FEATURED COVER STORY
20/20 Vision For 2020 Golf Ministry
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ounded in 2004, Challenge Golf Association is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization based in Cleveland, Tennessee. Challenge Golf’s mission is to use the game of golf as a
catalyst to expand the Kingdom of God. Golf provides a nonthreatening way to meet golfers in their circumstances, be there for them in their time of need, point them to Jesus, share the Gospel with seekers, and teach discipleship principles. Why is the mission of Challenge Golf so relevant today? Our mission field is huge, with 26 million golfers and 15,000 courses in the United States alone. The Barna Research Group produced a recent survey illustrating why it’s a mission field ripe for the harvest. A typical golf tournament with 100 players most likely includes: • 37 suffering from alcohol or substance abuse, • 35 addicted to pornography, • 23 considering bankruptcy, • 45 alienated from their children, • 27 devastated by a failed marriage, and • 2 seriously contemplating suicide! How is the Challenge Golf Association reaching these golfers? Through the CGA Tour and a collection of golf tournament events, including The Invitational©, The Challenge Cup, The Shootout, and The CGA VIP Experience, all created by and exclusive to Challenge Golf.
The Invitational© • A FREE Golf Tournament Event as a visual illustration of God’s amazing grace • Paid in full by sponsors willing to use their blessings to be a blessing for the Kingdom
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• Our tournament partnership is with like-minded churches of various denominations • Golfers from the partnering church serve as caddies in the tournament as pictures of servanthood • Caddies from the church invite their unchurched golfing friends to play in this FREE event • Non-golfing volunteers from the church serve in other capacities to make it a great event • Our ongoing discipleship training for caddies teaches relational evangelism principles • The Invitational© is the cornerstone event of Challenge Golf ministry.
The Challenge Cup • Member-guest golf tournaments conducted at memorable venues • Members bring teammates to introduce to the ministry through a great day of golf • The Challenge Cups are fundraising events for The Invitational©.
The Shootout • CGA converts regulation 18-hole golf courses into 18-hole, par-3 shootouts • Each hole rewards the “closest-to-the-pin” winners with a cash prize • The Shootouts are fun and play fast, with everyone literally “going for the green” • The Shootouts are fundraising events for The Invitational©.