The Bolivia Connection

Senior VP, Al Lotz’s recent return trip to childhood home in Bolivia proved profitable.  Part of the goal was to minister directly to the staff and children at the Stansberry Orphanage (www.stansberrybolivia.com).                 Lotz states, “It was really cool seeing the children’s faces light up, when they received their new shirt, socks and cleats. What a privilege to share with them in this way!”  The team really connected with the kids and both we and they were sorry to part ways.  On the …

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Report on Lotz Peru Trip

Lotz is in Peru for Medical Work, Construction and Soccer The first week of ministry in Peru was a success doing medical work in several communities along the rivers and ground preparation for a Bible school founded to train lay pastors in the remote jungle region. In spite of rain and mud the team was able to build  a bridge over a stream to provide access for future construction of buildings on the property.  The first construction will be dorm rooms and classrooms with the hope of opening the Bible …

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Gillian’s Team Wins Championship

In her final game in Austria, Gillian McPherson (Biola University) scored the winning goal – giving her team the League Championship! A few highlights from her two years in Vienna – she made short term mission trips to Liberia and Kosovo (2); led an SBUX Bible Study, and organized the SBUX leaders Unity Dinners.

Back to Back Trips to Peru & Bolivia for Lotz

Surge VP Allen Lotz is heading back to his “roots”. Al grew up in Bolivia and will use his dual language skills, leadership experience in South America and soccer skills to support church planting, leadership development and to start a soccer camp ministry with the Stansberry orphanage in Santa Cruz, Bolivia (www.stansberrybolivia.com).  Lotz says, “this is a dream come true, to be ministering back in Bolivia, using soccer and doing so with very dear Bolivian friends.”  The purpose is not only to minister directly but to teach others how soccer …

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All-American Kinsey Chavez arrives in Vienna

SI is pleased to announce that Mid-American Nazarene University’s Academic All-American Kinsey Chavez will arrive in Vienna May 29th for soccer tryouts and to begin a year of ministry.

Irby treks to “The OC”, Mexico and Vienna

Surge CEO Dave Irby will attend a Christian businessman’s meeting this month in Orange County (CA) at the invitation of Barnabas Group founder Jim West; visit Tecate, Mexico to help plan the next project at the RSJB orphanage; and fly to Vienna the end of the month to visit with current staff and ministry partners and newest staff member Kinsey Chavez.



Sammy Surge to film first YouTube Video

Sammy Surge, Surge soccer’s “foxy” mascot will be in San Diego this month filming with his new friends Hansi and Atumbhu.  The plan is to film a fun little video to draw the young and young at heart to the team’s website www.surgesoccer.org  and Sammy’s message for children “study hard, play fair, help others”

In Vienna Young Adults go on Mission / sbux Studies Expand to USA

Young Adults from CIG (www.cigwien.at)  traveled in small teams to Liberia, Romania, Israel, and Kosovo. The church has a heart for missions, a heart for the nations.  SBUX studies are being held in 9 different SBUX locations with topics ranging from “What is the Gospel? Genesis to Revelation”to Identity in Christ, Sacred Marriage, studying the book of Romans, 1 & 2 Thessalonians and Nehemiah. SBUX has now established new locations in Georgia and Minnesota.  Starbucks has opened a new location in Vienna at Schottengasse 9, 1010. Alicia and Gerfried jumped on it and moved their Friday …

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Kosovo-Visit to Children’s Cancer Ward

Gillian McPherson, Anthony and Karissa Whitlatch are in Pristina, Kosovo on our annual mission trip from Vienna.  Pastor Mark Yocum (Calvary Chapel) took them to visit the children’s cancer ward at the local hospital.  We started an English club to introduce the community to the church’s new location, and of course there is the daily “street soccer”; this time in the pouring rain.  

Surge CEO at Christ Presbyterian

Surge CEO, Dave Irby will thank the Christ Presbyterian (Huntington Beach, CA) congregation this Sunday, February 24, for their support of the Surge’s work around the world.  Irby will briefly share his testimony and highlights from Vienna, Mongolia and Mexico.

Peru Update

Sr. VP, Al Lotz recently returned from a trip to the jungles of Peru where the team performed health and medical services, church construction and evangelism through soccer.  Al states that, “the trip was strenuous and tiring, but well worth the effort, especially after seeing the  impact we made.”  A number of people made professions of faith and it was a real encouragement and motivator for believers of several communities. Part of the purpose for the trip was to plan for future involvement in building a Bible School that will …

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March/April News From Vienna & Kosovo

Surge Vienna staff are headed to Kosovo to partner with church planter Mark Yocom in an effort to do ministry through soccer in the community where the church is located. Details are yet to be determined, but may be similar to last year’s project when Surge members were a blessing to widows and their children by serving at the Widow’s Centre and in so doing fulfilled the final phrase of our theme verse, “strive for the widow” (Is. 1:17 YLT). Other current news from our Vienna office is that Miguel …

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