Mission
Developing Contenders Ministries exists to glorify and enjoy God by building up men pursuing Christ-likeness, uncompromising biblical conviction, and courageous action in the strength of the Holy Spirit.
Vision
Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints (Jude 3).
Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love (1 Cor. 16:13-14).
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These two brief and glorious texts call Christians to live for the glory of God at all times and in all ways.
Jude was compelled to exhort Christians to continually, with intensive force, contend earnestly for the Christian faith. The objective, revealed, and unchanging truth of God is a holy treasure entrusted to the saints. We, like an athlete in competition or soldier entrusted with the task of standing guard, have a moral obligation to stand on and for the precious truth found in sacred Scripture.
Paul concludes his first letter to the Church at Corinth by giving five commands: be alert, stand firm, act like men, be strong, and do everything in love.
It is our desire to obey not only these passages but the entire Word of God, and to encourage other men to likewise live in this manner. Together we will pursue Christ-likeness, increasingly becoming godly men of conviction rooted in the Scriptures and courageous men of action as we walk by faith in the strength and power of the Holy Spirit - fearing God rather than men. We will do this seeking always to love the Lord our God with all our heart, mind, soul, and strength; and, to love others as ourselves.
Developing Contenders Ministries is eager and willing to serve you through biblical admonition, counseling, exhortation, fellowship, prayer, and study. Please let us know how we can best minister into your life.
Athletes Abroad for Christ
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Developing Contenders
The beginnings of Developing Contenders Ministries date back to the mid-1990’s.
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Originally established as Athletes Abroad for Christ, the early direction was to minister internationally through the medium of professional baseball. A significant development in the life of AAFC occurred in the late 1990’s. Former Major Leaguer Dave Nilsson, an Aussie, took over the International Baseball League of Australia (IBLA) —a developmental league for minor league players from Australia, New Zealand, America, and Asian professional baseball. Nilsson invited Chris Bando and Mark Dewey, along with others, to relocate to Australia to play, coach, and, most importantly, to spread the gospel and to mentor and disciple athletes in the IBLA.
When the league ownership changed, Chris and Mark returned to the U.S. where they resumed their ministry to MLB and MiLB players domestically. AAFC activities over the years have included an expanse of ministries to athletes and their families. Among them have been the sponsorship and leadership of Bible conferences and marriage retreats; small-group Bible studies, both in person and via web conferencing; speaking at churches and Christian gatherings; youth baseball clinics; the production and distribution of daily printed devotionals; daily audio Biblical exhortations; a weekly podcast of contemporary developments in Major League Baseball from a biblical perspective; and personal evangelism, discipleship, and mentoring.
Chris and Mark have each traveled extensively throughout the world in varying evangelistic capacities, serving not only AAFC but also representing other Christian sports ministries. Though they hope to include the resumption of some international travel as COVID-era restrictions abate, their primary ministry thrust has evolved to become, and is expected to remain, targeted to athletes in American professional baseball.
Our recent name change to Developing Contenders Ministries reflects Mark’s and Chris’ passion to build up strong and uncompromising believers amidst an increasing and unrelenting current of hostility to God’s Truth. Jude’s biblical entreaty to “contend earnestly for the faith” requires continual courage, conviction, and confidence in these days of pervasive heresy.