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Images flashed around the globe of the Brazilian team praying in the middle of the
pitch and post-match interviews revealed many players’ dedication to proclaim
the Good News using the gifts and means that God has provided them i.e.
football. The forceful impact of this visual testimony was such that FIFA, the world
football governing body, reacted quickly to ban all “religious” expressions on t-
shirts during matches.

Such large and public sports outreach activities are rare. The majority of
sports/recreation ministry work is done in local church neighbourhoods with a
small group of participants and volunteers, rather than sports stars, the
organisers. With sportsmen and women the new heroes of youth, mass sport
participation and viewing has brought with it a wonderful opportunity for the church
to reach out and “grab” the attention of those we live amongst.

The varied and multiple recreational outreach activities throughout the world are
testimony to the fact that sport is indeed a universal language. What has become
evident is that cultural, social and language barriers can be breached with the
simple use of a “ball”. The actual sport that is used is not important. What is
important is what can be achieved through the contacts made in these activities.
As Dr. James Naismith (who in 1891 created basketball whilst working for the
YMCA) said “it is not what the boy did with the ball that really mattered, but what
the ball did to the boy ”. Today, all around the world, churches and Christian
organizations are realizing this very fact, introducing recreational activities into
their programs.

God has greatly blessed the work and today Sports Outreach Bolivia has a
regular group of 80 children and teenagers participating in the football coaching
program from February to November. Whilst part of the emphasis in training
sessions is on the development of teamwork and personal discipline, the
participation in local championships provides a perfect opportunity to work with
the children in a competitive environment, bringing many sportsmanship issues to
the forefront. Coaching sessions also allow a natural and healthy “coach” and
“player” friendship to develop providing the opportunity to the share the gospel
message on a personal basis, often supported with short talks, activity sheets
and literature. Sports Outreach Bolivia short-term volunteer program has also
been a source of great blessing to the work and young men such as Richard
Crymble (N. Ireland), Paul Burns (England), Dougy Gould (Scotland) and Dave
McColl (Scotland), Sam Rose (Scotland), Ian Gunn (Scotland) Mark Morris
(Scotland) have made a important and powerful impact in the lives of many boys
through their friendship and personal example.

Evangelism activities are also achieved in coordination with other ministries in
the local church such as the AWANA Bible Club, Sunday School and Youth
Fellowship, with links being developed to encourage the attendance of those also
participating in the football school. In these and other children/youth activities,
football school participants now make up an large percentage of overall
attendees.

Due to the success of the evangelistic outreach, a discipleship program has been
developed to support and encourage new Christians in small group format.
These activities are not only restricted to the children and teenagers but extended
to the coaches who meet together weekly to study the Scriptures and pray
together, encouraging spiritual growth and unity as a team.

Furthermore, over the last 2 years, a rural evangelism program has also been
developed which sees the football school coaches pack up all the equipment and
head off to a near-by village where they conduct a football coaching clinic for local
children. High attendance levels are guaranteed, often attracting a sizeable
crowd of onlookers. The clinic is always brought to an end with evangelistic
based activity supported by tracts and Christian literature. Lately, these trips
have been coordinated with the "Totai" Health Centre Director, Dr. Diego
Santana, who, together with other staff members, provides much needed medical
and dental attention. Plans exist to work with the local Evangelical churches in
these villages to follow up on the outreach done on these visits.

The friendships that have been developed with the children have also allowed us
to make contact with the parents and other family members. One of the results of
this has been the initiation of a weekly girls club where Claudia Holt has a time of
Bible study, arts and crafts. We are praying that God will also guide us on how to
further develop the work. What about those who prefer basketball or other sports
activities? Contacts made with other missionary sports organisations at a recent
“Kid’s Games” conference in Argentina have been very encouraging allowing us
to access some valuable material and ideas.

All these contacts and friendships that have developed over the years have
brought to our attention the astonishing lack of love and support that so many
children suffer from in their homes. We feel God has called us to provide a
supportive and caring environment for these children, through recreation activities
where they can find “a shelter from the wind and a refuge from the storm ” in the
world in which they live. It is our prayer that God may reveal His Son in us so that
we may be channels of His love and grace in the local community. Complete
surrender to God and His will is required so that we may proclaim “the Word of
life ” which will be “like streams of water in the desert… ” to our neighbours. Only
as “living sacrifices ” can our lives be used to bring glory to God in all things.
Even in sports.