Sports Crusaders

Cory is a 1994 graduate of Springdale High School in Springdale, Arkansas.  He holds a bachelors degree in Education from John Brown University and a Masters of Divinity degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.  Cory was married to Susan Carrender in August of 2000 and has two children by the names of Rylee and Gardner.  Cory and his family served in the Middle East from 2005-2009 in the area of sports and sports ministry.  Cory’s wife currently is a special education teacher in Camdenton, MO.  Cory joined the Sports Crusaders in June of 2010 and is currently the Director of At-Risks and International Ministries.

I am excited about the next chapter in our lives that the Lord has led us to with the Sports Crusaders.  Fourteen years ago God called me into the ministry.  I was playing college basketball at Drury University in Springfield, Missouri.  God used a series of events during this time to teach me that basketball was not the major priority in life, but He was.  Through this process he gave me a burden and passion for the lost.  I began to see my teammates and classmates in a new light.  As I continued to give more to Him, He changed my heart and gave me opportunities to share with my teammates and other students that I could not have imagined.  It was during this two year process that God used this and other means to call me to the ministry.  He taught me that basketball was not God, sports was not God, money was not God, but God was God.  It was through this process I began to understand that in my situation I must turn over my dream of pursuing basketball as a career to following God in the ministry.  Not knowing at the time how I would finish school, due to the fact that I was on a full ride basketball scholarship.  As always, God showed himself to be faithful by providing the means necessary for me to graduate with a bachelor’s degree in Education from John Brown University near my hometown of Springdale, Arkansas.  Upon graduation God led me to Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri to my first teaching job at School of the Osage where I met my wonderful wife Susan.  It was at this time that I met Bobby Shows and went on several basketball mission trips to Mexico with him, as well as leading teams to Mexico.  Susan and I taught at School of the Osage for three years.  God called me to further my education by pursuing a Master’s of Divinity from Southwestern Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas.  We had our first child, a little girl, while in Seminary.  God placed us in a wonderful church and opened up many doors for ministry.    After graduation we were lead to move overseas to do sports work.  We had our son while working abroad.  We served overseas for four years.  This period of service was a wonderful time in our lives because God taught us many things about His faithfulness and provision.  Upon our return to the states, God opened the door for both my wife and I to teach in the Camdenton School District.  God has put a deep passion in my heart for missions and my previous work with the Sports Crusaders was something I never forgot.  He began renewing a fire to walk in full time missions once again and opened up the door through the Sports Crusaders.  God has given me a passion for sports, international ministry and inner-city/at-risk ministries.  These are areas that I will trust Him to open up doors in relation to the crusaders.  My wife, children and I are very grateful to God for continually providing for us and opening up doors of ministry.  We are continually learning to faithfully trust His direction as we step forward with the Sport’s Crusaders.  We are truly excited to see what the future holds.

Blessings,

Cory Casey

“However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me – the task of testifying to the gospel of God’s grace.” (Acts 20:24