents had taught you to howl to a full moon and drink gopher blood to celebrate the birth of the Goomba god?  See my point here, right?

If you are a follower of Christ, thank God! I am so glad and thankful.

But, honestly, just being a “follower” isn’t enough, and it’s not getting the job of advancing His Kingdom done.  You’re in the middle of a spiritual war…

By knowing Jesus, you will understand the spiritual battle you are in, whether you currently see it or not.

And that is what this blog is all about… learning powerful aspects of how Jesus teaches us to advance His Kingdom on earth.

Most of you who know me have a clear understanding that I tend to wear my thoughts and emotions on my sleeve.

Much as it was easy to read Andre Agassi’s emotions as he played tennis, so it is with me in ministry….

In 20+ years as a tennis coach and nearly 10 years as the founder of a sports ministry, I’ve seen a lot of bad stuff, really bad stuff.

Basically, I’ve seen Satan running unchecked in tennis worldwide, and, as I began preaching and speaking to churches and groups, I’ve seen Satan masterfully taking control of the church as well.

That said, this fool, without a formal seminary education, or really any formal ministry schooling at all, is going Martin Luther on some satanic “Christian habits” which are trying to keep your eyes shut, ears closed, and hearts cold.

With the tenacity of Nadal, the raw honesty of Agassi, and the serve of Sampras, I hope to wake and shake up those people God places in my path. If you don’t like what I’m writing and teaching, honestly, I don’t care. I’m not doing this for your approval. And, honestly, you might be part of the problem….

The following is a summary of what I’m going to try to explain in How to Kick Satanic Tail 101. The full scoop will be laid out in its entirety over at ICTADevo2008 , when I’m finished writing The Spooky Naked Guy Chronicles.

For now, tell your friends that I’m beyond sick and tired of Christians who have no idea, first of all, of why they are even Christian; second of all, they aren’t being taught squat about how to not get blown to bits in the spiritual war; and thirdly, refuse to take their heads out of the trendy “Christian sand” in fear of offending someone heading straight to hell.

Below is the outline I’ve created to help get those interested in advancing His Kingdom and being successful in the Spiritual War better prepared to follow the Great Commission as written by Mathew in chapter 28.

How to Kick Satanic Tail 101:

The Nature of the War

Two Opposing Kingdoms

Satan’s Headquarters

Battle of Angels

The Weapons and the Battlefield

The Basis of Our Victory

Our Defensive Armour

The Full Armour of God

The Girdle of Truth

The Breastplate of Righteousness

The Shoes of the Preparation of the Gospel

The Shield of Faith

The Helmet of Salvation

The Sword of the Spirit

The Unprotected Area

Weapons of Attack

Taking the Offensive

The Weapon of Prayer

The Weapon of Praise

The Weapon of Preaching

The Weapon of Testimony

Preparing for the Battle

The Leader

The Passion

The Strategy and Tactics

The Plan

The Wounded

War Zone

Clarity

Purpose

Focus and Intensity

Defections

Injury & Death

MASH Units

Victory & Defeat

My hope is someone somewhere will benefit from my efforts to bring this outline to life.  The longer I’m in ministry, the more I see the vast need to equip Christians to understand spiritual warfare, or what I tend to call it… the Battle of the Great Commission.

God bless,

Scott Paschal

International Christian Tennis Association

Who knew God had planned for me to meet, tear down walls, and build bridges with two people in ministry that I hadn’t particularly gotten along with very well before! I’ll explain…

The end of last week and early this week ICTA Women’s Pro Team Outreach journied 210 miles south on I95 to the Ballenisles/USTA $25K Women’s Pro Circuit Event being held at the Ballenisles Country Club, home of Serena Williams.

Our mission team was already pretty tired from having been on the road for most of the last couple of months traveling to as far away as Africa, to locations in the USA such as Birmingham, Alabama and Jackson, Mississippi.

As such, we had basically canceled the Palm Beach Outreach so everyone could rest, go to church, and recharge their batteries. Traveling constantly isn’t easy. It’s hard for anyone.

That said, on Saturday… the day of check-in for the tournament… I felt God overwhelming my thoughts and urging me to go to Palm Beach Gardens. I’ve been in ministry for a while, and I know when God does this we needed to go, even if I have no idea of His plans.

I asked Melody Snelen and Anastasia Kharchenko, two of my longtime students and team members of the ICTA Women’s Pro Tennis Team, if they would go with me. They agreed, quickly packed their suitcases, loaded the van with outreach supplies (bibles, Christian books, ICTA T-Shirts, etc.), and we were soon on our way. Sign-in was between 3pm and 6pm, we had to hurry as the time was nearly 2pm!

Along the way I felt God leading me to make a renewed connection in person with a ministry we hadn’t visited with in a while. From following His lead, God quickly provided over $6500 worth of Christian books and Bibles and CDs at a substantially discounted price to go with what we had already packed for distribution during the outreach.

We loaded the van with the new outreach supplies and on we went, arriving in time for sign-in with just 6 minutes to spare….

Though Ana was entered in the event, that wasn’t why we went. I told her she didn’t even need to play.

Ana’s body was still recovering from her match with former WTA #14, Elina Bovina, who is currently ranked in the 300s during her comeback from a foot injury.

Their marathon match in Alabama went to a tie break in the 3rd set with Elina taking the victory. Both girls were completely physically and emotionally exhausted from their encounter.

Elina pulled out of her upcoming tournaments, and Ana’s entire body was sore for the next 4 days to the point she couldn’t even train.

As we were not in Palm Beach Gardens for my players’ tennis, why did God want us there? I had no idea, but I did know something was going to happen.

After sign-in, Mel and Ana practiced for about an hour. And we gave another player and her coach/husband a book and a Bible…. Pretty routine stuff, so far.

After practice, we sat outside at the club and looked around at how amazingly perfect the facility looked, and we talked about it in comparison to poverty stricken Benin City, Nigeria where we had recently spent a few weeks.

I remembered one situation in Nigeria when we had basically ran out of the food we had brought from Florida. The hotel had a restaurant, think 3rd world here, which Mel and Ana visited to look at the menu. They discovered the soup of the day was made of goat intestines….

Both girls were pretty grossed out! You expect to hear about chicken or beef or potato soup, but not really about the intestines of a goat!

After laughing for a while, we left the club, ate dinner at a Chinese buffet, and checked into our housing.

On Day 2 in Florida the rains came! The day for tennis was basically washed out. But, the opportunity was prime for ministry outreach! Ana grabbed some books (Captured by Grace by David Jeremiah) and Bibles (a Bible magazine called Refuel) and began distributing them to anyone who wanted one… or two… or three….

Soon after, I was approached by a guy who thanked me for the gifts. Our tennis missionaries had given ICTA Outreach gifts to him and the entire group he was with. I quickly recognized him as someone I didn’t really much like, but, honestly, didn’t really know.

As we talked I felt God urging me to build bridges, that it was time to move forward and I needed to let the past go, and that God had much work to be completed and my idiotic ego was standing in the way. I soon offered well over 100 books and Bibles to him. He graciously accepted… and walls began crumbling down.

