MARION— Jett Jones, a sophomore golfer at Indiana Wesleyan University, recently traded his clubs for a greater mission—spreading the gospel in Zimbabwe.
Jones, a native of Bedford and a 2023 graduate of Bedford North Lawrence High School, has balanced academics, athletics, and faith throughout his life. He has played golf since age 10 and was a key member of the BNL golf team before joining IWU’s men’s golf program. Now, his journey has taken him beyond the fairways and into international mission work.
Jones and 19 teammates partnered with Athletes in Action for a 10-day mission trip to the African nation, an initiative the IWU golf team undertakes every two years. The group spent eight days in Harare, the capital city, and two days in Victoria Falls, building relationships and sharing their faith.
“It was a big perspective change on how grateful we should be about living in the United States,” Jones said.
The team stayed in condos on a golf course, allowing them to bond with the local staff. They attended a 3,000-person church service, where the congregation spoke English in honor of their visit. They also experienced Zimbabwean culture, enjoying fresh, unprocessed food and interacting with welcoming locals, many of whom spoke at least some English.
“The food was very good,” Jones said, “there is a lot of British colonial influence there, so some things were actually somewhat familiar.”
Jones emphasized the mission behind the trip and how the team used their sport as a means of connection.
“We use golf as a platform to spread the kingdom of God,” he said. The sport played a crucial role in helping to open the door to speaking to locals about the gospel.
The experience had a profound impact on Jones’ faith.
“This trip inspired me to live fully as a Christian,” he said. “Even though I have everything, I still need to give everything up to Him.”
Despite the long journey—20 hours there and 25 hours back—Jones believes the team’s efforts will have a lasting impact.
“I feel like we opened a lot of doors for locals to continue to spread the kingdom,” he said.
The IWU golf team last traveled to the Dominican Republic for their 2023 mission trip and plans to continue their biennial outreach, blending their passion for golf with a higher calling.
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