Christian Canadian Sports Magazine

Kari Yli Renko – Fisher of Men
By BOB McKENNA

When Athletes in Action hired Kari Yli Renko they got more than a great athlete they also got a great man to reshape their destiny. He is a leader. He is a true “fisher of men,”

Kari Yli Renko came to his role as National Director of Athletes In Action, a division of Power To Change (formerly Campus Crusade for Christ), from the ranks of professional sports and the world of business administration.

As a professional football player his career spanned over 12 seasons, in three leagues, and numerous cities. He was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals then played for the Chicago Blitz and New Jersey Generals in the USFL, and the Toronto Argonauts, Hamilton Ti-Cats Calgary Stampeders and the Ottawa Rough riders of the CFL. Unlike many of the players of his day Yli Renko had the presence of mind to begin preparing for his future whilst still playing on the gridiron. Honing his skills as a business man at an early age was important to Kari. He knew that God had not intended him to play football forever. He first went to work in the banking business and then on to Consulting with a public accounting firm and then created his own Family Fun Center called GYM JAM.

While playing football gave him glory on the field it was his connection to Athletes in Action that gave him what he was really looking for off the field. He had found a way to share his faith through the many youth, business and church groups that he spoke to. “As early as 1983,” says Kari, “AIA staff began discipling me to share the love of Jesus from the platform of sport.”

As a professional football player Kari found it easy to get people to listen to him. He was eager to spread the Word to anyone that would listen. Athletes In Action is a Ministry that understands that the one language that knows no boundaries and sees no distinctions is sports. Continues Kari, “We have been commissioned as sports ambassadors to go out in the world and make disciples.” AIA is using the language of sport to communicate the most powerful message of all, that we are reconciled to the Father through the blood of Jesus Christ.

As an ordained Minister, Kari’s passion soon became reaching out to and working with the inner life of Christian leaders in the community. His focus would be on emotional and spiritual vitality. He was making a difference in people’s lives. He understands human relationships, all within the context of a warm and vibrant Christian faith.

Kari had been used to carrying people on his shoulders both on and off the playing field but there came a time in his own life when this big man needed the support himself. He and his wife Colleen of 19 years lost their battle with cancer. They were a team. She had led him to Jesus. They were a Christian power couple in Ottawa. These were troubling and difficult times.

Two old friends, Al MacMillan the Rough Riders team chaplain and former Rough Rider from Texas Larry Brune got together with Kari and helped him work through these issues. Kari transitioned from family business and consulting to a ministry career as Executive Director of the Ottawa Christian Leadership Center, a division of One Way Ministries. “It was the jocks who helped me through”, says Kari.
James Lau, board member for Power to Change praises the appointment of Kari "I think it's such a fit to have Kari as the Director of AIA. With his zeal for the Lord and his experience, I'm confident that he would be used by the Lord to accomplish great things through AIA to spread the gospel."

One man that is looking forward to working with Kari is Toronto based AIA support staffer Bruce Grey. “Kari” he says, “he is clearly a man of great integrity but what I like about him being part of the ministry is that he is so well rounded. He played the game at the pro level and he has s strong business background and a strong ministry background. This is a strong individual going into the Director’s position.”

AIA staffer Rachel Pickford is especially grateful for Kari’s nomination as she will be working directly for him. “Kari coming on board the AIA team has been such a blessing. As National Director he brings a wealth of experience, not just business related but spiritually as well. We have a very grounded and passionate man of God at the helm whose main goal for our ministry is to use our unique platform of sport to see all people come to Christ. His desire to see this happen is so evident and contagious!”

Kari, being strong in his faith, worked through many of life’s challenges but has trusted in the Lord and in God’s time he has found a new career and a new love in his life in his new bride, Marquita. They are now busy raising three teenage girls and working together with the AIA team. It has been said that you shouldn’t have to tell somebody you are a Christian – they should be able to tell by your actions. If actions speak louder than words, then this athlete is in action. Kari Yli Renko, the fisher of men, personifies the term Christian athlete.