The next day he and a friend, whom I also recognized as someone I didn’t particularly like due to past experiences, from his group watched Ana’s second match of the day when she played Sheika Uberoi. After the match I invited them to meet with me. They eagerly agreed and we sat and talked. Again, walls came tumbling down as Jesus came into full view.

I enjoyed my time meeting with Ryan Fitzwilliams and Lindsay Sullivan. I enjoyed God helping me see them for who they are in Him.

Ryan coaches at a Catholic school, has an outreach to the pro tennis tour (mainly the men), and has a growing sports ministry called Match Point Ministries. Lindsay is nurturing the newly forming tennis aspect of Athletes in Action.

As we talked together, I felt God showing me that this was the reason He needed me in Palm Beach Gardens.

The entire visit was a big band-aid covering and healing old wounds. I shared the history of the International Christian Tennis Association (even from way back in the late 70s/early 80s when it was someone elses’ big dream!). I explained how I began in ministry and why I feel so strongly about championing different causes. And we talked about the future of International Christian Tennis Association…

We talked about mistakes made in the past, both mine and others. We discussed the need to not have competitiveness towards each other in ministry. And God allowed us each to begin, again.

I enjoyed being able to spend time with both Lindsay and Ryan. I’m glad God was able to use Ana to reach them as she was giving away ICTA Outreach gifts, and that through the faithful missionary dedication she showed… a God appointed meeting happened.

After we visited, Ryan and I loaded up his Toyota with ICTA Outreach supplies, and shook hands. I felt like God’s work had been accomplished and had a total peace that Ana, Mel, and I could now begin driving back to Palm Coast.

Sometimes in ministry, people can become possessive and competitive. I believe it is one of Satan’s tools to slow the Great Commission. I am as guilty of it as anyone. Especially when I first started. Now, I realize the importance of understanding that competition between ministries is a first sign of immaturity and insecurity in the ministry leader’s personal walk with Jesus.

Possibly all pastors/ministers go through it. I know I did. By nature, I am ridiculously competitive and like to kick butt in everything I do! But, now I focus my energy on kicking satanic tail… and part of winning against Satan means swallowing pride, apologizing, forgiving, and working together….

The main point of ministry in tennis… of seeing tennis as a harvest field for Christ… is to reach and disciple the lost. Millions of people from religions and cultures worldwide have no interest in Christianity, yet love tennis. Tennis is our common bond.

The field of work for ICTA and AIA and Match Point is intense. Tennis is without question the most difficult ministry field in all of sports.

As such, when someone in tennis is reached or is genuinely seeking Christ, they need to see a unified voice for Christ from caring ministries. They need and deserve to see all of us truly interested in putting self below Jesus to shine as one light in places God has assigned us to harvest and shepherd.

Through this divinely appointed meeting, I believe Lindsay, Ryan, and I have just had our serve cranked up by Coach Jesus, and are ready to look for Satan’s short returns we can smack into the open court for winners.

My heartbeat is for people worldwide to see Christ being reflected by the willingness our three ministries show to grow in unity; to support, lift up, and stand by each other as one body… and to pray for and offer grace to peers who continue to struggle with unforgiveness and competitiveness and jealousy….

Last Saturday night at Ballenisles Country Club after practice, as Ana, Mel, and I were thinking back to International Christian Tennis Association’s 3 week mission trip to Africa, I remembered how I laughed when Ana and Mel first told me the hotel restaurant in Nigeria was serving Goat Intestine Soup. They were grossed out, and it was funny to watch their expressions! I was pretty grossed out, too.

And now as I type I realize that as we sat on court after practice Saturday evening in Palm Beach Gardens and talked, I had absolutely no idea of God’s plans for the trip. We weren’t even planning to be there! Yet, God knew His plans. He is in control.

And He clearly showed He needs a unified voice for Him in tennis!

As my players and I left the tournament and drove north on I95, I felt a complete peace about the purpose and success of this last minute God breathed, God ordained ICTA outreach… I also smiled…

I felt God telling me that when pro tennis players and tennis fans, Christian or not, from countries worldwide think of Him they need to see a unified body of people who truly love Him reflecting everything that He is, that we should all be “serving” our best stuff that He has coached us in…

…and that we shouldn’t be “serving” Goat Intestine Soup!

God bless,

Scott Pachal

International Christian Tennis Association

Just a note to let our ICTABlog family know things are happening and the party is rockin’ over at ICTADevo2008.

The Spooky Naked Guy Chronicles are in full swing! If you don’t know Spooky Naked Guy you are missing out! I know, I know… Spooky Naked Guy and “the party is rockin” might not sound too darn Christian, but it is and you’ll see what I mean when you cruise on in to ICTADevo2008!

ICTADevo2008 is an online hangout for people to enjoy Christian tennis devotionals… stories… videos, and it currently has approx 300 devoted readers after 3 months. Spooky Naked Guy, SNG, is based on a section of Luke 8, which has an incredible ability to impact my life and yours.

ICTADevo2008 readers have been clamoring for more Spooky Naked Guy Chronicles, so two more have just been introduced with a 3rd coming this week! What a blast to create these stories…

• March 16, Spooky Naked Guy Answers Roll Call
• April 1, Spooky Naked Guy Goes Hog Wild

ICTADevo2008 began the day after Christmas 2007. This online hideaway has gained a life of its own. People have contacted me telling of how SNG’s stories have applied directly to their life story, which, if you know me, you know gets me really, really excited and inspired.

One youth pastor mentioned he wants to make a stage play of the SNG Chronicles for his church when I’m finished writing the series! A mom said her son is making a storyboard of drawings w/ scriptures which follows Spooky Naked Guy on his journey!

And speaking of taking on a life of its own… let me give you some incredible numbers about ICTABlog….

Remember, in July 2007 we kicked off this new blog format. That month we averaged 1 visitor a day… probably my mom .

The next month, August 2007, ICTABlog welcomed 446 visitors.

849 readers stopped by in November 2007. December 2007 brought 1547 visits!

And… (drum roll please)… March 2008 witnessed ICTABlog enjoying 2494 visits… approx 80 readers a day!

My original goal/hope was to gain maybe 200-300 visitors a month. Now, we get those numbers in 3-4 days and that simply blows my mind. God is growing awareness to important issues through International Christian Tennis Association.

Surf on over to visit Spooky Naked Guy! His story is amazing and awe inspiring and worth the price of admission…. which, as always, is free

God bless,

Scott Paschal

International Christian Tennis Association

Luke 8: 31-33

And they begged Him repeatedly not to order them to go into the abyss. A large herd of pigs was feeding there on the hillside. The demons begged Jesus to let them go into them, and He gave them permission. (NIV) Then the demons came out of the man and entered the pigs and the herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and were drowned. (ESV)

The Spooky Naked Guy Chronicles: Part Five

Previously: Jesus allowed the demons inhabiting Spooky Naked Guy to speak. He wanted them to tell Him their name. Jesus wants us to name our sin, speak its name to Him. Let your sin negotiate with Jesus, not with you! Though it can defeat us, sin cannot defeat God.

Our story continues…

Honestly, if I’d witnessed that whole scene, I’d have probably freaked out.

