THOMASVILLE — John Rainey has a lot in common with the relief pitchers and goalies on Thomas University’s baseball, softball and soccer teams — all of them are looking for a good save.

Rainey is director of Goalline Ministries, a non-denominational outreach that works with college students, coaches, professional athletes and community leaders. A former youth minister at First Baptist Church in Thomasville for 22 years, Rainey said his calling has always been working with young people.

“I just love being around them. At this age, they are growing and learning — going into adulthood. I try to show them how their faith can work on the athletic field, in academics, in relationships and in life,” he said.

Rainey serves as chaplain for Thomas University’s baseball, golf, soccer and softball teams, but his involvement with the school’s athletes and students runs much deeper than saying a prayer before each game.

Each Sunday morning, students involved in the ministry visit a different local church, exposing them to various denominations of faith each week. Sunday evening Survivor events at TU’s residence hall allow the students a chance to sing, play games, fellowship with one another and learn about God through devotionals and Bible study.

On Tuesday evenings, Goalline holds Bible studies at local coffee shops and eateries, and team devotionals are offered before practice on Fridays each week. Before away games, Goalline provides care packages to players involved with the ministry, filled with snacks and drinks for the long bus rides they often take.

The ministry also oversees an Adopt-A-Student program, in which local families open their homes and form bonds with students who are not from the area. Thomas University has many international students and athletes, many who may feel out of place in coming to school in a new country. Rainey said Goalline helps those students make new friends and find their bearings here, in addition to strengthening their faith.

“It’s a social thing. Whether we’re having a devotional at the residence hall or going to someone’s house, we try to make it fun. We have cookouts and movie nights and other fun things for them to do,” he said. “It’s good for making new friends and networking.”

Getting students and athletes to participate in the ministry is a matter of earning their trust, Rainey said, admitting that sometimes that’s easier said than done. He recalls his first meeting with one of the TU teams, and having his invitation to join Goalline met with a cold reception by some of the more skeptical players.

“They didn’t want any part of what I was doing,” he chuckled. “Three of them even left the Bibles I gave out. But as the season went on, they would come up when nobody was around to ask me questions — about life, about relationships. That was a neat thing. It just takes a little time.”

One day, Rainey was approached by a young female student who confessed she had not been living a good life. She said there were many questions she had concerning religion, but was concerned people would be too judgmental of her if she asked.

“I told her she could ask me anything, and I wouldn’t give her a Baptist answer or a Catholic answer or a Presbyterian answer — I’ll give you an answer right out of the Bible,” he said. “I told her I would show her what the Bible said, then it would be between her and God as to how it works out.”

Over several weeks, Rainey had several conversations with the student, resulting in her completely turning her life around. There are countless other accounts of students turning away from the lives they lead and giving their lives to Christ, Rainey said.

“Some of that was through what we do with Goalline Ministries. Some of that was because of the work of our adoptive families,” Rainey said. “But God is responsible for all of it.”

Thomas University President Gary Bonvillian said the ministry plays an important role on campus. “We are so pleased to be partnered with John Rainey and his Goal Line Ministries,” he said. “John has become an integral member of our athletic program over the past two years providing a wide range of services to our students.”