Ministry Launch Update……a word from Bill Maner

Dear Family, Friends, and Supporters of Active Impact,

We continue with this ongoing phase of pursuing what the Lord has in store for us through Active Impact International. Our plan is to go full time once we raise the needed support. We realize this will take time, but meanwhile we will continue to pursue partnerships and do what we can through Active Impact International. 

Maner Family Update:  I am working at Laurel Christian School (LCS) this year as a teacher and basketball coach. Kim is teaching a class at LCS and also teaching classes online through an online school. Lord willing and prayerfully, I will use this year to plan and raise funds for the ministry of Active Impact. Our work is centered on sharing the Gospel and fostering Christian leadership through meaningful, long-term partnerships.

Below are some updates from this spring and summer and things we are planning and matters of prayer.

Active Impact Updates:

  • April 12: 3 on 3 Basketball Tournament @ Jackson Prep

    • Had 8 teams–great competition

    • Proceeds supported Active Impact

  • On June 16-18 we had an Active Basketball Camp in Yazoo City partnering with FBC Yazoo for local students. We had about 20 participants! A praise is that most of these children returned the following week to VBS! 

    • Pray for this outreach: seeds planted/watered and that the Lord will grow this harvest.

  • July 13-20: Basketball and VBS Mission Trip to Guatemala

    • 33  participants from several churches and schools

    • VBS Team: in several locations/schools in Guatemala

      • First 2 days they saw over 1200 children from 1st-6th grade!

      • Finished the week spending time with children with various disabilities

    • Basketball Team: competed against several teams and did  basketball clinics in schools and community centers

    • Through VBS and Basketball we had the opportunity to share the Gospel to close to 2000

    • Pray for the seeds planted/watered and continued discipleship

  • July 22-25: Laurel Christian School partnered with Active Impact for a basketball camp for 1st- 6th grade–we had close to 25 participants!

Plans for the Year

  • August - May: College “Open Gym”

    • Nick Zuro, the Mt. Salus Christian School Basketball Coach, has been faithful to have an open gym for college students in the Jackson Metro Area as schedules allow throughout the year. Continue to pray for this ministry throughout the year

  • Scheduling of events through partnerships with churches, schools, and organizations/missionaries.

    • Basketball Camps with churches within the state to nationally who are interested in using basketball as a means of outreach in their community (if your church or you know of one that may be interested, please have them contact me) 

    • Professional Development:  PD with schools that are seeking an emphasis of Biblical worldview and being Gospel-centered

    • International element (we tentatively have about 4 international events scheduled for next year!)

      • VBS outreach 

      • Basketball teams

      • Pastor training

Be on the lookout for various fundraising opportunities

  • 3 on 3 tournament(s): Nick Zuro is having one on Labor Day at the Arc in Jackson (see website for details)

  • Golf: TBD

 How You Can Support This Mission

As we step out in faith, we need your prayers and support to make this mission possible.

🙏 Prayer: Please pray for wisdom, provision, and the impact of this ministry. Pray for partnership opportunities and as we plan for the 2025-26 year. Pray that the Gospel is shared and that God is glorified!

  • Family Request: please pray that our home in Bolton sells–we have moved to Laurel, MS. The selling of our home would be a great blessing!

  • As we plan for the year—we have some great opportunities nationally and internationally with our basketball ministry–pray for these partnerships and that God is glorified. In addition the funds, staff, and volunteers needed.


💰 Financial Support: Active Impact International is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, and we are raising financial support to launch this as a full-time ministry. Financial contributions will allow us to plan effectively. Our goal is to raise financial support for us to get started and continue to grow the ministry as the Lord leads–Lord willing, go full time by summer of 2026. At this time we realize this will  be as Paul a “tent ministry”--we will work and do Active Impact, until, Lord willing, Active Impact can be done full time. We realize this is all in the Lord’s timing. How the funds are being used:

  • To implement projects that we can that are based on our mission/vision while not being full time

  • Saved: I am seeking to go full time with Active Impact

    • As we receive gifts and donations, we are saving as much as possible in order to eventually go full time

    • My goal is to raise support and pledges in order to go full time

🤝 Partnerships: We are seeking churches, schools, families, and individuals to help build strong partnerships that will sustain this ministry for the long term.

Continue to visit the Active Impact International website, where you’ll find  updates and information such as information about our mission and vision, the founding board, and the advisory board that will help guide and give me insight in this launch.

👉 www.activeimpactinternational.com

Thank you for taking the time to read this. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We will continue updating the website as plans develop.

May God bless you, and thank you for your prayers and support!

Be on the lookout for a newsletter– our plan is to post updates on the website and send via email

In Christ,


Bill (William) & Kim and Family