OUR STORY
OUR STORY
"We stood on the bridge on the Nile River as the civil war was ending in Uganda, the bridge where Idi Amin's soldiers shot and killed so many..."
Surge International was born from a single mission trip to Mexico with a college soccer team from Southern California, over thirty years ago. Since that time Dave Irby, founder and CEO of Surge International, has helped pioneer global soccer ministry and has organized soccer ministry projects around the world.
Dave coached successfully for four seasons at Azusa Pacific University where he was twice named Coach of the Year. He was planning to be a fulltime teacher and coach at the university level, but that first mission trip kept tugging at his heart.
In 1980 He coached the Soccer Friends team on a short term mission trip to Jordan, Israel, West Germany, Austria and Holland. Dave says, “This trip was the ‘fleece’ for me to decide if I was to go into fulltime soccer ministry.”
In 1981, he became the first Soccer Coach for Sports Life Ministries (Tacoma, WA). In 1984, he was one of the first two original staff members for Missionary Athletes International (MAI). Following his time with MAI, Dave founded Vanguard Ministries, which is now Surge International.
Dave's vision to have sports ministry at a higher level of soccer lead him to Salem, Oregon where he coached and managed the Cascade Surge PDL team (1997-2009) of the United Soccer League (USL). Top collegiate soccer players were invited to play for the Surge PDL team (May through July) where they also had opportunities to impact people for Christ locally, nationally and internationally. Surge teams, individual players and staff members went on short term mission trips to: Thailand, Indonesia, Mexico, Germany, Austria, England, Lebanon, several Africa countries and to Central Asia.
Though Surge International closed down their Cascade Surge team in 2009 Surge Int’l is still involved in the local community through church partnerships, school assemblies, youth soccer projects and a coaching partnership with the United SA youth soccer.
In 2007, Surge International opened its first international soccer ministry office in Vienna, Austria. The Soccer ministry in Vienna is done under the name of Vienna Surge and is currently directed by Nate Brewer. Vienna Surge has several different "projects" that are underway -
SOSsoccer
(Soccer relief for various countries),
GPI
(Global Player Initiative - short term soccer missionaries live in Vienna and serve with Vienna Surge).
STATEMENT OF FAITH
WHAT WE BELIEVE
1. We believe that the Bible is the infallible Word of God, that it is His holy and inspired Word, and that it is
of supreme and final authority.
2. We believe that there is one God, creator of heaven and earth, eternally existent in three persons Father,
Son, and Holy Spirit.
3. We believe in the deity of our Lord Jesus Christ, in His virgin birth, in His sinless life, in His miracles, in
His vicarious and atoning death through His shed blood, in His bodily resurrection, in His ascension to the
right hand of the Father, and in His personal return in power and glory.
4. We believe that as a result of the fall of Adam all men are lost unto sin and will face the judgment of God.
5. We believe that salvation is Gods loving provision for lost and sinful man, and that it takes place by the
regeneration of the Holy Spirit as man puts faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
6. We believe that the true church which is the body of Christ is formed by the work of the Holy Spirit in all
those who trust Christ as their Savior.
7. We believe that in view of Christs last command there is urgency for every Christian to respond to the
Great Commission of Christ.
8. We believe in using every means of communication available to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ
throughout the world.
DIRECTORS
DIRECTORS
David Irby :: CEO, Surge International
US Soccer "A" Coaching License; M.A.T. - University of La Verne (CA)
A pioneer of soccer ministry dating back to his time as coach at Azusa Pacific University, when he also played on the first Athletes-in-Action team. Dave was the first coach for the Sports Life Ministry team (WA) and the original full-time staff member, and founder of the Seahorse soccer team for Missionary Athletes International (CA); before going on to found Surge International (formerly Vanguard Ministries). Dave and Christian soccer team's he has led have traveled to over thirty countries of the world, bringing hope to those they meet. Dave heads up Surge Int'l from their USA headquarters in Salem, Oregon: overseeing the USA based work and the Global Player Initiative. Dave, Susan, Ryan and Hayley Irby reside in Salem, and son Nathan in San Diego, CA.
