With the end of the school year just weeks away, many students are looking to fill their summer schedules. Rachel Bankson and Janae Blea are two seniors that have connected their passion for sports with an internship focused on a mission.

“I want others to be successful,” Bankson said. “It’s really cool knowing God is working with us.”

Majoring in physical education, Bankson sees her internship with Undercharted Water Sports Ministry as a right step after she graduates. Bankson was hired on to UW as a soccer coach and will serve as an example to kids.

UW is a sports ministry established in 1996 for the sole purpose of serving the vision of churches. In 1999, the ministry had grown so much that it began a summer development program. This program has now evolved into four separate ministries: camps, church sports programs, urban ministry and international ministry. Each one still maintains the same mission, which is to impact local communities with the gospel.

Bankson is part of the yearly summer camp program that oversees about 100 college students. She will take part in coaching teams of five, and through her love for soccer, she hopes to connect with each kid to share Christ.

“I want to see how the Lord will work in the kids’ lives,” she said. “For me, I know that I will gain a deeper passion for praying for others.”

Fellow housemate and friend, Blea, introduced Bankson to UW. During their sophomore year, Blea saw that her friend wanted to do sports ministry. Being involved for seven years, Blea told Bankson to join.

“Rachel has been my example of compassion,” Blea said. “She has a heart for people, and she sees the good in every person.”

Majoring in Christian education, Blea will be serving her second year as a full-time intern. As an assistant basketball coach, she will be teaching kids skills of the sport and how to develop relational growth in Jesus Christ. She said that the ministry is not about coaching but about helping others.

One of the significant objectives the camps hope to achieve during the summer is leadership training. Both Blea and Bankson agree that UW has done an effective job in reaching kids and church leaders internationally. In fact, UW will be taking interns and staff to England, Haiti and El Salvador in 2010.

The same methods that are implemented for international staff will be used within the states. Blea and Bankson will be training local church leaders and volunteers to be effective in sports ministry for the cause of Christ in their community.

Both students will start their own training at four churches in Oklahoma City from June 4 to June 12. Bankson said that it was important that she got connected with a ministry that was Bible-based and UW has met her expectations so far. She thankful her friend showed her the ministry.

“Janae is very passionate for Christ,” Bankson said. “She’s been truly a good friend, and I know she is going to do awesome things for God.”

As the anticipation of a college diploma draws near, the friendship that the two have built will take its next phase in life. Although the two will separate they know God is directing their plans, and have both agreed that they would put forth the effort to stay in touch during the coming years.

Bankson and Blea would like to pursue graduate school degrees that will align them with a career in teaching. Bankson would like to study occupational therapy and exercise science and Blea would like to go to school to work in residence life.