Point Lookout, Mo. - What is it like to make a life-changing impact? Do you believe in coincidence? In June of 2025, Tyler Moore, a College of the Ozarks junior basketball player from Troy, Missouri, traveled to the other side of the globe and experienced ten days that changed lives…including his own.
Through a family connection with Korbin Farmer, a Fellowship of Christian Athletes staff member, Tyler and his dad, Dan, were invited on a basketball mission trip to the country of Moldova. After prayer and consideration, the challenge was accepted, and Tyler began preparations to spend ten days of his off-season in a small country between Ukraine and Romania, teaching children between the ages of eight and 18 about life and the game of basketball. An opportunity to make memories with his dad and make a difference in the lives of kids on the other side of the world, Tyler was set to take his first trip overseas and his first international mission trip.
During his stay in Moldova, Tyler would be serving less fortunate kids from the city of Cahul through the Face-to-Face Basketball Camp. With their day starting at 6:30 am, 80 campers and a large group of leaders would go through warmups, breakfast, chapel, sport-specific stations, a craft, and lunch. Their afternoon would be similar with stations, time in the pool, dinner, chapel, and some free time before ending their day at 10:00 pm. While Tyler admitted that the days were long and full of activity, he said it was one of the most rewarding times of his life.
When asked what the highlights of the trip were for him, Tyler had several that came to mind. “Obviously, sharing the gospel and utilizing translators was a huge highlight for me. Knowing that I was serving and showing Jesus to the kids was an amazing opportunity. Seeing and experiencing a different culture and life perspective was a definite highlight as well.” Tyler said. “The people there are so happy, and they have a different level of gratitude than most people I’ve been around. They have very little, and they were so excited to receive gifts, no matter how small.” Some of the things given to the campers were old NBA jerseys and NBA trading cards. “They were so excited to receive an NBA jersey, even if it was from a player from years ago that wasn’t very famous, or if the jersey was three times their size. They loved it, and they were so appreciative.” On a last-minute decision, Tyler felt led to take NBA trading cards to give to the campers. He had a good stack of them, and as he started giving them out, the campers were ecstatic. “The kids were so excited to get a card or two, and they were so thankful. When I pulled out a Steph Curry card, I was almost knocked over, and the line that had formed turned into a mob. I had to hold the card high above my head to regain order,” continued Tyler, “That perspective of gratitude for even the smallest of gifts had a definite impact on me. I realized that I need to be more grateful for all the ways, big or small, that I am blessed.” He also noticed the care that the local people showed for the visiting camp staff from the United States. “They were so helpful and took great care of us while we were there”.
One of the biggest highlights for Tyler came as he spent time getting to know one of the Moldovan leaders, Dan. Dan was an 18-year-old who spoke three languages and had spent time as a foreign exchange student in San Antonia, Texas. As Dan and Tyler talked, Dan was sharing his future plans and his desire to attend college in the United States. Tyler was able to share about his college, College of the Ozarks, and a crazy revelation occurred. Dan had actually applied to C of O as one of his top choices of colleges to attend. The two were able to talk about C of O and the opportunity for them to attend the same school. Most people would call this a coincidence. Tyler said, “It was truly a God thing. What are the chances that I would go to the other side of the world, at that exact time, and meet someone from Moldova that is wanting to attend C of O? Very slim. I believe this was a God moment. Should Dan be able to come to C of O, he will already know someone. I am excited about the opportunity to reconnect with him and be a resource as he steps into a new world.”
During a trip to a distant country, Tyler’s perspective changed. He shared, “I need to be less about me and receiving, and more about others and giving. I have grown in my boldness in sharing my faith as a result of this trip.” Tyler was able to use basketball for a much bigger purpose. Lives were changed, including his own, and a prospective student found a friend who could possibly be a familiar face in Point Lookout, Missouri. Basketball became more than a game. It became a way to share, encourage, build up, grow, and connect. The question is…what will we use that can become… “more than a game”?