Austin Gutwein was just a 9-year-old basketball player when he learned about AIDS and the millions of children who had lost their parents to the disease. He felt God calling him to do something. He decided then to shoot baskets and raise funds for AIDS orphans in Africa on World AIDS Day 2004. That day he shot 2,057 free throws for the 2,057 kids who would be orphaned during one of his school days, according to statistics, and raised nearly $3,000.

Thousands of young people have since joined Austin in his shoot-a-thon called Hoops of Hope, raising more than $450,000 for food, clothing, shelter, a new school and a medical facility for AIDS orphans in Zambia.

Austin has been featured in magazines and television shows, and is a speaker on the Revolve Tour. This summer, he will join us at Youth In Missions, sharing his story and offering YIM participants a chance to have our own YIM shoot-a-thon to bring hope to AIDS orphans in Zambia.