Countdown to your PWP Project: Alumni Interview

This summer, many first time SportQuest participants have joined our SQ Family. Welcome to this great adventure! Also this summer,… Read more Countdown to your PWP Project: Alumni Interview

This summer, many first time SportQuest participants have joined our SQ Family. Welcome to this great adventure! Also this summer, many returning SQ athletes (alumni) will again travel with SQ to continue their great adventures!

We interviewed SQ Alum, Luke Dryer, from Avon, IN to help you learn more about SQ through the eyes of our alumni. Luke is a senior at Covenant Christian High School, where he plays football, and was a part of the 2016 Baton Rouge Project and 2017 San Diego Project.

I attended the SportQuest camps in Indianapolis when I was younger and always knew I wanted to participate in a project as a leader. I’ve always loved the idea of sports ministry because I’ve always had a passion for sports and missions. So when I found out about the opportunity to combine them through SQ, I knew it was something I had to be a part of.

2. What effect did the SQ experience have on you personally?

Personally, the daily quiet times, small group Bible studies, and worship and prayer times over the city at the beginning and end of the week were the most impactful. These times allowed me to get alone with God in a new atmosphere. In these times I was able to speak with God and hear Him outside of the environment I was used to. It really re-ignited my passion and love for my relationship with God.

3. What have you learned or taken away from the SQ experience that has helped you to “Play With Purpose” at home?

I think the PWP Project had a very direct impact on my football season. As a team we experienced the most success we’ve had since I’ve been here, but individually it was one of the most frustrating times in all of my playing days. However, when I remembered the experience I had and the lessons I learned during my PWP Project, it led me to question my purpose for playing football. Was it simply because I enjoyed it? Was it just to get a scholarship and play in college? Was it just to have individual success and feel validated or significant? As I pondered these questions, I realized I needed to redefine my purpose for playing. That’s when I remembered the purpose of SportQuest — to use athlete s’ passion for sports for the glory of God. This reminded me that I needed to share this same purpose. I began to be more focused on doing the best I possibly can, simply because that’s what God asks of us, and that is what glorifies Him. It also comes as no surprise that this is when I began to individually experience more success, but then my focus was on glorifying God, not myself.

4. What is your best memory from the project?

5. What was your biggest challenge during the project?

My biggest challenge was remembering it was a short-term mission trip. It is so hard to develop deep relationships with the kids in such a short time. I had to realize that I was mostly there to plant seeds in the children’s hearts, and that I may not get to see the fruit of those seeds before I had to leave.

6. What would you say to a first-time SportQuest traveler?

I would say three things. First, do not worry about the project. I was pretty nervous about being so far away from home for a couple weeks. I promise that after the first few days, you will feel right at home and by the end you won’t want to leave. As I mentioned earlier, you will grow close to those with you on the trip, and it will be a really great and comforting experience. I would also advise you to remember (unlike I did) that it is a short-term mission trip. You probably won’t see a kid’s life radically change before your eyes over the course of time you are on the project. While this would be the ideal situation, the reality is this is rarely happens in such a short amount of time. However, I would encourage you to make the most of every moment you have with the kids precisely because the time is so short. Love on them and show them God in everything you do.  Trust that the SQ Staff and others who live there year-round will continue to invest in their lives and cultivate the seeds you have planted.  Lastly, I would say to make sure you are taking the time to be spiritually fed on the trip. You will be pouring out so much as a leader, and it is so important to not burn out. Even outside of the trip, as leaders at your school, on your team, and in your communities, you need to remember to continually be filled spiritually. As leaders we shouldn’t just pour out into others, but rather continually be filled and let the overflow of our spirit fill others.

That’s some great advice!  We are so thankful for young people like Luke whom God is using to make a big impact in our PWP Projects as well as at home.  I hope you are encouraged by Luke’s experience and insights.  I know God will honor your courage to step out in faith and participate in a project this summer, and He will use you powerfully.