Not about the pig part, but the whole legion of demons being evicted from the guy part. In today’s computer animation world, can’t you see some movie studio making that whole scene loud and shocking and packed full of incredible special effects leaving the audience gasping for breath!

That said, I don’t know what it was actually like. The Bible doesn’t say. Without much fanfare, the situation seems to go from demons being inside of Spooky Naked Guy to demons bugging out of Spooky Naked Guy to demons going hog wild inside some newly spooked-up naked pigs.

Though probably no one watching even noticed the actual big, demonic switcharoo, there were some mind-blowing, spiritually special effects causing some waves.

Lean in and look around with me at this miraculous scene unfolding on the beach….

You noticed the demons pitifully begging Jesus, right? They seemed terrified of being sent into the abyss. Whatever the abyss actually is, the fact that demons don’t even want to be there is a huge statement to God’s power…

They had just been ordered out of Spooky Naked Guy by Jesus, and then begged Him to not force them to go into the abyss.

As they were pleading, I suppose they possibly hijacked Spooky Naked Guy’s eyeballs to spot some pigs hanging out nearby. They demonically pleaded for Jesus’ permission to enter into the pigs, instead of the abyss, to which He gave the big thumbs up.

It’s not the whole demons avoiding the abyss and making “spooky naked pigs” thing that grabbed my attention, though that situation is pretty amazing and cool.

What has my heart pumping and missionary feet ready for action is something really cool that I don’t want you to miss!

It’s big and it’s huge and I want you to see it for the huge that it is!

Are you ready? I hope so.

Here it is…

I think maybe Jesus wanted the demons to stay on earth.

I think Jesus has a big reason for allowing this unfolding “beach outreach” to be captured publicly, and I smell some smoke from the campfire as he’s lighting in this scene about one of the possible purposes of His fallen angels on earth…

“Whoa…hold on a minute Coach… that’s not biblical… of course Jesus wanted to destroy the demons, they’re demons by God and they must be destroyed!”

Nope. Not according to Jesus’ words and actions.

I know this may seem pretty scandalous, but think about it… these demons not only recognized and were allowed to speak with Jesus, they were even allowed to negotiate their exit of Spooky Naked Guy and negotiate the next step of their existence, which was to leave SNG and go Hog Wild.

But, more than that… and stay with me here as my kickin’-some-demon-tail side kicks in…

We know for a fact Jesus did not order the demons into the abyss, and that He did allow them to enter pigs. That is in the Bible and is undeniable. That said, there must be a Godly, God-inspired, God-purposed reasoning for that. He could have said adios and chunked them into the abyss.

But he didn’t.

The demons, upon Jesus’ God-of-all-things permission and approval, then inhabited the pigs. Jesus Christ deliberately chose to allow the demons’ request! After that, the demons bolted SNG and drowned the pigs..

But, think about this… do demons drown? I don’t think so.

Pigs yes… spooky, non-organic things no.

The Bible is pretty clear the hogs bought the farm, but no where in the Bible does Jesus teach us that we can whack a demon simply by drowning one! Demons don’t drown. They’re spooks, they don’t have lungs. Drowning is for those of us who need air.

What demons can and will do is destroy.

And they obviously did destroy the 2000 pigs and they obviously did try to destroy Spooky Naked Guy and they obviously came and went from Spooky Naked Guy whenever they wanted, and, they obviously can recognize and speak to the God of the universe…

… but they just don’t seem to be too darned afraid of water or hanging out inside of pigs.

That all said, if Jesus wanted to send the demons into the abyss, he could have!

But he didn’t.

He let ‘em be demons and destroy some pigs knowing full well the demons would survive. Pigs drown, demons get to continue on their not so merry way. Got it?

So, the question hanging in the air here is why?

Why does Jesus want an extra legion of demons doing demon stuff here on earth? Why didn’t He just slam dunk ‘em to abyssland?

Why didn’t these fallen angels get God-sized handcuffs and get thrown into the “abyss jail?”

Maybe because it’s not time.

Maybe because what you and I see as what should happen isn’t actually what should happen. Maybe because Jesus has a plan and He didn’t see the need to consult with us and ask us to form a committee to help Him decide His course of action concerning the demons.

Maybe the demons have a reason for existing….

And as they have a reason and are allowed by God to negotiate their existence, I see absolutely no reason why I should be afraid of them!

I see no reason why the church should be stuck playing defense against a opponent that is terrified of God and must submit to His authority!

I’m pretty bored with lobbing and chipping, and I’m pretty darn ready to line up my forehand to go inside-out and pound my opponent’s weak demonic backhand….

As a Christian missionary, I see the damage caused by demonic work. I see it everywhere. Not just in tennis, but literally everywhere.

I know there are plenty of people who aren’t too keen on talking or thinking about demons and stuff, but unless your just plain not too bright or unless you’re just totally spiritually blind, you gotta know demons are working harder than ants to flat out destroy.

And Jesus flat out tells me and you in His word, the Bible, that Spooky Naked Guy was inhabited by a literally freaking legion of demons! So, they are real. Spiritual war is real, Satan is real, and demons are real.

And you and I need to know how to deal with them. Because, and this might sound odd, demons are needed in God’s unfolding story.

He put ‘em here, right!? They serve a purpose.

A place without sin and demons and stuff is called Heaven, and earth in 2008 isn’t Heaven!

Demonic activity forces us to rely on God. It builds us, grows our faith, directly forces us to fill with faith as our “footwork” improves….

And, bigger than that, how would God’s glory have been revealed through His Son if not for demonic activity working to destroy Him?

I’m not trying to trivialize Satan’s power. My dad committed suicide after a life of alcoholism, and my family was bashed into the ground. And I’ve personally witnessed horrible atrocities worldwide. But, I am saying through God we have the power to take control and shine for Him.

I am saying Satan doesn’t have total power.  Sure, he’s the local country club 4.0 league champion… but bro he is no Roger Federer or Andre Agassi and never will or can be!  When you put him in perspective he’s only impressive to those who hang around him and compete on his level…

And we have no business or reason playing defense as the church, since we literally have the biggest serve and biggest game in the universe!

Demons… they just want to destroy. Since they couldn’t destroy Spooky Naked Guy, they destroyed pigs. That’s the tattoo of demonic activity, it destroys.

Yet, by God’s people rising up out of the destruction, by God’s people having the faith to shine for Him in a demonic, fallen world, by you and me standing strong against all odds despite our ridiculously unqualified ability… God can fill us with His grace and His love and His Holy Spirit and His wisdom as He moves our mouths and He moves our feet…

… just as the demons could inhabit and influence Spooky Naked Guy and the hogs to create destruction and Hell on earth…

… God can work within us and through us and in spite of us to build His kingdom and to share His glory.

Got it? Good.

Right now in our story Spooky Naked Guy’s life has radically changed. He’s not even back to being Normal Guy. Something new has been born, created by God and radiating in His story.

On the sandy beach something special is happening… and I look forward to sitting around the fire with you in Camp Jesus spending some time together as Spooky Naked Guy Draws A Crowd.