Nate Brewer :: European Director, Surge International
B.A. Business Administion / Point Loma Nazarene University (CA)
GSAC All Conference/NAIA All-American Scholar/Athlete
Originally from Springfield, Illinois, Nate played four years of collegiate soccer at Pt Loma before joining the Surge's PDL team in Salem, OR. Nate traveled with the team to the Amazon River before being one of two pioneers of the Surge's Global Player Initiative in Vienna in 2007. He played for Gerasdorf SV when he first arrived and now concentrates on: being the Young Adults Leader at Christliche Internationale Gemeinde(CIG) and helping to lead: Soccer Outreach & Fussball Hilfswerk with BreakAway Socceer; SBUX Fellowship (Starbucks Bible Study) Running in the Word ministry and University Outreach.
Allen Lotz :: International Missions Strategist –
B.A. in Liberal Studies and a M.S. in Christian Education
Allen represents Surge International from Atlanta, Georgia. Allen has been a career missionary in MK education in the context of cross cultural church planting. Al played soccer at Azusa Pacific University (CA) and also with one of the first soccer ministry teams before entering the world of MK education overseas. As teacher, coach and administrator in three different countries on two continents, he brings expertise in organizational leadership, multicultural settings and member care. Using soccer as a tool for outreach has been a common thread in these endeavors. More recently Al has travelled extensively as a consultant for MK education which has provided a broad range of international experience and networking that will prove beneficial to expanding the impact of Surge International.
STAFF
STAFF MEMBERS
VIENNA, AUSTRIA STAFF
Nate Brewer
:: Director (Point Loma Nazarene Univ./CA)
Katey Gray
:: (Clemson Univ.)
Elizabeth Ostergren
:: (Univ.of Akron/OH)
Stefan Ostergren
:: (Univ. of Akron/OH)
Gillian McPherson
:: (Biola Univ./CA)
Nic Sands
:: (Colorado Christian/CO) Summer Intern (2010- )
Aga Stankiewicz
:: (Univ. of Krems/Austria) USA and Vienna Staff
Tim Starr
:: (Colorado Christian Univ. /CO)
Mark Wozniak
:: (Colorado Christian Univ./CO)
Sharee Wozniak
:: (Colorado Christian Univ./CO)
USA STAFF
David Irby
:: CEO
Likius Hafeni
:: Community Coaching Staff (Salem, OR)
Allen Lotz
:: International Mission Strategist (Rome, GA)
Thanks to those who have served with us in Austria and USA.
Jonathan Bergen
:: European Director 2007-2011
Grant Knight
:: (Cedarville Univ./OH) 2007-2010
Brendan McCornack
:: (Corban Univ./OR)2008-2009
Mark Mendenhall
::
(Corban Univ./OR) 2010-2011
Zach Patterson
:: (Mount Vernon Nazarene Univ./ OH 2009-2010
Chris Smerke
:: (Corban Univ.) 2010-2011
Kat Katchmar
:: (Oregon St. Univ.) 2011 Summer Intern Salem, Oregon
ADVISORY BOARD
ADVISORY BOARD
Rev. John Boyers
(Chaplain, Manchester United; Director of SCORE, Chaplaincy Program)
"Why should a football club have a chaplain? What would a chaplain do?" asked Watford and future England manager Graham Taylor to John Boyers. . . . . .Through a series of "God ordained" circumstances John became the Chaplain for Graham Taylor and the Watford Football Club where he provided spiritual and pastoral advice and support to the players and staff during their amazing rise to the top league in England in the period 1977 onwards. He was asked to move up to Manchester in September 1992, to be Chaplain to Manchester United.
John had stepped forward in faith to begin
SCORE
in 1990/1991 (a UK based Sports Chaplaincy program) which now works across the UK and seeks to resource over 200 ministers who serve local sports clubs as chaplains.He now has a more international role with
SCORE
but still serves as the Chaplain for the Manchester United Football Club.
