Open Doors at the World University Games
By Kevin Cuz & Mike Tousignant
Our Athletes in Action team is back from Germany — hearts full and praising God for all He did during the World University Games! Thank you for your prayers, encouragement, and financial support. Because of you, we were able to carry the presence of Jesus into the world of elite sport.
God opened doors everywhere we went.
Though the Games were spread across six cities, we managed to visit them all — connecting with athletes, parents, and coaches in places often overlooked. From Taekwondo to Archery, Fencing to Track & Field, we showed up, waved the Canadian flag, and cheered with passion. That simple presence sparked curiosity, opened conversations, and created space to share the hope of Christ.
Berlin was just the beginning.
We were only in Berlin for three days, but the Lord wasted no time. One evening, we simply turned around and struck up a conversation with South African parents whose son was competing in the pool. To our surprise, they were believers with an incredible story of God’s miraculous provision to bring their whole family to Germany — a story they shared through tears of joy. The next day we met their son, who is exploring a future in sport ministry and has already led many of his South African teammates to Jesus. While we were with him, he suddenly became very ill and needed emergency surgery to remove his appendix. In God’s providence, much of the ministry for our American staff after we left Berlin centered around this young man, his team, and his family. That first encounter set the tone for the rest of the trip — a series of God-ordained connections we could never have planned ourselves.
Divine appointments were everywhere.
We prayed with a Canadian Taekwondo athlete longing for identity beyond medals. We had deep conversations with an American archer, an Italian basketball player, and athletes from Iran — each moment clearly orchestrated by God and covered in prayer.
The Canadian track team was a highlight.
Eight athletes already following Jesus were encouraged and united. They launched Bible studies, prayed for boldness, and began to see their sport as an act of worship. We built trust with coaches, celebrated personal bests, and reminded these athletes of their true “Audience of One.”
Through it all, we witnessed God at work — softening hearts, healing hurts, and planting seeds that will grow long after the Games.
Sequoia Church family, thank you for sending us. You were with us in every conversation, every cheer, and every prayer. Please continue to pray for lasting fruit and multiplied ministry as these athletes return to their campuses and communities across Canada and the world.
We showed up. We shared Jesus. And we will trust the results to God.
For the sake of the Gospel, Kevin & Mike
Our Athletes in Action team is back from Germany — hearts full and praising God for all He did during the World University Games! Thank you for your prayers, encouragement, and financial support. Because of you, we were able to carry the presence of Jesus into the world of elite sport.
God opened doors everywhere we went.
Though the Games were spread across six cities, we managed to visit them all — connecting with athletes, parents, and coaches in places often overlooked. From Taekwondo to Archery, Fencing to Track & Field, we showed up, waved the Canadian flag, and cheered with passion. That simple presence sparked curiosity, opened conversations, and created space to share the hope of Christ.
Berlin was just the beginning.
We were only in Berlin for three days, but the Lord wasted no time. One evening, we simply turned around and struck up a conversation with South African parents whose son was competing in the pool. To our surprise, they were believers with an incredible story of God’s miraculous provision to bring their whole family to Germany — a story they shared through tears of joy. The next day we met their son, who is exploring a future in sport ministry and has already led many of his South African teammates to Jesus. While we were with him, he suddenly became very ill and needed emergency surgery to remove his appendix. In God’s providence, much of the ministry for our American staff after we left Berlin centered around this young man, his team, and his family. That first encounter set the tone for the rest of the trip — a series of God-ordained connections we could never have planned ourselves.
Divine appointments were everywhere.
We prayed with a Canadian Taekwondo athlete longing for identity beyond medals. We had deep conversations with an American archer, an Italian basketball player, and athletes from Iran — each moment clearly orchestrated by God and covered in prayer.
The Canadian track team was a highlight.
Eight athletes already following Jesus were encouraged and united. They launched Bible studies, prayed for boldness, and began to see their sport as an act of worship. We built trust with coaches, celebrated personal bests, and reminded these athletes of their true “Audience of One.”
Through it all, we witnessed God at work — softening hearts, healing hurts, and planting seeds that will grow long after the Games.
Sequoia Church family, thank you for sending us. You were with us in every conversation, every cheer, and every prayer. Please continue to pray for lasting fruit and multiplied ministry as these athletes return to their campuses and communities across Canada and the world.
We showed up. We shared Jesus. And we will trust the results to God.
For the sake of the Gospel, Kevin & Mike