The use of sports is a bridge to fill the gap that exists between the church and the community.  Getting children, teenagers and adults to step into a church building is increasingly difficult and therefore it is necessary for the church to go to them, rather than wait for them to come to us. That is what Sports Outreach Bolivia does.  Using sports activities, contact is made where the children live.  In their neighbourhood.  On their football pitch.  Where they feel comfortable and at home.   The contacts and friendships made then open up many and varied opportunities to share with them the Good News that is our Lord Jesus Christ. Below you will be able to read and see pictures of some of the many activities that Sports Outreach Bolivia is involved in. Matthew 28:18-20 "Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

Outdoor Evangelism - on the football pitch after a training session.  Held on a weekly basis and reinforced with activity sheets.

Rural Evangelism

Sports Outreach Bolivia has also been active in going out into the local communities away from Trinidad.  Using football training workshops, contact is made with the children in the villages.  Each session is ended with the sharing of the gospel message. In the past few years, the focus of this work has been in the villages of San Andres and Villa Alba.

Local children at Villa Alba ready for the football workshop

Handing out tract to a girls group after a basketball match (Villa Alba)

The "Powerball" (picture left) is a evangelistic tool we use in Sports Outreach Bolivia.  It is produced by Church Sports International and is a easy and effective way to put across the gospel message.  We are currently using the "Powerball" as part of the outreach activities of the START football school in 2005. For more information about the "Powerball" evangelistic tool, click here.

Another simple but effective tool for sharing the gospel message is through the use of tracts.  There is an ever growing amount of Christian literature with a sports theme which grabs the reader's attention.  Click here for information about suppliers of good quality sports themed gospel tracts.

An important part of the outreach work is the development of friendships.  This takes time and effort.  We need to pray that God will give us a deepening love and compassion for the lives of these children and teenagers.   One of the ways we can get to know the children better is through day-trips to local villages or to the lake (picture left).   The children need to see that we care and that, contrary to the signals the receive in their homes and schools, they are important.

The evangelism work has also been done together with other Christian outreach ministries in Trinidad. The King's Kids ministry of Trinidad has for many years been reaching out to those in the local community and beyond.  In 2004, Sports Outreach Bolivia was able to work alongside them, taking tracts and going door-to-door in the village of Villa Alba, 45 minutes drive from Trinidad.

A football workshop that was held in conjunction with the King's Kids visit to Villa Alba.

After the football workshop, a time of 1-to1 evangelism held on the football pitch.

Evangelism Programme