In western business golf has played an important part in developing relationships and sealing deals. The executive MBA student/executives from China who are studying at UTA got a sense of this and asked ISI volunteer/partner, Steve Schimer if he knew how to play golf. They wanted to learn. He arranged for ISI staff, and golf lover, Ron Bunyard to give them lessons.

Roy was able to join the second practice session several weeks ago in Arlington and he was told that several of the Chinese executives who were in the EMBA program were given country club memberships in their home land as a perk for reaching their high position in their companies back home and to facilitate communication. One problem. They didn’t know how to play golf.

Steve arranged for a couple of these men to learn from Ron at a local driving range and by the next time over 10 people came. The students loved it and really practiced between classes. One student commented to Ron, “I always want to play with you when I play golf.”

The long term goal of this endeavor is to develop deeper relationships with these special students and to introduce them to other Christians to whom they can get close to also. According to Ron, the next step is to get them to a par 3 course to learn the ettiquete of golf, get them on a regular course in foursomes with American Christians including pastors available during the week who have an interest in building relationships. Finally, perhaps there can be an opportunity to allow them to hear from a PGA pro about his faith.

It is amazing to see how God made all this happen from just a single comment!!!!