Our Team

Matt Wise is the Campus Director for Georgia Southern. He has been the heart of Athletes in Action and has listened to God’s call in this manner faithfully since 2014. He is married to his beautiful wife (Colleen) and they have 3 precious daughters (Hope, Kennedy ,and Berkley) and one new addition, their puppy, Dunkin. He is skilled at pursuing and challenging people outside their comfort zone in order to serve the Lord well. Matt has been able to see AIA grow in immense ways and is excited to see where the Lord takes AIA in the future. 

Lex Ward interned with AIA at Georgia Southern for two years after being a part of the GS Women’s Basketball Team from 2012-2017. Currently, she is on staff with AIA at Mercer University where her husband, Jeff Ward, is the Director of Strength and Conditioning. Her favorite thing about AIA is being a part of an organization that is intentional and committed to equipping athletes and coaches to grow in their relationship with Jesus, love Him above all, and multiply their life into others. 

Mary James Coates is currently on student staff as she finishes her senior year. Her major is in Recreation, emphasizing in Tourism and Recreational Management. She is from Virginia Beach, VA and was on the swim team here at Georgia Southern. 

Her favorite thing about GS AIA is how well they model Christ’s example for discipleship. They love student-athletes well, pursue them, care for them, encourage them, and build them up to be sent into the world to be on fire for the Lord and make disciples who make disciples. 

JAKE COOPER IS A CURRENT INTERN WITH AIA. HE GRADUATED FROM GEORGIA SOUTHERN IN 2019 WITH A DEGREE IN SPORT MANAGEMENT AND A MINOR IN BUSINESS. HE IS FROM LILBURN, GA AND PLAYED FOOTBALL AT GEORGIA SOUTHERN FOR FIVE YEARS.

HIS FAVORITE THING ABOUT GS AIA IS THE COMMUNITY HE GETS TO BE A PART OF WITH THE OTHER ATHLETES AND BEING ABLE TO WATCH OTHERS GROW IN THEIR RELATIONSHIPS WITH JESUS.