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2012 MISSION TRIPS

This year's trips include:

Haiti

Senegal

South Africa

Wears Valley Ranch, TN

Learn More

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WFMP ...in the beginning

Ryan McCaffrey - For me it was such a pointed answer to prayer, it screamed of God's sovereignty! It took two passions that at times felt logistically incompatible-overseas missions and football-and blended them together into one passion. It links the messages of Wheaton Football in the present with a picture of our lives affected by Wheaton Football in the future modeled by men who were a part of Wheaton Football's past.

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Joe Davis

Offensive Coordinator

"With every swing of the hammer, dig of the shovel or broad attempt to speak the language of Wolof to interact with the Senegalese people, we felt Gods guiding hand and presence knowing that all this was for and made possible for Christ and His Kingdom."

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Over the past 13 years, the Wheaton Football team has served with both their heart and hands. Sharing with others their hearts for Jesus Christ, while using their hands to help and serve the very least of these.
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13 YEARS of serving around the world

OUR MISSION

HOW CAN YOU HELP?

VIEW PICTURES

1. Giving financially:

Each team member is required to raise money for airfare, board, and project expenses.

2. Praying for members of the team:

for personal growth (spiritually & emotionally)

for team unity, humility, and for safety.

for the image of Christ to be seen through the team in word & in deed.

for the talents and gifts of players to be used and sharpened.

OUR MISSION

Demonstrate Jesus' Incarnate love through the visible presence of His disciples to those who have need.Foster relationships and gain skills in partnership cross-culturally.Challenge college students to full-time Christian service in support of the Global church.Proclaim the good news of the kingdom of God to those young people who are without God in the areas of outreach.Provide support and encouragement to those laboring for the kingdom in far-flung places.

HOW WE STARTEDThe idea for the football ministry partnership was spawned in fall of 1999 as several players & coaches discussed the idea of assisting Wheaton Football Alumni who are serving as missionaries in far-flung places. Such an endeavor holds numerous merits-assisting the work of the Gospel in other parts of the world, building bridges between cultures, and encouraging those individuals representing the legacy of Wheaton Football who are now building God's Kingdom in distant places around the globe. This coming March spring break marks the 13th year that a team will travel abroad to partner with a former football player to encourage and assist them in their missionary endeavors.The passion motivating this mission partnership really stems from wanting to be a part of what God is doing around the globe. Specifically our goals are to (1) encourage a far-flung football alum in their fulfillment of God's calling on their life and to (2) provide space for current football players to have their world view expanded through serving, seeing new sights, engaging in new cultures, and meeting other people from around the world. These trips have become an integral addition to the Wheaton football program as they provide strategic discipleship opportunities for its players. Our desire is to each year identify alumni athletes in ministry in order to assist them over the spring break.
coach swider

Head Coach

Mike Swider

Ministry Leader

Ass't Coach Jeff Peltz

Ministry Leader

Gary Lavanchy

current missions No Frame

"For everything we did with the group at MIV, we were family and got to serve alongside of all the senior staff there and help train and model the next generation to reach Senegal for Christ."

