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Brent and Stephanie Batiste

Brent and Stephanie Batiste

NIU Athletes in Action, DeKalbhttps://give.cru.org/0471575

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Brent came to Christ as a freshman in college. Having no real interest in God or any type of religion he sought fulfillment in the pleasures of the world. That world came tumbling down in 1990 when everything that he was putting his trust in fell apart. The Lord had placed another student in his life that had a very similar background and yet he had recently turned his life over to Christ and was involved in CCC. God used that friendship to lead Brent to the Savior. He gave his life over to Jesus and the Lord immediately began to transform Brent from the inside out.

Stephanie first heard the Gospel while visiting with her sister. Her sister became a Christian while in college. Years later, while Stephanie was visiting her sister and her family they took her to church and it was there that she heard for the fist time that “not everyone is a child of God”. Later she read through the Four Spiritual Laws booklet that her sister had set on the nightstand of the guest room in which she was staying. It was that night that Stephanie embraced Christ and became a true child of God.

Our History

While in college, Brent & Stephanie were actively involved in CCC at Illinois State University. Before joining the staff of CCC, Brent & Stephanie were both school teachers. Brent taught K-5 physical education and Stephanie taught first grade. During our years of teaching we were serving at our church in the college and career ministry. Our passion to reach and disciple college students continued to grow and we sensed the Lord redirecting our lives. We joined the staff of Campus Crusade For Christ in 1997. We have seen God’s hand moving in the lives of young people in some incredible ways at NIU. Many students have left destructive lifestyles and embraced Christ, others who have grown up in Christian homes have for first time really made their faith their own, and so many more have graduated and entered the workforce to make a difference for Christ as business professionals, nurses, teachers, and leaders in the church. Nothing excites us more than to see students wholeheartedly following after the Lord. We have just completed our fifteenth year of ministry at NIU and really sense the Lord has us here to make a difference for Christ in the lives of young people for years to come.

Our Mission

Brent is the director of the Athletes In Action ministry at Northern Illinois University. Most of Brent’s time is invested in training our staff and students. He spends his days meeting with young believers and training and equipping them: Modeling a lifestyle of discipleship & evangelism, encouraging students to live out what they are reading in God’s Word, and helping students effectively communicate the Gospel to lost people.Stephanie serves right alongside Brent on campus giving leadership to the women’s side of the ministry. She also channels much of her time and energy into being a lighthouse in our community. She has been leading women’s Bible studies in our neighborhood for years. God has brought woman who wouldn’t normally be in church into the Bible Study and lives are being impacted in exciting ways! It has been a joy to see many of these woman and their families get involved in the local church. We have four children, Abigail, Hannah, Hope, and Jacob.Our Current Need We are personally responsible for seeking partners who would come alongside us to help support the mission on campus. After serving for fifteen years we are at a point where we need to strengthen our team of financial partners. We currently need to raise $800.00 in monthly support. We are trusting the Lord to raise this up before the end of the year so we can fully engage in the work. We would cherish your prayerful consideration of locking arms with us.

What People Are Saying

“Athletes In Action is exactly what student athletes and coaches need.  Brent & Stephanie have made an incredible difference in my life and in the lives of my players.  Their influence and example have been amazing!

Kathi BennettNIU Head Women’s Basketball Coach

“AIA has had a tremendous impact on my life. While playing soccer at NIU I learned to trust and depend on God for everything...academics, athletics, as well as life outside the classroom and off the field. I learned what it meant to serve people and to make a real difference in the lives of others.” 

Ben Thomas | 2010 NIU Alumni Men’s Soccer 

“With the help of Brent over the past couple years, I have been transformed into the man I am today.  I used to be a player/student completely reliant on my own power and not that of God.  When I finally made the change, I noticed a huge transformation in my life.  God has presented me with a multitude of opportunities and successes to further His work.  It has truly been the best couple years of my life REALLY knowing God and everything he has in store for me, and I know there are still great things to come!”

Chandler Harnish | NIU Alumni and Indianapolis Colts Quarterback

Partner with Us

Pray

  • Lifting up the requests we share with you through our monthly prayer letter. 
  • Have your small group adopt us or a particular athletic team at NIU to pray for.
  • Come to campus for a prayer walk

Give

Your financial support of the Lord’s work on campus will allow us to be freely focused on the mission. Our team of partners are a critical part of what the Lord is doing in the lives of young people.

Serve

  • Cook or buy food for our evangelistic team dinners. We recently had 21 gymnasts over for dinner and a movie.
  • Bake or Buy treats that we will deliver to students, coaches, and administrators at Christmas time and during final exams.
  • Let us know who you know. You may already be connected to “athletic or academic influencers.” We would love to find out who God has sovereignly placed in your life or in the lives of those you know. These relationships could be used of the Lord to open of doors of ministry on campus.