Scott Paschal

International Christian Tennis Association

]]> http://plugginaway4him.wordpress.com/2008/03/20/pain-on-the-journey-to-wta-fame/ Fri, 21 Mar 2008 03:12:40 +0000 Scott Paschal http://plugginaway4him.wordpress.com/2008/03/20/pain-on-the-journey-to-wta-fame/

What do you personally do when you see someone being harmed illegally?

Let’s say you see someone totally defenseless being hurt… maybe a baby in a locked car with the windows up on a hot summer day... and the car’s engine is off. What would you do? Be honest.

(Anastasia Kharchenko (WTA) and “Lucy.” Harmed by tennis coaches. Both now have voice!)

Would you walk by and pretend you saw nothing? Would you call the police or emergency rescue for help? Would you bash in a window and allow the heat to escape? Be honest.

Most decent people would want to help.

But, what about those people who refuse to help. Sicker still, what about those people who receive some sort of enjoyment from seeing others hurt. And, what if the people who refuse to help or the people who gain enjoyment from the pain of others are in positions of power?

Unfortunately, this type of sickness is happening all over the global tennis industry. I know because over the last nearly decade I’ve compiled a list of graphic abuses forced on under age children in tennis by Satanists, homosexual and heterosexual pedophiles, famous tennis coaches, atheists, tennis academy owners, pro tennis players….

In tennis, there are people who are in difficult situations worldwide. You’ve often heard me speak up about under age kids being harmed.

You’ve heard my opinions and you’ve seen me back up my words with action. Change is happening in tennis… as you can plainly see from my last blog entry about how the WTA is now finally demanding criminal background checks on all WTA player coaches…

… which won’t even come close to fixing everything and isn’t nearly everything I wanted, but it is a start and does send a global message throughout women’s sports….

You’ve seen me screaming from the rooftops and soapboxes in places worldwide. Honestly, though, who gives a rip what I say. I’m obviously a nobody. I’m just one voice in millions of tennis voices. In no way am I THE authority on anything… nor is my opinion greater than yours.

The real question is, what does the Bible say?

What does the Bible teach us about those who are helpless. Has God given us any clues as to how He wants us to protect and preserve the rights of the abused.

Let’s take a look…

” The people who lived there were powerless; they were frightened and shunned. They were like grass in a field or weeds growing on a roof when the hot east wind blasts them.” Isaiah 37:27 (TEV)

How do we recognize the face of a powerless person?

Again, let’s look to the Bible… and notice the guy from Cyrene…

“The soldiers led Jesus away, and as they were going, they met a man from Cyrene named Simon, who was coming into the city from the country. They seized him, put the cross on him, and made him carry it behind Jesus.” Luke 23:26 (TEV)

(Melody Snelen being cheered up by local Nigerian youth in Benin City after losing 2 hr match to eventual Finalist, Nowack. All here are faces of the abused. Melody now has voice!)

Back in Jesus’ day, people from Cyrene most likely had black skin, thus were basically considered less than equals to the locals. Notice the guards took Simon because they could see he was not local (of their status)!

1. The powerless are many times considered second class citizens

“… a man from Cyrene who was coming into the city from the country.”

2. The powerless many times have no one to protect them.

“… and they seized him…”

3. The powerless feel they are trapped and have no way of escape.

“…put the cross on him and made him carry it…”

Who are the powerless around us?

“Jesus said, ‘I was hungry and you fed me, I was thirsty and you gave me a drink, I was shivering and you gave me clothes, I was sick and you stopped to visit, I was in prison and you came to see me.’ ” Mathew 25: 35-36 (MSG)

1. Many children around the world… born and the unborn.

“But if you give these children a hard time, bullying or taking advantage of their simple trust, you’ll soon wish you hadn’t. You’d be better off dropped in the middle of a lake with a millstone around your neck.” Mathew 18:6 (MSG)

“Before I shaped you in the womb, I knew all about you. Before you saw the light of day, I had holy plans for you.” Jeremiah 1:5 (MSG)

2. Those discriminated against… by minority, race, social status.

“Don’t look down on me because of my skin color…” Song of Solomon 1:6 (TEV)

“You then, why do you judge your brother? Or why do you look down on your brother? For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat.” Romans 14:10 (NIV)

3. Those that are trapped due to illness, low income, or abandonment.

“Destruction is certain for those who issue unfair laws. They deprive the poor, the widows, and the orphans of justice. Yes, the rob widows and fatherless children!” Isaiah 10:1-2 (NLT)

(Rach and Mel w/ local physically handicapped Nigerians trying to stay alive in 3rd world conditions)

” ‘At that time I will put you on trial. I will speak against those who cheat employees of their wages, oppress widows and orphans, or who deprive the aliens living among you of justice, for these people do not fear me,’ says the Lord Almighty.” Malachi 3:5 (NLT)

Bringing hope to the powerless.

“God deliberately chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise. And He chose those who are powerless to shame those who are powerful.” 1 Corinthians 1:27 (NLT)

1. Reaching out to the powerless with compassion.

“You insult your maker when you exploit the powerless; when you’re kind to the poor, you honor God.” Proverbs 14:31 (MSG)

“When I am with those who are oppressed, I share their oppression so that I might bring them to Christ.” 1 Corinthians 9:22 (NLT)

(Ana w/ Nigerian youth after winning qualifier match for the first of two ITF Pro tournaments she won in Benin City)

2. Speak out for the powerless with conviction.

“Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves; ensure justice for those who are perishing. Yes, speak up for the poor and helpless, and see that they get justice.” Proverbs 31:8-9 (NLT)

3. Standing up for the powerless with courage.

“Your job is to stand up for the powerless, and to prosecute all those who exploit them.” Psalms 82:4 (MSG)

Truth to stand on…

There is only one person who can truly set people free.

“You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for you and me.” Romans 5:6 (NIV)

The challenge: Will we be willing to respond to those God places before us?

God bless,

Scott Paschal

International Christian Tennis Association

Luke 8:30

Jesus asks him, “What is your name?”

“Legion,” he replied, because many demons had gone into him.

Spooky Naked Guy Chronicles: Part Four

Previously: In the past Spooky Naked Guy had been chained, but always escaped when the demons returned to inhabit him and gave him supernatural strength to break the chains. Then, they made him run to solitary places.

We learn from Spooky Naked Guy that sometimes chains (discipline, accountability, intervention) are meant to protect us. Yet, sin can cause us to see healthy boundaries as controlling and dangerous, thus driving us away from the very thing which truly cares about our happiness.

The story continues…

Jesus really didn’t need to know Spooky Naked Guy’s name, or the names of the demons inhabiting him. He already knew exactly who and what He was speaking to and why. Yet, the Bible clearly shows Jesus asked him his name!

And, just before this, Jesus had commanded the demons to come out of Spooky Naked Guy… but He then let the demons ask Him questions before obeying His commands.

Why would Jesus negotiate with demons, and ask them their names, and even allow them to speak to Him in the first place!? In other places of the Bible, Jesus commands and no negotiating follows.

Jesus had chosen to have this amazing meeting on the beach with Spooky Naked Guy long before he even knew he was spooky and naked. This guy cutting himself with rocks and living in a cemetery while terrorizing locals was the object of his Savior’s love. Before, and during, the demonic possession is a child of God made in His image who is totally loved and adored by His maker who has come to rescue Him.

