MAI

The vision for using soccer to reach a lost world that lead to the organization of MAI was founded by Tim Conrad in La Habra, California in 1983. In the fall of 1984, Dave Irby joined MAI as its first full time staff member. In the fall of 1987 six other men joined staff. Continued growth both in programs and personnel has been the pattern since that time.

MAI became a charter member of the International Sports Coalition in 1985 and has since joined in member with the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability (1989.)

In the fall of 1990, MAI opened up its first divisional ministry office away from the Los Angeles area. This office was headed by Jon and Ruthie Ortlip and was placed in Northern England, in the town of Bolton. In 1991 Brian and Chris Davidson opened up MAI’s second division of ministry away from Los Angeles in Charlotte, North Carolina. In 1992, Tim and Carol Conrad moved to Colorado Springs to set up MAI’s International Headquarters. 1993 saw Bill and Lisa Galipault open MAI’s fourth ministry location in the Czech Republic. And in July of 1997, the Chicago office opened under the leadership of Rick and Janice McKinley. In the late 90’s, MAI’s office in England became an independent organization under “Ambassadors in Sports.”

MAI is presently located in three states in the United States and three overseas countries. MAI has two administrative offices and three ministry offices in the United States. Executive functions are located in Charlotte, North Carolina and Mission Support Services in La Mirada, California. Ministry sites include La Mirada, California; Charlotte, North Carolina; and Chicago, Illinois. Overseas locations include the Czech Republic and Ukraine.

MAI’s main methods of evangelism and discipleship have been the organizing of soccer teams, running soccer camps and taking short-term soccer tours overseas. These main methods are augmented by other ministries, including: clinics, school programs, prison, inner city ministries; training leaders to be sports ministers and sending them out to partner with other Christian agencies using soccer.