Trojan News

Here's an update on Will and Audrey Partin, two former Trojan basketball players, who met at Trevecca, married, and almost immediately headed to the Dominican Republic for mission work. That was five years ago. As they celebrate five years of marriage and five years on the mission field, we wanted to revisit with them and share a recent profile WAVE TV in Louisville, Ky. (Will's hometown) aired about Will and their work in the Dominican.

Click for WAVE Channel 3 Story on Will in the DR

Here's the story, slightly edited, we published July 22, 2006.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Will Partin and Audrey Leatherman followed different paths to Trevecca, and like many before them Trevecca provided the canvas for the ministry they are now painting together in the Dominican Republic. Since their marriage in the summer of 2005, they have spent their first years of marriage in a sports ministry in the Dominican Republic.

A standout during his days at Louisville (Ky.) Ballard High School, where he led the Bruins to the Kentucky State Championship and was named the MVP of the State Tournament.

Partin transferred to Trevecca in 2001 after earning a starting point guard position at the University of Missouri-Rolla in his freshman season. He helped start a new era of Trevecca basketball and was a key member of the 2001 NAIA National Tournament team in his first season. At the end of his three-year career at Trevecca, Partin had the fourth most assists per game average and was eighth on the all-time career assists list.

Will and Audrey's Blog

Leatherman arrived at Trevecca after an outstanding high school career in Dalton, Ga., and was a part of some of the best days in the history of the women's basketball program. She rewrote the steals records at Trevecca, was a part of four NAIA Tournament teams, and was known for her speed, defense, and timely scoring.

Prior to their marriage the couple decided to accept an assignment with G.O. Sports Ministries (http://www.go-ministries.org), and since arriving in the Dominican Republic, the Partins have seen their ministry grow; however, they see more opportunities to spread the gospel. To expand the reach of their ministry, they have been praying for some specific tools help accomplish bringing more children for Christ. They are in the process of raising money for a minibus for their traveling teams and a sports complex to host their camps, leagues, and ministry.

Photos from the Dominican

The couple completed a basketball camp with 160 campers, and they are currently visiting in the homes of the 40+ campers who came forward during the altar call.

A large part of their ministry is developing athletic teams that travel around the country playing and sharing the gospel to the youth of the D.R. The other is by forming athletic leagues for the children.

The Partins want to raise funds for a minibus to carry the children around the country and even more so, they want to build

a sports complex to hold camps and host their sports league. Currently, they must rent space for these events.

Accomplishing these two goals will help the Partins with their main goal. Will explains, "We want as many people as possible to be exposed to God's work here in the Dominican." Will continued saying he and Audrey appreciate the support they've received from the Trevecca community: "We are obviously so fond of TNU and the people who make up the community and we've felt their support in our ministry here in the Dominican Republic."

If you would like to check in with the Partins in the Dominican Republic you can reach them by email:

will.partin@go-ministries.org  - or - audrey.partin@go-ministries.org

The story of the Partins show what can happen when people allow God to lead them. Two high school students followed their hearts to Trevecca and have used their faith and athletic abilities to open doors in ministry together, a ministry that is reaping rewards of reaching souls for Christ. Their dream is to one day be able to pick up the kids and drive them to their own sports complex. Once there teach them about Christ while participating in the athletic teams.

The G.0. Sports Ministries Website is: G.O. Sports Ministries

Will Partin working with some of the kids at their camp.

Home to some of the kids the couple works with in the Dominican.

Below, the courts the couple used for camps and practice with their kids.

 

Some of the girls Audrey is mentoring in the Dominican.

Kids play at one of Will's baseball camps.