And here is Jesus writing the Bible through His words and deeds to teach us and show us and love us nearly 2000 years later. He has his reasons for allowing the demons to speak to Him.

When we have sin in our lives, sometimes we don’t see it. Sure, sometimes we do, but often we don’t. Maybe we have sinful habits passed down from our parents or grandparents. Maybe we are addicted to something and the sin has blinded us. Could be we choose to sin and rationalize it as ok.

I’m guilty of all of the above!

Aren’t you?

Jesus needed us to read this passage in His story. Jesus wants us to name our sin, see it for what it is.

He knows sin is powerful and can and will overtake our lives inhabiting and controlling our destiny. When sin recognizes Jesus, it will bow down… yet will still attempt to control through negotiation.

When Jesus and Spooky Naked Guy were face to face on the beach, the demons recognized Jesus and Jesus recognized the demons. Sin began its negotiations, yet Jesus demanded Spooky Naked Guy to name his demon (sin). He wanted it to be revealed through words. He wanted it to be exposed.

We all have sin in our lives. Jesus knows our sin.

He’s asking you to name the sin in your life. Is demonic activity influencing your thoughts and actions? Are you immune to it!? No, you’re not. Name your sin. Expose it. Tell it to Jesus.

Stop negotiating with it yourself. Stop letting it rule your life. Name it. Expose it as the fraud it is!

Jesus knows every detail about you. He knows every aspect of your life. His love for you knows no end. As you live each day, do you have a complete and clear understanding of the power of God’s total love for you? Forget what the world teaches! Forget it!! What was trendy 100 years ago, is idiotic now.

Who cares what the latest God-aphobic trend is now!? I don’t. You shouldn’t. The absolute only thing that matters is Jesus Christ crucified. Nothing less. Nothing more.

Name your sin. Tell it to Jesus.

You are a child of God made in His image.

Jesus is asking for all of you…

… give him your sin, so you can begin to live free in Him.

Scott Paschal

International Christian Tennis Association

Congratulations to junior tennis player Anastasia Kharchenko who won her first ITF Pro Circuit Title while on an ICTA Outreach in Benin City, Nigeria!

Ana, a member of International Christian Tennis Association Women’s Pro Tennis Team, which is a special group of high performance tennis players dedicated to sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ, won the tournament without losing a set!

(Anastasia Kharchenko, 2nd from left, with team in Atlanta airport before flying to Lagos, Nigeria)

The team travels worldwide competing in ITF Pro Circuit tournaments. Each tournament they attend is a Christian outreach harvest field for them.

The road from when I first met Ana to our journeying to Nigeria with her team is a special one that leaves us all standing in awe of the miraculous provision of God.

About 1.5 years ago, an ICTA Women’s Pro Tennis Team journeyed to an international tournament in Mexico. There they met Anastasia Kharchenko, who they discovered had been forced to endure abuse from her tennis coaches.

I will never forget Rachel Snelen, team captain, calling and asking me if I would be willing to coach Ana.

(Ana and I flying to Lagos Nigeria)

When Rachel informed me Ana was from Ukraine, I nearly hung up the phone, as just a few months earlier I had been burned by Julia Vakulenko and had basically lost trust in Ukrainian players.

You remember Julia, right? She’s the WTA pro player who had quit tennis, sank into suicidal depression, and became bedridden. God used me to intervene in her potential suicide attempt on Christmas Eve 2005.

After the miraculous intervention, I brought Vakulenko to Florida and began rebuilding her on and off the court. I changed her tennis racket and strings to give her more control, taught her a topspin serve, and showed her the importance of hitting tight angles to pull her opponents off the court. Hours and hours we spent working on her ability to change the direction of the ball with power and confidence.

We focused on strengthening her legs and her stomach, and spent hour after hour on footwork drills. Vakulenko fell in love with dribbling a soccer ball and riding mountain bikes.

(Ana and I on a crazy shuttle bus ride in Lagos, Nigeria.)

I poured into Vakulenko’s tennis at no charge for weeks hoping to re-light her fire for life. Like all my students, she improved daily and loved what and how I taught her.

In addition, Julia had daily Bible studies with my other students, devotional time, and prayer time. We even traveled to an amazing Christian conference in Florida, and went to Georgia to listen to the testimony of a gifted Christian communicator.

Daily for the first 6 weeks, and I mean daily, Vakulenko told me how happy she was and how grateful she was to God for sending me into her life and giving her a new start. She wrote me beautiful notes and cards showing her appreciation.

While the first 6 weeks working with her were pretty good, the last 10-14 days were a living hell. I had confronted her on what seemed to be prescription drug abuse. She started going ballistic.

(Melody Snelen and Ana exiting the airplane in Benin City, Nigeria)

Additionally, I confronted her to quit trying to recruit my students to either travel with her on the WTA tour or be coached by her mother in Barcelona. Which, according to my students, she had been secretly doing behind my back. I was beyond disappointed.

She also had set her sights on having Marek Czerwinski as her boyfriend and travel partner. Marek was a full time student of mine and had recently held the #1 ranking in B18 USTA. She claimed she could help him be a top ATP player and could give him the confidence he needed, if he only traveled with her.

I told Marek he needed to travel with several guys his age and ability level to about 35 ITF Pro Circuit tournaments a year for a few years, not shack up with her as the newest boy toy in her life! I told Julia to back off from the 18 year old boy!

Again, she went totally ballistic. (Needless to say after Marek shacked up with Vakulenko his pro career was a huge failure… he won just 5 matches in 2 years. Not too good for a guy whose main goal professionally was to beat Federer.)

(Ana and “Lucy”, an ICTA Pro Team member who had formerly been suicidal but is now excelling in her joy for life. “Lucy” is wearing her DNO tshirt she is very proud to own)

I decided to not coach Julia full time on the WTA tour. My last week with Julia was spent incurring her wrath. Even so, I stayed true to my initial commitment and flew her to Las Vegas to compete in the Tennis Channel Open, where she officially began her comeback after suicidal depression, while ICTA hosted a large-scale outreach to 50,000+ tennis fans.

In Vegas after her first-round match, Julia apologized for her actions and gave me a big, thankful hug. For 10 minutes while standing next to the tennis court she cried, hugged me, and apologized for her actions the past couple weeks. I, of course, was glad. We then spent the day together, and part of the next.

But, the apology was short lived as she quickly ran back to the people who seemed to have abused her, some of the ones she claimed had helped drive her towards depression, and she began bashing me at every opportunity… most likely because of the conviction she felt while shacking up with Marek, who had bought into her manipulation hook, line, and sinker.

(Anastasia Kharchenko with “Ana’s kids,” a group of Nigerian youth who watched her first match and received Christian gifts from ICTA)

Before coming to train with me full time, Julia Vakulenko had an average WTA ranking of just 161 over a six year period.

After my training her full time, the following two years saw her average ranking improve to 76 WTA with her highest ranking being 31 WTA.

From what I understand Julia also earned prize money of approx $500,000 during those 2 years, more than doubling her total from the six previous years. She also defeated 3 top 10 WTA players, and made the 4th round of the US OPEN, her best Grand Slam showing ever.

