What does a group of college roommates inventing basketball shots in their backyard have to do with the Vineyard? More than you might think. What started as a way for a bunch of guys at Texas A&M to blow off steam has exploded into what Mark Bergin called "an international internet phenomenon." The group, known as Dude Perfect, has taken trick shot artistry to a whole new level.

Like many of you, I logged more than my share of hours as a youth throwing a round ball at an iron hoop. We played HORSE till the cows came home and my will to win eventually led me away from the conventional hook shot and reverse layup to the back-to-the-basket, one-eye-closed, standing-on-one-foot, left-handed, between-the-legs, low-percentage bounce shot, anything to gain a competitive advantage! I remember being pretty good, unconventional, even remarkably creative but don't take my word for it, I'm generally mnemonically challenged! One thing's for sure, Dude Perfect makes the guy jumping on the mini-tramp in the gorilla suit at half-time look sooo last century.

Check out the various Dude Perfect videos on YouTube and you'll see every trick shot imaginable. My favorites include a shot from the top of the roof of their Texas home to a basket in the back of a moving truck (no kidding!!) and the jaw-dropping "super-long-distance bucket from the third deck of Texas A&M's Kyle Field to a portable basket positioned on the sidelines below." It's incredible, entertaining and, thanks to the Internet, it's gone viral!

Dude Perfect for a Purpose

What do six undergrads do with all the notoriety and public appearances? Astonishingly, they share their faith! All of the guys are thoroughgoing Christians with a heart for the poor. My interest in them was piqued when a friend at Vineyard gave me the article referenced below. My interest grew when I read about their support for Compassion International, a ministry close to my heart.

Compassion is a foreign aid organization that's focused on releasing children from poverty in Jesus' name. For as little as $38 a month, anyone can sponsor a child in a developing country, providing for their health, educational and social needs until they turn 18. It also ensures that they'll have a chance to hear and respond to the gospel.

Viral Compassion

My wife, Dianne, and I sponsored a girl named Vishala from India a couple of years ago. We just added another little girl, Johanna from Ecuador, to our family in January joining the 97 other families at Vineyard who started sponsoring children during the Hope Lives series at church.

My relationship with Compassion International started three years ago when I read founder, Wess Stafford's book, Too Small to Ignore. I was moved by the heartbreaking stories but it was more than that. See, Wess is a missionary kid. He grew up in Africa, not far from where my wife was born and raised. Dianne is a missionary kid as well and when she read the book it touched her at an even deeper level. She grew up within arms reach of the effects of poverty on children and Wess' book awakened those echoes. We had to get involved.

I know what you're thinking, "Mark, I'm only one person, what can I do?" As Mother Theresa said: "If you can't feed a hundred people, then feed just one." As Edward Everett Hale, a pastor from the last century, said, "I am only one but I am one. I cannot do everything but I can do something. And I will not let what I cannot do interfere with what I can do." There's only one thing I can say to that:

"Dude, perfect."

Let me know what you think.

Peace, OUT!

Mark