TF Bahamas

Houghton, NY- A group of 10 people from Houghton College, partnering with Vision Quest Ministries and Rev. Kimberly Gladden, Global Ministries pastor at Eastern Hills Wesleyan church, recently returned from their third missions trip to the Caribbean island of Eleuthera.

Head Track Coach Robert Smalley, his wife Laurie (Outreach pastor at Houghton Wesleyan Church), their 2 teenagers, Angela and Zachary and members of the Houghton College track team joined together to direct a Bible and sports camp during the first week of January, 2007. The camp took place in conjunction with a week of special meetings and conferences held by Vision Quest Ministries.

The team helped out with a church renovation project, and worship services each morning and evening during the week, as well as the camp. Rev. Kim Gladden has coordinated Vision Quest’s annual conference in Hatchet Bay, Eleuthera for the past 12 years, and the Smalley family has joined in with her team of evangelists, worship leaders and seminar speakers for the past 3 years. This year, along with the Smalleys, the team consisted of Houghton College Assistant Track Coach Trini Rangel, Assistant Track and Cross Country Coach Matthew Dougherty and 4 student athletes from Houghton College: Mary Gibson, Michael Platt, Irene Vickner and Sarah Whipple.

“It’s been an extremely valuable time for us as a family and a team, as well as a wonderful opportunity to minister to a group of needy children in a consistent manner, “says Pastor Laurie Smalley, “we are so privileged to be able to see the same children each year and see them really grow in their relationships with Jesus

Houghton College has deep and solid roots in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics, where our teams use their commitment to excellence, both on the field-of-play and in the classroom, as a platform for their strong and unique emphasis on Sports Ministry. Their goal is to make a difference for the Kingdom on campus, in Allegany County, in the Northeast and around the world. Houghton is one of only 13 institutions who have been hand-selected by the NAIA to serve as "Champions of Character" Program Centers, opening the door for Houghton to be a leader, both in the Northeast and nationally, in character education. Through hands-on, innovative community outreach initiatives, Houghton coaches and student-athletes are working together to change the culture of sport and to change our culture through sport.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -- January 20 2007 CONTACT: Glyn Turner 585,567,9648

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -- January 20 2007
CONTACT: Glyn Turner 585,567,9648