(Rachel Snelen, Melody Snelen, and Anstasia Kharchenko with local Nigerians)

The statistics are there for anyone to view. There is a very clear line of distinction between her tennis ability before meeting and working with me, and her accomplishments after.

There is also a clear line between Vakulenko the first 5-6 weeks before I confronted her on issues, and the two weeks following the confrontation.

(Anastasia before a match posing with local Nigerian painter at Nigeria’s National Tennis center)

Personally, I have few thoughts for or against Vakulenko for my time with her. The past is the past. I hope she has matured and faced her demons head on.

I also am not writing to pat myself on the back. I do not want or need new students and am not even slightly trying to use my success with rebuilding Vakulenko to make money.

I have coached other players who can beat players like Vakulenko 6-0, 6-0. Most ATP players ranked in the 1000s could beat her 0,0. And guys ranked in the 1000s are generally just solid juniors or college level players. That said, rebuilding Vakulenko is nothing for me to brag about at all.

(Ana and Melody Snelen talking before Ana’s Final match)

Yet, though the past is the past and I have moved on long ago, I have recently discovered significant proof which seems to show Vakulenko has attempted to harm Ana’s blossoming pro tennis career.

Yes, Ana. A girl who has never even met Vakulenko. A girl who has dedicated her life to Christ and to helping others. A young person trying to make something of herself in a tough world.

The proof which has been brought to me has me thoroughly disappointed with Julia Vakulenko.

Yet, before I share more publicly, I want to make sure what I have been shown is 100% true, though given the sources I have no reason to doubt its authenticity. And if this information is proven false or even only 99% true, I’ll be more than happy to report that as well.

I could film a 10 hour documentary on the ridiculous Vakulenko soap-opera I’ve endured, but suffice to say you now have a better understanding of why I had no interest in training a Ukranian.

(Me looking on as Ana is winning her first ITF Pro Circuit title!)

As you can see, when Rachel called to inform me of Anastasia’s situation and told me she was a Ukrainian, I was less than thrilled. But, Rachel made a good argument and helped me get past my issues to see Ana’s desperate need.

Thank God!

(Ana hitting inside-out forehand during Final)

Ana quickly flew to Florida and escaped her abusive situation. It was a pretty funny scene as we both stared at each other in the Daytona airport. I didn’t trust Ukranians and she didn’t know who the heck I was!

Weeks later, Anastasia became a Christian and I became her legal guardian. And now she is my “adopted daughter!”

Anastasia’s story brings to mind Luke 15:4-7

4. What man of you, having a hundred sheep, and having lost one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it? 5. And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing.

6. And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and his neighbors, saying unto them, Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost. 7. I say unto you, that even so there shall be joy in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, (more) than over ninety and nine righteous persons, who need no repentance.

Ana has worked hard from the first day she trained with me. She is relentless in her ability to push her body as far as it will go. Her athletic genes she received from her father, who was a Ukrainian track star, have helped her tremendously.

Yet, what impressed me more about Anastasia is her hunger to improve in all areas of her life. Once she became a believer in Christ, Ana began reading every book she could on the Christian faith.

(Ana shaking hand with Nowak after easily defeating her 6-3, 6-1 in the Final. Ana didn’t drop a set the entire tournament)

This is especially impressive when you consider she had never read a book in English before!

Ana thoroughly enjoyed attending church, studying her Bible, and attending Christian conferences and concerts. Like a sponge she soaked it all in.

After much work improving upon Ana’s strengths in tennis, rebuilding her weaknesses, and defining her style of play, Ana hit the junior circuit in Florida… and went undefeated.

(Even though she easily won the Final, several aspects of her game needed to improve before the next tournament, so we went right to work after she shook the chair umpire’s hand.)

Anyone watching Anastasia compete understands she has the potential to become a professional tennis player. Yet, there is a great distance between juniors and pros.

Even a junior as talented as Ana, who clearly is equal to any top 10 ITF ranked junior, is currently only at a level to be competitive with players ranked 250 WTA and below.

Study top 100 ranked WTA players and you quickly realize the “overnight sensations” often took between 4 and 7 years competing on the ITF pro circuits to gain a high enough ranking to compete at WTA tour level events.

For Ana, this is year number two in her development.

(Ana speaking with the media after winning the first tournament. She spent most of her interview talking about Jesus. The entire interview was aired on Nigerian TV)

Currently, Ana is not thinking about competing in WTA level tournaments. She knows her upcoming new WTA ranking of approximately 725 is good, but nothing spectacular and that she has a lot of improving to do on her game.

She is enjoying training and traveling with her friends on the ICTA Women’s Pro Tennis Team. Ana is a Christian missionary spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ to those she meets.

(After each match, Ana jogged 2 to 3 laps with a local youth before stretching)

While tennis is important to her, she knows God may have other plans for her life.

To say I was extremely glad for Anastasia as she won her first ITF Pro Circuit title would be an understatement.

(Rachel Snelen and Ana going back to hotel after Ana’s tournament victory)

She has worked hard and completely deserves to win. No one anywhere has worked harder.

Anastasia Kharchenko has beaten the odds and has earned a rare WTA ranking. Along the way God has been working in her life and teaching her life is about helping others, not herself.

Congratulations Ana!

You’ve done a great job on and off the tennis court.

(Local Nigerian woman we passed while driving to hotel helped to keep things in perspective)

You know God has blessed you with an ability to use your life for His will to be done.

The willingness you have to appreciate God’s blessings and use them to share His name to others is an inspiration.

Most people reading this article have little knowledge of the abusive damage done to players by the tennis system as they attempt to rise to the top of the pro rankings.

Julia Vakulenko and Anastasia Kharchenko are prime examples of great kids who have been battered by dysfunctional, criminal tennis coaches in a truly Godless international tennis industry.

(Ana and I sitting together developing friendships with locals during Rachel Snelen’s doubles match)

As a person who works full time in tennis as a missionary and ministry founder, I can assure you demonic spiritual warfare is alive in tennis and working to destroy as much as possible.

Honestly, I don’t blame someone like Vakulenko for being who she is. She can’t help it. The tennis system has used and abused players for a long time. Top players often have no idea how to be kind and giving, functional, Christ-like.

But, I do hold players like Vakulenko accountable for their pathetic actions. Such players cannot continue to be the moral compass of professional tennis and the example for youth to follow.

The only compass in tennis must be Jesus Christ. Not me, not you, not Ana or Julia… Jesus Christ crucified and nothing else.

(Me reading and giving away Gospel tracts to local youth)

Organizations, such as the International Christian Tennis Association, must be willing to take on the tough tasks of developing top players and giving them the opportunity to travel worldwide in the name of Christ.

Tennis players can be developed as Christian missionaries. Junior, pro, and college tournaments can be developed as a gathering place to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Tennis industry companies, such as racket and string manufacturers, can be developed based solely on Christian principles.

Tennis academies can be developed to add Christian values to the lives of those attending.

People in tennis worldwide are among the wealthiest and most influential in the world…

…reach them and you can win nations for Christ.

God bless,

Coach Scotty

Trying to find the right words to explain the impact the Nigerian people have had on my life will be difficult.

(pic of me with Nigerians God sent to guide and protect us)

To witness the love of Christ unconditionally flowing from people living in 3rd world poverty has rocked me to my core.

