PLEASE SUPPORT MY MINISTRY
The Mission: Reaching Triathletes and Endurance Athletes for Christ
My role is to help move others along a continuum, from lost triathletes and endurance athletes to Christ-centered laborers. Every triathlete needs to know about God’s grace so they can know God’s heart and intention, which is to have a personal relationship with them based on God’s agape love for them and unmerited favor, available because of Jesus Christ’s work on the cross. Advancing this message can only be done through empowerment from God’s spirit.
The Method:
WIN athletes to Christ
This is done through one-on-one gospel sharing, outreach events, personal testimonies, and with valuable media resources.
BUILD them up in their faith
I do this through Bible studies, one on one discipleship relationships, and written materials. I desire to equip triathletes and other endurance athletes to be lifetime laborers for Christ and equip them with the necessary tools in order to do that.
SEND them out to reach others for Christ
My intention is to help build up other believers so they may be sent into the world to share the gospel and encourage other believers to mature in their faith. Paul said to Timothy, “The things which you have heard in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.” (2 Tim 2:2)
The Missionary: About Me
I grew up in the Seattle area and was extremely involved sports my entire childhood. I started running competitively in high school and went to the University of Portland on a distance running scholarship. I graduated with a degree in Accounting and also earned an M.B.A. with a concentration in finance. I worked for Athletes in Action for three years at University of Washington, and also with Campus Crusade for 2.5 years at various small colleges.
Roles
1. Train for Professional Triathlon with the intention to use my athletic platform as an opportunity to share the gospel using my athletic platform. “How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed?
“How will they in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher?” – Romans 10:14
2. Race as a professional triathlete with the intention to glorify God in my performance.
“Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the rather than for men.” – Colossians 3:23
3. Be empowered by God’s Spirit – this will be essential, for it allows believers to race with joy, contentment, and an outward focus, while racing under the control of the flesh creates a selfish attitude that reduces athletics to a worldly pursuit.
“But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desires of the flesh.” – Galatians 5:16
4. Do the work of an evangelist. Take the initiative to share the gospel, in the power of the Holy Spirit, and leave the results up to God.
“But you, be sober in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.” – 2 Timothy 4:5
5. Write. Use gifts as a writer to find the intersection where sports and God intersects.
“For they say, ‘His letters are weighty and strong, but his personal presence is unimpressive, and his speech contemptible.” – 2 Corinthians 10:10.
6. Discipler. Disciple other Christian athletes to (a) become more like Christ and (b) be equipped with the tools necessary to share and multiply their faith.
“The things which you have heard in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.” – 2 Timothy 2:2
Methods
1. Tritheos Bible Study. This group meets 1x/month in the Seattle area, with the group receiving spiritual content via e-mail twice per month. The mission of the Tritheos small group is, “to grow closer to God, encourage, and serve the needs of one another through the sport of triathlon and other endurance sports.” It is a good entry point for those who (a) either have no church background but are interested in spiritual things, or (b) those who are not plugged into a church community and would not have regular fellowship otherwise.
2. Social Media. Continue to use facebook, twitter, strava, personal blog (www.mattsheekstriathlete.blogspot.com), and personal website (www.tritheos.com) to write on spiritual topics, triathlon related content, and find opportunities to discuss where God and triathlon intersect.
3. Race/Event Gatherings. Use races or other events to gather Christians and unbelievers to hear an inspiring message which should include a gospel or apologetics presentation. Doing a pre-race workout (such as an easy ride or open water swim), sharing a meal together, getting to train with professional athletes, hear training tips from pro athletes, may all be used at one-point or another to add value to the gathering. Any local gatherings should be viewed as an opportunity to invite more people to the Tritheos Bible Study.
My commitment to my partners:
1) to work diligently as unto the Lord (Colossians 3:23), to enable the continuing spread of the gospel,
2) to regularly let you know how God is using this ministry, and
3) to pray for you and share personal requests.
Financial Support
Your partnership will make a difference in reaching people for Christ. ‘God loves a cheerful giver’ (2 Corinthians 9:7). Any financial support will be prioritized to first go towards direct ministry activities, then race and travel expenses, and finally personal expenses which enable me to continue using my athletic platform to glorify God.
Giving can be done on an on-going or one-time basis.
Thank you for encouraging my desire to bring the gospel to the triathlon community!
In Christ,
Matt Sheeks