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.

Grammy and Dove awards-winning Mark Stuart and Will McGinniss of Audio Adrenaline have bid farewell to the stage as rockers and now travel telling the intimate stories of their faith journeys. Their career has taken them around the world on rock stages and to hurting places like Haiti, where they began the Hands and Feet project to care for the country's orphans. At first glance, their career sounds story-book, but in reality it was filled with as many hardships as successes.

While performing classic Audio A hits, and leading compelling worship, Mark and Will tell their story--a journey of faith filled with mistakes, as well as miracles.

“It’s natural for us to take the stage . . . but to do so as story-tellers adds an intimate twist”, says McGinniss.

From albums to videos, from rock shows to mission trips, these guys have forged a path of purpose and conviction. Now, as AAtalks, Stuart and McGinniss set out to inspire the next generation to let go of their fears, and grab hold of their destiny. Be there to hear their message at Youth In Missions 2009!

Discover more online at AAtalks.com or on MySpace.

International Justice Mission is a human rights agency that secures justice for victims of sexual explotation, slavery, illegal detention, police brutality and other forms of violent oppression. They focus on relief and aftercare for victims, accountability for oppressors, and advocating for change of structures to prevent future oppression.

In the tradition of abolitionist William Wilberforce and transformational leaders like Mother Theresa and Martin Luther King, Jr., IJM’s work is founded on the Christian call to justice articulated in the Bible (Isaiah 1:17): Seek justice, protect the oppressed, defend the orphan, plead for the widow.

International Justice Mission will be sending one of their fieldworkers to speak to Youth in Missions participants this summer.