The people I met and spent time with didn’t keep calling Jesus “awesome” and “indescribable” when speaking of Him like I so often hear in America. They worshiped Him in trembling and fear and total trust.

I was blown away by the power of their faith and trust in God under such extreme, harsh conditions. Starving kids, little electricity, few police, sparse sanitation….

In Benin City, Nigeria, I personally battled with two thoughts on a constant basis… “I want to leave right now.” and “I never want to leave.”

(pic of me on trash heap inside Nigerian National Tennis Center)

While unbelievable poverty took my breath away, their love of Jesus under such conditions breathed it back in.

My spoiled rotten, pathetically American, Christian viewpoint was quickly confronted by the reality of the Gospel being lived through the Nigerians God placed in my path.

Daily I struggled to not vomit as I openly was exposed by a patient God to my own disgusting, obviously trendy American view of worship of Him.

(pic of Rachel and Melody Snelen, and Anastasia Kharchenko, with highly select youth attending tournament)

I am truly horrified at my inner lack of true knowledge of what it means to love Jesus with all my heart, and I am grateful for the Nigerians in Benin City who live to serve Christ in trembling and fear.

My eyes have been opened to the fact that my life and my ministry have simply been spiritually dead, though it never felt that way until I was confronted with Jesus speaking through His African followers directly to the lies I had bought into and made a lifestyle, lies that many American Christians call their own.

To say I am ashamed is a gross understatement.

(pic of Benin primary school)

Please don’t feel badly for me or try to console me. That’s not what I want or need.

I’m just being open with God’s work in me these last 3 weeks and I hope someone, somewhere can learn from my mistakes.

What I can say is that I hope and pray every American can have the God-blessed opportunity to spend a day, a week, a month, or a lifetime in Benin City, Nigeria. You might come alive in ways you may never have known possible. God’s glory will truly be revealed to you as it was to me.

Honestly, in the beginning of scheduling our ICTA Women’s Pro Tennis Team tours for 2008, I didn’t really want to go to Nigeria.

(pic of Anastasia Kharchenko hitting a swinging volley winner.)

It was too far away, too expensive, too dangerous, too different.

But, after prayer, I knew God was calling our ICTA Women’s Pro Tennis Team to go to Benin City, and he opened all doors to make it happen.

My role in the trip originally was to go for just 4-5 days to help the girls arrive safely. God had other plans for my time.

Upon arriving in Benin, after a 29 hour journey, it was obvious to see the love the people have of Jesus. Benin is a Christian stronghold, the last in Nigeria. It is also the country’s capital.

Two thing first overwhelmed me about Benin… the love they have of Jesus, and the unbelievable poverty.

During the first week, God led Nigerians to us to form a team. One by one Nigerians with special skills felt called to offer help. I curiously watched these people be placed in our path. As I know how God works, I knew He had something planned!

Let me first give a quick background of Nigeria and it’s capital, Benin. Nigeria is the largest oil producer in Africa and the 11th largest in the world. It is the world’s 8th largest exporter of crude oil.

(pic of Rachel Snelen reading the Bible to Nigerian youth)

Why such poverty then? The Nigerian government is ridiculously corrupt.

Nihu Ribado, the chairman of the EFCC, alleges past Nigerian leaders have stolen over 550 billion dollars of revenue since independence from England was established about 40 years ago.

To really appreciate this amount, realize it is 6 times the amount it cost to rebuild Europe under the Marshall Plan after World War II, with dollars adjusted for today’s inflation.

Basically, Benin should be one of the richest cities in the world… like Dubai.

Unfortunately, radical Islam has rooted itself in northern Nigeria. The Niger Delta region has 12 year old kids with machine guns claiming they’re sent by God to kill infidels, which is anyone non-Muslim.. The potential oil money from gaining control of Nigeria is huge. The money could wage an unbelievable Holy War.

While coaching Anastasia during the two ITF Pro Tournaments and leading the missions team, I noticed something very troubling happening in Benin, particularly with the kids.

(Anastasia Kharchenko running forehand during match in which she qualified for a WTA ranking)

Radical Islam was seeking to gain a foothold in Benin using youth sports.

At first I doubted myself as to what I was seeing. I stayed quiet and kept my eyes open.

But God clearly opened my eyes further. Since I spread the Gospel of Jesus through sports, I recognized radical Islam using sports to further their agenda.

God then used Ana to show me a newspaper article, which tied everything together and gave me proof, the serious proof I needed.

I spoke with a trusted friend from Benin. He told me I am in great danger. He knew the power of my accusations, information, and logical argument, when combined with the proof I had gathered, would cause a surge of anger from Muslims in power and place me in harm’s way.

To make a long story short, the largest church in Africa has been alerted to my findings. They had know Islam has been attempting to infiltrate Benin, but did not know youth sports was a vehicle.

Islam wants the oil money and more radical teenage holy warriors. They are attempting to gain the allegiance of youth through daily gaining their trust through sports. It is a technique which has been used for centuries, and one that I use as well to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ. As such it was easy for me to see, much like it is easy for one tennis player to recognize another by the way they dress, speak, act, etc.

My last week in Benin was spent developing a plan in cooperation with Nigerian Christian youth sports leaders and pastors. I gave many TV interviews speaking about Jesus, formed a strong team to expose Islam through media, educated one of Nigeria’s foremost sports development experts, and helped plan an informative booklet.

Hopefully, it’ll help.

On another note, during this entire journey of deepening our faith and commitment to Jesus, our ICTA Women’s Pro Tennis Team team competed in two ITF pro tournaments.

(Anastasia Kharchenko holding her trophy for winning both ITF pro circuit tournaments held in Benin)

Rachel and Melody Snelen, Anastasia Kharchenko, and the rest of the ICTA Women’s Pro Tennis Team held an amazing outreach in Benin. More about this will be written in our developing blog dedicated to Nigeria.

For now, thank you for your prayers and support of the International Christian Tennis Association.

I’d like to leave you with an email which was sent to me by the dad of one of my longtime students, Newbie. I did not have email access to read it until two nights ago when I returned home. The timing of when he sent it as compared by the amazing events unfolding in Benin gave me goose bumps and chills.

Thank you all for your prayers. Because of your faithfulness, an Islamic plan to militate youth has began to be thwarted. I think you’d all agree it would be much better for Benin youth to have tennis rackets in their hands instead of machine guns.

The danger we experienced was real, but God’s hand and provision was everywhere.

God bless, Scott Paschal

————————-

Hey Scotty:

A funny thing happened to me this morning. I was doing my workout and God spoke to me and said, “Pray for Scotty, right now.” It was about 9 am. I got down on my knees and prayed that God would be with you and cover you with the blood of Jesus to keep you from all harm.

I prayed too that God will pour out His love on you; fill your heart with all the love that is in His, because He loves you and delights in you. I felt too, that you were under attack, and that God wanted me to share these verses with you:

The LORD bringeth the counsel of the heathen to nought: he maketh the devices of the people of none effect.
The counsel of the LORD standeth for ever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations….
Behold, the eye of the LORD is upon them that fear him, upon them that hope in his mercy;
To deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine.
Our soul waiteth for the LORD: he is our help and our shield.

