Chicago Eagles - Staff Profiles

Chicago Eagles Staff

Aaron and Christine Faro

Joining the Summer Academy 2008 are Aaron and Christine Faro. They met at Messiah College and got married in 2003. They have been serving with Missionary Athletes International (MAI) in various capacities since ’03.

Aaron is a sports ministry veteran with a real passion for ministry among high school and college athletes. He has seen the powerful influence for spiritual growth that is fostered in a team setting both in his own life and in the lives of others. Aaron was an All-American at Messiah College, and has played professionally with the Charlotte Eagles since 2003. His coaching experience includes two national championships in the National Christian Athletic Association (NACA), as well as being named NACA Coach of the Year in 2005.

Christine brings a great deal of experience in coaching and athletic training combined with a heart for young women. Her passion is to see young women grow in the Lord, and combat the lies that they face in today’s world. She was a collegiate volleyball player at Messiah, and has served as a middle school P.E. teacher and volleyball coach, as well as a fitness instructor and personal trainer at the Siskey YMCA in Charlotte, NC.

Aaron is the men's coach and ministry leader for Summer Academy '08. Christine will serve as the women's ministry director and conditioning coach for SA'08. They are excited to use their passion and experience within the Academy setting. To reach Aaron and Christine, you may email them at afaro@charlotteeagles.com.

Rick and Janice McKinley

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 now have four children - Lauren, Joshua, Lindsay and Joe. Since 1987, they have served on fulltime staff with MAI. While in the L.A. office, Rick served as MAI's National Camp Director.

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 25 years. He is currently coaching boys U15. 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 and Margreet Dusek

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’s Fackelbararna 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.

Jonathan and Deb Veach

Jonathan and Deb Veach work part time with the Eagles (since 2005) and are in the process of raising support for full time ministry.

Both Jonathan and Deb grew up playing sports through the collegiate level. Jonathan grew up in Illinois, playing baseball, wrestling and football. Deb grew up in Michigan, participating basketball, volleyball, hockey and various other sports. They met at Judson College where Deb played soccer for a season and Jonathan played baseball for a season.

Deb currently works at Linden Oaks Hospital. Jonathan is in the process of starting deaf camps, as well as initiating a sports ministry at their church.. Their heart is to reach out to the deaf community and show them their greatest potential and the love of Christ.

They were married June 5, 2005 and currently have no children, other than Wrigley (right). You can reach Jonathan and Deb at jonathan@chicagoeagles.com.

Chris & Cheryl Smith

Chris and Cheryl are just beginning

their journey with MAI. The call to

full-time 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.

Chris will be involved with assisting Rick McKinley with the collegiate summer academy program,

discipling collegiate athletes, and supporting the computer systems within the Chicago office. Cheryl’s

background as administrative assistant and computer trainer will be put to use part-time in the office.

Chris has a State E coaches license and has coached youth soccer for the last 10 years and currently

is coaching the local high school's boy's freshman soccer team. He is also certified to referee both

club and high school soccer games. Chris also is certified to coach Special Olympics basketball and

track and field. To reach Chris, please email him at chris@chicagoeagles.com and to reach Cheryl,

email her at cheryl@chicagoeagles.com.

Steven & Krista Cox

Steven first came to Chicago in 2001 to play on the PDL

team. Throughout his collegiate career he spent his

summers serving the Lord through sports ministry. Upon

graduation from Houghton College he pursued staff with

MAI. In 2005 he returned again to be on staff with the

Summer Academy. Krista came on staff that same

summer. That fall, after the Academy was over, marked

the beginning of their relationship. That following summer

they were married. They are currently on staff part time,

taking this year to enjoy the transition of married life and

to pray about where the Lord is leading them as a couple

in sports ministry.

The Lord has used the summer academy to impact their

lives tremendously; they are excited to be able to be part

of this ministry. Their desire is to see God glorified in all

that they do. To reach Steven, please e-mail him at

steve@chicagoeagles.com