John has traveled extensively as a "Sports Chaplain," including to the Vancouver Olympics. He has written a fascination perspective on life and the world of football in "Beyond the Final Whistle". He currently lives in Manchester with his wife Anne, who he meet at the Christian Union during his college days. They have two grown sons: Andrew and Jonathan.
You can find out more about John's past and current travels as a "Sports Chaplain" and learn more about John and his work with SCORE and Manchester United at:
www.scorechaplaincy.org.uk
Rev. John Prim
Chaplain for Real Salt Lake (MLS Cup Champions in 2009; Prim on right in Photo)
John was born and grew up in San Diego, California. He fell in love with soccer in high
school under the influence of his best friend who was from England. John played in high
school and later in college for UCSD (72-75). He played on the first Athletes-in-Action
soccer team; helped start Sports Life in its infancy and subsequently played on the first
Seahorse soccer team for Missionary Athletes International.
While a missionary to the country of Uruguay in the early 90s, John played two years for Club Atlético Juventud de Colonia (then in the First Division of the Interior of Uruguay) asa goalkeeper.John is also a writer, having finished his first book, Righters Block, in 2009 with Crossbooks Publishing.
He currently is the Pastor of Education and Worship at the Southeast Baptist Church in Salt Lake City, Utah. With almost 30 years of pastoral ministry experience, he also serves as the chaplain for Real Salt Lake (2009 MLS Cup Champions). John continues to play regularly at his advanced age (56) and his love for soccer is only superseded by his love for Christ and for his wife and children.
You can read more about John's exciting experiences with Real Salt Lake at:
http://www.slba.org/saltnewsletters/JanFeb10/JanFeb2010.pdf
and can read excerpts and purchase his book Righter's Block: The Challenge of Doing Right Even When It Hurts at: www.amazon.com
Sylvie Tarpinian
Miss Oregon USA 2009
Sylvie Tarpinian was born and raised in Eugene, Oregon. She grew up with a deep appreciation
and interest for the arts, having had gymnastics, dance, theater, and fashion design play a major
role in her life. She accepted Christ at the age of fifteen. Involved as a Student Leader for Campus
Life at North Eugene High School, she participated in a mission trip to Mexico to build an
orphanage for battered women and children.
Sylvie earned her degree in Psychology from Western Oregon University focusing on
child development and family processes. Throughout her college years she has been a volunteer and advocate for the Head Start Program, The Children's Cancer Association of Portland, and worked as an At-Risk Youth worker in a drop in shelter in Salem. Sylvie has made it her mission to reach out to at-risk youth by getting involved with programs that provide support and resources to financially disadvantaged families.
After being crowned Miss Oregon USA 2009, Sylvie traveled throughout the state making appearances, public speaking, and raising awareness and support for such programs as Susan G. Komen, Operation Home Front, Show Mercy International and Smartway Advisors. As a youth group leader at her church, she continued to be a mentor and role model for teens, teaching weekly and participating in events for High School age youth. Sylvie is a strong supporter of Surge International as it "Gives young adults the opportunity to use soccer as an outlet to travel, share the gospel, and connect with youth as a light for Christ. It also creates an environment where our soccer players to reach out to their own communities, particularly to those that need it most. It's a wonderful thing to see soccer bringing people together this way. It's a movement for sure."
Sylvie now resides in Denver, CO working as a flight attendant for Skywest Airlines. She hopes to continue to be a light for Christ, serving in her community. He current projects include partnering with faith based organizations combating the human and child sex trafficking industry."
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Greg Batdorf (San Diego, CA)
Dave Irby (Salem, OR)
Dave Welk (San Diego, CA)
John Strauch (Salem, OR)
Erik and Ali Schulz (Corona, CA)
Bob Von Schimmelmann (Nipomo, CA)
Surge International is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Copyright 2009, All rights reserved