For our heart shall rejoice in him, because we have trusted in his holy name. Psalm 33:10-11 and 18-21.

He also gave me these verses from Acts for you: Refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought, But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found to fight against God. Acts 5:38-39

For the past few days, you have been on my mind and in my prayers. God seems to be telling me that He loves you so much He wants to pour His love and peace into your heart until your heart is so full of God’s love that it just pours over into the lives of all those you touch.

God sees your heart, Scotty, and He know you love Him and want to serve Him. He is blessing you right now. He loves you more than anyone and you are more precious to Him than anything on earth. You are His son, and He loves you just as He does Jesus, your older brother.

He’s asking me to share this one more verse with you: Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine. Luke 15:31.

I don’t know what this is all about, Scotty, but I do want you to know you are not alone, that you are loved and respected, and that I stand with you in all that you do.

In the Father’s love. Ken

The ICTA Women’s Pro Tennis Team is preparing for a 2 tournament tour of Nigeria, Africa.

Leaving this Wednesday, February 13, this special five member Christian tennis team will fly to Atlanta and then on to Lagos Nigeria arriving in the morning. From Lagos the team will fly to Benin City, Nigeria where they will stay for 2 weeks.

I’m going, too!

We have started a blog for you to follow the action in Nigeria. Click here.

In other ICTA news, I thoroughly enjoyed Sarasota, Florida this past week as my student and “adopted daughter” Anastasia Kharchenko competed in a tournament in which the winner receives a main draw wildcard into an ITF $25,000!

Ana competed well. She won 5 matches before falling in the final.

A highlight for me was Ana’s semifinal victory over Courtney Vernon.

Courtney was #13 G18 USTA before going on to a celebrated college tennis career at USF where she reached a national ranking of #54 in Division 1 and went 20-0 last season.

Courtney has a career highest WTA ranking of 637, and has recent straight set wins over top WTA players, such as WTA #239 Melissa Torres-Sandoval.

Ana won her semifinal match against Vernon 6-1, 6-3.

The wildcard tournament was a grueling event for all the girls. In order to compete, each entrant had to agree to play 2 singles matches per day.

Competing at the pro level is often more difficult than competing at the junior level. Players put more into each shot, and the strategies and tactics are more advanced.

I was highly impressed with Anastasia’s focus, drive, and determination as she competed in 6 matches in 3 days.

Each match was a learning experience for Ana.

I would study her strengths and weaknesses during the match, then after the match ended we would spend some time on court talking and discussing ideas on what she did well and what needed to improve.

Ana and I have a very good friendship and bond. This helps tremendously as she knows she can trust that I always have her best interest at heart.

Though the semifinal match against Courtney Vernon was fun to watch, I really enjoyed the final!

Even though Ana lost in straight sets, I had a blast watching her compete against Alexis Gordon. If you don’t know Alexis, think nationally ranked #1 NCAA D1 player in 2004 and a perennial top 15.

Alexis played an amazing match against Ana with blistering lefty forehands that painted the lines and a consistent 115 mph serve.

I was particularly impressed with Alexis’ ability to bring her best game to the final. She played by far her best tennis against Ana.

Though Ana lost in straight sets and only won 3 games total, I counted over 20 deuces and felt Ana improved from the experience…

…especially considering Alexis has had literally thousands of high level tennis matches to Ana’s dozens… and the 8 year age difference.

Ana’s ICTA Pro Team co-captain, Melody Snelen, drove Ana to the event.

They both stayed with a friend, who we’ll call Nancy, who is arguably one of the best tennis agents in America.

Nancy has over 20 years of experience working for IMG with some of the most famous WTA and ATP players in the world.

It is so great for Ana to have a friend and mentor like Melody. And it is so great for Melody to have a friend like Nancy who loves her and believes in her ministry.

The whole experience in Sarasota is a great warm up for the outreach and matches to come in Africa.  I had a great time in Sarasota and can’t wait for the flight to Nigeria!

I’m excited God is using me to mentor and disciple such great people as are on our pro tennis team. I realize this is such a privilege and cherish this season of my life.

Just thinking about God growing my big ICTA dream he placed in my heart nearly 10 years ago leaves me humbled and in awe. Now, ICTA is traveling to Africa on an outreach to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ!

Wow. I’m beyond excited to meet as many players and coaches as possible.

I look forward to giving them Christian gifts and offering for them to join the International Christian Tennis Association membership.

Plus, I so look forward to seeing what God has in store for His will in Nigeria. Please keep our missions outreach in your prayers.

The 5 member ICTA Women’s Pro Tennis Team is such a rare group of missionaries.

They love Jesus and yearn to reach the players on the WTA tour with His love and grace.

I’m fortunate to be their coach and grateful to be their friend.

Our little team is going to Africa… awesome!

God bless,

Scott Paschal

International Christian Tennis Association

Africa has been on our missions outreach radar for a while now. So much turbulence and turmoil in a country full of God’s children.

When the International Christian Tennis Association sends a missionary team to a particular region or country, we send to be a beacon of hope and light, a reflection of the love of Christ, a messenger of salvation which can only be known through Jesus.

Our missionaries and myself have decided to set the call of our own selfish wants aside, and chose to follow where God would send. I can personally attest to the fact that I am a particularly selfish person. I like what I like and I want what I want. It takes much work on a daily basis for me to be unselfish. If it weren’t for the strong call I feel on my life to follow the Great Commission as explained in Mathew’s letter…

…then I wouldn’t have driven to the doctor’s office yesterday and took a painful shot in the back of my arm to vaccinate me against Yellow Fever. I hate shots! I’d rather have my fingernails peeled off that get a shot.

This blog has been set up to share our outreach to Africa with you.

But, honestly, we have no idea if we’ll even be able to go. We want to go. We are planning to go. Yet, we have no idea if we will get to go!

Our pro and world class junior tennis player missionaries are entered into the pro tournaments and have been accepted. We have raised the needed finances to cover the larger expenses. Our schedules have been cleared to allow for up to 14 days of travel. We all had out shots. The invitation letter from Nigeria has come in. Our missionaries have their visa paperwork ready to send in…

And on Monday or Tuesday, I’ll fly directly to a Nigerian embassy to have them quickly create our visas. Then, I’ll fly back home and we’ll leave for Africa… right?

Nope. It’s never that easy. Something is going to happen!

I have never been on a successful mission trip which wasn’t constantly being battered by Satan’s goons trying to make me quit! You would not believe the demonic activity which surrounds missionary activity. It really is amazing.

So, this very well could be the only blog entry for our Nigeria outreach. Yet, even of we don’t go this time, it is still our effort to reach the lost for Christ in Benin City, so I wanted it to have it’s own blog.

Everyone reading this needs to know that Satan is seriously working to thwart our activities for Jesus. He will do the same for any authentic Christian organization.

In fact, demonic activity working to harass a ministry’s plans is one of the most effective ways to discern the authenticity of the ministry itself.

If all goes according to schedule, we’ll be in Lagos, Nigeria on February 13, 2008. Please keep our outreach in your prayers!

God bless,

Scott Paschal

International Christian Tennis Association