2012 MISSIONSHAITIFor a scond year, fifteen members of the entire WFMP group will travel to Haiti to work with 2009 Wheaton College alumnus Grant and Natasha Roszkowiak who serves with Northwest Haiti Christian Mission directing an orphange based in the Bai of Mosquitos. Grant coordinates short term medical groups to meet the many physical needs of rural Haitians. Additionally, he has served as a liason and advocate for earthquake and cholera relief efforts over the past 2 years. Our team will be partnering with Grant through construction projects and through sports outreach. Our goal is to encourage him and to strengthen his ongoing efforts through tangible physical labor and through building relationships in his community.SOUTH AFRICAWe excited to again partner with JD and Barb Borgman ('64) and their ministry in and around Loskop. The Borgmans provide oversight and support for the Kwethu Children's village-an outreach to children who have been displaced from their families due to AIDS. They also invest many hours working in various ways with both the Zulu and the white farming community. As they cultivate relationships and live out their relationship with Jesus Christ, they are able to bridge the gap that still remains between the white and black Africans. Our group of 15 will be joining them in this effort to support the Kwethu Children's Village and to dialogue with the range of community members.SENEGALForty-one members of the entire WFMP group will travel to Senegal to work in five locations in partnership with 1987 alumnus Rodney and Kathy Duttweiler. WFMP has sent teams to work with Rodmey and his wife Kathy for 11 of the past 13 years and we are truly grateful for the opportunity to send teams to five diverse settings. Le PHARE This group of fourteen will be working on construction & landscaping projects at a conference center operated by United World Mission and will be assisting several local missionaries who work with the Talibe street children and teaching conversational English at two local universities. KAOLACK This site represents a strategic effort to build schools that will both educate and be a beacon of Christian witness to a predominately Muslim community. This group of six will be working with Assemblies of God missionary Guy Penney-a cohort of Rod Duttweiler. DAKAR ACADEMY A group of eleven will be serving the week at an international school that serves the missionary, diplomat, and ex-pat communities. The team will be working on a construction project as well as providing leadership for chapels, class presentations, and various sports interaction with the students. LE BANLIEUE A group of five will work for the second year with Ahmet Fall and his wife Alexia. These team members of Rod Duttweiler serve in this peri-urban area of Dakar that is home to thousand of Senegalese who have no consistant running water or electricity. The WFMP team will be representing a small local Christian church as they paint and help to rebuild flood-damaged homes. BEERSHEBA A group of five will be partnering with Aaron and Sara Toombs near the community of Mbour. The Beersheba project combines a sustainable agro- forestry program together with holistic training and an agricultural resource center for young Senegalese farmers. their end goal is to enable the Church and to transform communities. Our WFMP group will be assisting in a construction project and various agro-forestry chores. WEARS VALLEY RANCH (Sevierville, TN) A group of 5-6 from the larger WFMP team will make the inaugural partnership with 2002Alumnus Ryan McCaffrey and his wife Kit. The ranch is located at the feet of theApplachian mountains and provides a Christian home, education, and counseling tochildren in crisis situations. Their vision is to see each child inspired to follow Christ,healed from the past, and equipped to reach their potential. Our WFMP group will be participating in the work week of camp and sharing their lives with those of the students.(Ryan was a member of the first WFMP trip in 2000 to Rubio, Venezuela).
Articles

ARTICLES

March 24, 2010BY SEAN JENSEN sjensen at suntimes.comWhen he invited a special guest to work with his players this month, Kansas City Chiefs coach Todd Haley couldn't wait for him to meet Andy Studebaker, an Illinois native who graduated from Wheaton College.''I had a karate expert come in, and I told all the coaches that if we tell Andy to run through a wall, he'll be here to do it,'' Haley said Monday from the NFL owners meetings in Orlando. ''At first I was mad [Studebaker wasn't there], but then I found out he was on a trip.''An atypical one.After the NFL season, while many players vacation at five-star hotels around the world, Studebaker headed to South Africa, where he stayed at a modest hotel and worked at an orphanage for a week.Studebaker, accompanied by his wife, Mallory, led 14 current players on a spring-break trip through the Wheaton Football Ministry Partnership (WFMP). They painted and laid concrete at an orphanage established by a former Wheaton football player.''We gave [the orphanage] a face-lift,'' Studebaker said, ''and we made a big impact.''Born in Eureka, Ill., which is east of Peoria, Studebaker traveled a rural road never before taken to the NFL.A 200-pound ''athlete,'' he ended up at Division III Wheaton College, a private Christian school where he didn't play varsity as a freshman. But coaches quickly recognized his athleticism (he could stand under a basket, jump straight up and dunk a ball) and work ethic.In 2008, when the Philadelphia Eagles picked him in the sixth round, Studebaker became the first player in Thunder history to be selected in the NFL draft.''He worked himself and did everything that was asked, if not more,'' said Jeff Peltz, the school's longtime defensive line coach. ''He just wouldn't take second place.''As he developed his body and game, Studebaker easily could've transferred to a Division I program, but he didn't even seriously consider the notion.''I was having success where I was, and I enjoyed the coaches and players,'' Studebaker said. ''If good stuff was going to happen, it was going to happen there. I was there for a reason.''Man on multiple missionsHe appreciated the integrity of the coaches and players around him, including three seasons with older brother Dan on the team. During spring break, with teammates and coaches, he went on WFMP mission trips to Senegal, South Africa and Romania organized by Peltz and team spiritual director Gary LaVanchy, who co-founded the program more than a decade ago.The cost of the trip is about $2,000 per person, but Peltz said they won't let money be a ''deciding factor.'' The only requirement of anyone going is that each person send out 25 letters seeking donations and prayers.The trip is fulfilling for players because they bond with one another and help others.''It's a good chance for us to get a lot done,'' Studebaker said, ''and it's a good chance to encourage guys who are half a world away from home.''But Studebaker also helps those closer to home. Peltz said a single mom gushed about how Studebaker mentored her son for several years, something Peltz didn't learn of until after Studebaker left the school.''Andy spent time with him, he played with him,'' Peltz said. ''Even after he left [school], he was calling this boy and just kept in touch.''As this lady is talking, we're both getting kind of wet around the eyes.''Asked about the young man, Studebaker said, ''I would rather keep that private.''But Haley certainly was impressed when he heard the story.''He's just the type of player you're looking for,'' Haley said. ''He found his way into the league in a little different way, but nobody's outworked him. Then, when the opportunity came about, he took advantage of it.''Picked his momentAfter spending time on the Eagles' practice squad, Studebaker was signed to the Chiefs' 53-man roster. In November, when veteran Mike Vrabel was sidelined with an injury, Studebaker was pressed into the starting lineup against the defending Super Bowl champion Pittsburgh Steelers.Studebaker intercepted two passes, including one he returned 94 yards, in a 27-24 overtime victory.''It's been a different road,'' he said. ''I'll probably look back in 30 years and say, 'Wow, that was a heck of a trip. But when you're going through it, there are ups and downs, and you don't really have time to reflect.''But it's been a ton of fun, and I got to meet a ton of good people.''http://www.suntimes.com/sports/jensen/2119470,CST-SPT-sean24.article#
The team

