The story of CSMA “Christian Sports Medicine Alliance” started in the summer of 1995. While working at the 1995 All Africa Games in Harare, Zimbabwe I was given a vision of how Sports Medicine could and should be used to share Jesus Christ. As I was getting ready for the opening ceremonies of the Games, I was given a specific verse from the book of Habakkuk 1:5, “Look at the Nations and be utterly amazed for I am going to do something in your midst that you would not believe even if you were told.” As I was reading this verse I really did not think too much of it until I arrived at the opening ceremonies. Sitting in the bleachers of the massive Zimbabwe National Stadium wondering what I was doing there and how I could be used by God to share my faith, it just seemed impossible that I was going to be used as a Athletic Trainer.

Then it happened with the Parade of Nations. The nations from fifty-three African countries started to march into the stadium holding their countries flag, telling what country they were from when God in my spirit brought the verse back to my mind. In that still, small voice He said to me “Paul, look at the Nations and be utterly amazed for I am going to do something in your midst that you would not believe even if you were told.”

The games went on for the following two weeks and I began to see how God was using me as an Athletic Trainer. I had the opportunity to work with athletes from many African nations by treating, evaluating, and caring of their injuries. I realized the awesome opportunity and impact that Sports Medicine could and should have on the world’s athletes. There is no better combination than to use the gift of athletic training/sports medicine around the world while sharing the love of Jesus Christ. Now, over a decade later, God has brought CSMA full circle. CSMA (with the guidance of God) desires to be the Sports Medicine vehicle to take the gospel of Jesus Christ around the world. CSMA wants to give as many Sports Medicine professionals the opportunity to answer the call on their lives to use the gift of Sports Medicine to impact the world for Christ and make Him known. Our motto at CSMA is “medicine with a mission.” We hope and pray you will join with us on this exciting journey of hope and faith.

Paul