Rick and Janice have literally come full circle with MAI.  It was while Rick was in graduate school at Wheaton College that they first explored the possibility of fulltime work in sports ministry.

In 1987, the joined MAI at their original office in southern California.  In 1991, they moved to Charlotte, North Carolina, to assist in the opening of the Charlotte Eagles, MAI’s East Coast office.  In 1997, they returned to the Chicago area, to begin the work of the Chicago Eagles.

Having been a school teacher and coach for three years in Puerto Rico, Rick had seen first-hand the impact that sport, especially soccer, can have on young lives. Along with that, Rick credits a couple of Christian coaches with having a tremendous influence on his life.

Married in 1985, Rick and Janice have four children - Lauren, Joshua, Lindsay and Joe, and two chocolate labs. Since 1987, they have served on fulltime staff with MAI.  While in the L.A. office, Rick served as MAI’s National Camp Director. In Charlotte, he assisted Brian Davidson in the opening of the Eagles office, and served for six years in the development of MAI’s largest office.

Rick now serves as the director of the Chicago office, and is also teaching sports ministry courses at local Christian colleges. He holds a National Coaching License with the United States Soccer Federation (USSF), and has coached from youth to collegiate level for the past 28 years.  He is currently coaching boys U17. Janice is a part-time registered nurse, and a fulltime wife and mother.  To reach Rick and Janice, please email them at rick@chicagoeagles.com.

Jeff Dusek joined the Eagles in 2003 and is Director of Camps and Local Ministries.  His love for both kids and sports is a perfect combination for this ministry.  Jeff is responsible for working with and developing a soccer ministry both during the school year and for the Summer Academy.  He is involved with low- income, at-risk kids and local refugee kids, building relationships, showing Christ’s love, and sharing Jesus with them through soccer.  Working with the camps, he’ll be coordinating the setup, registration, training the coaches, the camp program and follow up with each partnering church for all Eagle’s camps.

Jeff coordinates the annual Chicago Eagle’s Golf Outing which is the major fundraiser of the year.  Besides raising funds for the different aspects of our Eagle’s ministry, the golf outing is a great way to share with local Christian business men and women what God is doing through our ministry. Before joining the Eagles, Jeff spend eight years as a missionary in Sweden at Torchbearer’sFackelbararna Bibel Skola, doing sports ministry, mostly through basketball.  He hosted six Eagles soccer tours from Charlotte and Chicago while in Sweden.

After graduating from North Central College in Naperville, IL (1983) and attending Taylor University in Upland, IN  (1978-1982) Jeff taught elementary school physical education from 1985-1993 in Carol Stream, IL.  He studied Bible at Ravencrest Chalet Bible School in Estes Park, CO (93-94).  Jeff played varsity basketball and baseball while at Taylor U. and varsity basketball during his year at North Central College.

Jeff & wife Margreet have been married seven years.  They met in Sweden while Margreet was attending Fackelbarara Bibel Skola.  Margreet is from IJmuiden, Holland, she speaks four languages fluently and is a great mom to Wesley (July 5, 2001) and Luuk (Oct. 9, 2004). To reach Jeff, please email him at jeff@chicagoeagles.com.

Mandy joined Eagles staff in January 2009 after spending the ’08 summer with the Academy. She is a Houghton College grad with a degree in Physical Fitness/Physical Education. Mandy played all four years at the collegiate level serving as captain and chaplain of her team. Throughout her time there, Mandy was privileged to obtain her global vision for sports ministry through multiple opportunities with our partner ministry, Sports Friends. Her desire, passion, and call to sports ministry came through multiple times spent in Ethiopia as well as guidance from Houghton’s sports ministry minded coach, David Lewis.

Mandy is the assistant director of tours, in which she plans, prepares, equips, and leads teams for internationals trips. She has a key role in administration for the Eagles, ranging from tours, academies, church partnerships, etc. Mandy also aides significantly in women’s ministry and discipleship during the summer and mentoring some of the women throughout the year. To reach Mandy please email her at, mandy@chicagoeagles.com. 

Chris and Cheryl are just beginning their journey with MAI. The call to sports ministry came during 2004. After nearly a year of prayer and research, the Smith’s reached the conclusion God was calling them to a ministry with MAI. Married in 1986, Chris and Cheryl have two children - Jonathan and Rebekah, who are twins. They all currently reside in Dousman, Wisconsin.