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HOW CAN I HELP?

The greatest gift you could ever provide to our team, is the gift of prayer. Please consider committing to pray for us, as listed below.
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HOW CAN YOU BE INVOLVED?1. Giving financially:Each team member is required to raise money for airfare, board, and project expenses. 2. Praying for members of the team:for personal growth (spiritually & emotionally)for team unity, humility, and for safety.for the image of Christ to be seen through the team in word & in deed.for the talents and gifts of players to be used and sharpened.If you are interested in participating financially, please make checks payable to Wheaton College and send directly to a team member or to Coach Jeffrey Peltz. Contributions are tax-deductible. Thank you for your interest in this endeavor and for the prayer and monetary support that you feel led to contribute. Thank you for your partnership.
Videos

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Gallery

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Contact Us

Ready to support with a financial gift?

If you are interested in participating financially, please make checks payable to Wheaton College and send directly to a team member or to Coach LaVanchy or Peltz. Contributions are tax-deductible. Thank you for your interest in this endeavor and for the prayer and monetary support that you feel led to contribute.

Gary Lavanchy Jeffrey Peltz

Ministry Leader Asst. Football Coach &Ministry Leader

gary.t.lavanchy_wheaton.edu jeffrey.peltz_wheaton.edu

Or send your check to:

Jeffrey Peltz-Football

Wheaton College

501 E. College Avenue

Wheaton, IL 60187

Donate Page

Thank you for your interest in supporting WFMP.

Contributions like yours enable the experiences that change the lives of its participants and the people they serve.

There are two ways to give:

The first way is to make a gift to this years trip. Every year WFMP fundraises to provide the cost of travel, lodging, and materials used to benefit those who are served. Supporting these trips directly is our biggest need. As we have on average a $155,000 budget.

The longer term way to support WFMP is through the WFMP endowment. This endowment is an account that is invested alongside the Wheaton College endowment and provides on average 4.5% of its market value as income to WFMP. This endowment helps ensure the sustainability of WFMP for years to come and provides an income that trip coordinators can count on in their planning and participant scholarships. Giving to endowments can be made through cash, property, securities, and through estate plans. Giving some of these larger gifts to the WFMP endowment help to leave a lasting legacy that will ensure the continued impact that WFMP has.

If you choose to make an online gift please be sure to make a distinction between WFMP trip and the WFMP endowment in the other field.

Please feel free to call Wheatons Advancement department at 800-525-9906 with any questions you may have or if you would like to discuss further how to make larger gifts to the endowment.

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