The PWP Internship Experience

December 11, 2018

Macey and Dani share about the impact of their PWP Internship experience.

It was 6 AM, and fifteen PWP Project athletes were sitting in a circle, running on less than five hours of sleep. Rather than taking the hour before breakfast to get more sleep during the busy training camp, these high school and college students were up for one reason: to sing and worship God together. Still half asleep herself, Dani walked into the room, surprised and awakened by their great hunger and deep desire for God. During their 2018 summer internship experiences with SportQuest, Dani Goodyke and Macey McCune got to be a part of many moments such as these as they served in leadership roles on summer PWP projects, encountered God’s grace, and used their athletic talent for God’s Kingdom.

Macey McCune was an intern for the San Diego project – her third time serving with SportQuest in San Diego. Originally from Boyd, Texas, Macey attends Texas Women’s University, where she plays intramural volleyball and basketball. Around the world in Europe, Dani Goodyke served as an intern in Belgium. Dani, who’s from Michigan, attends Muskegon Community College, where she has played soccer for two seasons. Her first SportQuest experience was three years ago when she participated in the Belgium project.

Both Macey and Dani applied for the internship for similar reasons. Macey wanted to get out of her comfort zone and felt God “putting it on my heart to take a step of faith and see if maybe I have future in sports ministry.” Dani wanted to grow in her faith and also felt the Holy Spirit “tugging on my heart to take more of a leadership role in this ministry.”

Along the way, both girls ran into challenges. Dani saw her perfectionism as she hit many roadblocks while planning the Belgium PWP project, and then she encountered reverse culture shock when she returned home to Michigan. Macey struggled with the transition from simply being a team member to now being in a leadership position and having to hold her teammates accountable to project guidelines and expectations. However, these challenges were overcome by reminders of the truth. Dani was reminded that there is no such thing as “qualified enough” but that she is qualified by having “a heart for the Lord and sharing His truth and love with others.” She went on to add, “God showed me time and time again that He is with me and will not forsake me in my trials and tribulations.” Macey overcame these challenges by reminding herself to lead by example.

Macey and Dani’s experience leading the PWP Project teams and coaching kids during camp was extremely rewarding. Macey got to lead the volleyball camp and watched athletes and coaches “flourish into amazing leaders and disciple makers!” Reflecting back, Dani pointed out that the week of training for interns really prepared her for the internship, not only logistically but also on a heart level. She was so grateful for SQ staff members, Becky Bowden and Danielle Thomas, who “prayed with us, talked with us about the inner struggles of our hearts, and met us where we were individually in our faith journey. This gave us confidence to be able to disciple others in the same way they invested in us.”

Their advice for those who are interested in becoming a SportQuest intern is to “go for it!” because, according to Macey, “You will see major growth in your leadership abilities, and your own walk with God will be strengthened.” Dani was really stretched in her faith, pushed out of her comfort zone, and felt equipped to share her faith. Since returning home, she has led worship at her church, started a weekly Bible study in college with her roommates and teammates, and started accountability groups with hometown friends. Both girls fundraised by sending out support letters. According to Macey, it was incredibly helpful, and she found that people were very motivated to give when she told them about the work she would be doing with SportQuest and how it would impact God’s Kingdom. Dani also spoke in front of her church and handed out letters, but she had other fundraising ideas too, such as a worship night where those who attend could donate.

While the two were challenged emotionally, physically, and mentally, they saw how fulfilling and life-changing their experience was as interns. Both Dani and Macey gained so much from the SportQuest internship, and it has had incredible, far-reaching impact, not only in their lives but also in God’s Kingdom.

Dani wishes that she had known “how much I was going to miss it and given more energy and enthusiasm into each day, pausing in the beautiful moments to take it all in.” Macey said, “I honestly had no idea what to expect coming into the internship, but I knew we would be doing work for the Kingdom and that is all that matters. I can now say that the experience went above and beyond my expectations.” As a result of this experience, God’s calling on Macey and Dani’s life has been clarified and intensified, and it’s going to be so exciting to watch how God works in and through each of their lives!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Kaitlyn Hyun, from Fairfax, Virginia, is a second year student at the University of Virginia. Although she is undecided about her major, Kaitlyn intends to pursue full-time missions or ministry. She plays tennis and has been on the SportQuest San Diego PWP Project team for three years.

Sports Camp in Ukraine

By rance.bland • November 8, 2023
Sports Camps bring the peace of Christ in the midst of war

Ashley's Story: Rooting Young People in a Solid Foundation

By rance.bland • August 25, 2022
Ashley (Fisk) Feister served with SportQuest in Belgium from 2004 - 2008. These were pivotal years in her life that laid a solid foundation for what God is calling her and her family to do today. Ashley and her husband, David, lead a discipleship program for young adults that combines hands-on farming, outdoor adventure, and deep biblical training called Planted Gap Year.

Soccer, Faith and Fitness Bring Families Together in Venezuela

By angela.blackwell • March 31, 2022
For Yackencys Domínguez Trías, enrolling her 10-year-old daughter Georgette Medina in a SportQuest soccer program resulted in several unexpected benefits. While watching her daughter practice, Yackencys saw a group of women exercising and learning about Christ. She wanted to join this community of women and decided to get involved. Today, Yackencys is part of the Vida Fitness Team and works out while Georgeth learns soccer skills. Both mother and daughter have embraced Christ and are becoming devout followers. More than 90 children participate in the SportQuest soccer academy and fitness program located in Maturin, Monagas in eastern Venezuela. SportQuest Partner Cesar Daniel Bermudez runs the program and has a dream that it will grow to serve 500 youth. Residents in this community face many challenges including poverty, dysfunctional homes, alcoholism, and drug addiction. “We have seen how the different sports and fitness programs have allowed children and their parents to play sports and go to church together,” Cesar says. “Children and youth play sports and are discipled. Mothers attend daily fitness training and learn the Word of God. Fathers are invited to participate in games to connect with their children and also to learn about the Lord. As a result, several participants have made their confession of faith, have been baptized, and attend church regularly.” Santiago Salazar met Jesus through soccer. At 14 years old, in the middle of a biblical teaching, Santiago accepted Christ into his life. In December 2021, he was baptized and today he attends church on a consistent basis. As prepares to be a professional soccer player, he is also learning how to share his story and his love of Christ with others. Great things are happening in Venezuela through sports and fitness while learning about Christ. Praise God!
Share by: