* Report from U.K.
In 2002 in Norfolk, UK, John Bussell, the Sports director at Diss Christian Community Church, ran a three day football (soccer) course for 6 to 11 year old boys and girls. He involved church members in the organization of the course and the coaching responsibilities. He also invited specialists from the community to assist (e.g. goalkeeping skills). By 2005, his numbers had risen to 150 and many strong contacts had been made with families. Other Sports besides football had also been included, but more important was the fact that the relationships formed enabled his church to plant a church in the nearby town of Harleston directly from the course contacts. This shows that Sports ministry is integral to church growth.

Bryan Mason
CSRM – U.K.

* Report from Portugal
Bebe was born in Lisbon, Portugal and grew up in a big family. He always believed there was a God but unfortunately, his close friends were not a positive influence. At the age of 16, after intense pressure from his friends, Bebe joined a gang and started committing petty crimes. Bebe always felt in his heart that what he was doing was wrong but it wasn’t long before Bebe’s life in the gangs reached a terrible moment in which he stabbed another man with a knife. Bebe was arrested, but while awaiting trial, he was invited to a Church Soccer League where he found a different “gang”, one of peaceful, loving people who cared for one another and instead of hurting one another they encouraged one another. Bebe knew in his heart that God was calling him back to himself and decided to follow Christ. His life was radically changed. The charges awaiting Bebe were later dropped when the judge was convinced that Bebe had become a new person (in Christ)!!! Bebe is now a member of the church and is a professional soccer player and continues to follow Jesus Christ.

Jorge Pratas
Portugal



* Report from the USA
A shrinking church in California had a desire to reach young families. To reach these families they decided to offer a youth basketball league – at which family members would participate. They focused their outreach efforts on building relationships with the adult family members. Much of this was done through activities and hospitality services. Testimonies were given to the parents at half-time. They also held a very attractive closing ceremony. At this event they shared the Gospel clearly and gave people an opportunity to make decisions to trust Christ. Over the first six years of the league over 1000 adults indicated they made first-time decisions for Christ. Many of these were assimilated into the life of a church. As a result, the church grew significantly. Another result was that the church experienced a considerable change in its demographic makeup – it became more like its community.

Steve Quatro
Sports Outreach L.A.



* Report from Egypt
Sports Outreach has opened the door for my church to serve our community through events such as Kids Games. As a result of the success of Kids Games in Egypt and the community approval, I was asked to be the Chairman for the volunteer committee for the 2006 Africa Cup. Praise God for this open door for the Gospel!!!

Maged Fawzy
Egypt



* Report from Ethiopia
Our vision was to empower local churches throughout Africa and assist church planters through training of Sports outreach. As a result of God working through Africa we have already seen great progress in Ethiopia and Rwanda. Today over 700 churches in Ethiopia are using Sports outreach ministry. Praise God!!!

Ephraim Kebede
Sports Friends, Ethiopia



* Report from the UK
St. John’s church outside of Edinburgh developed a cohesive strategy for reaching a certain community for Christ. For the previous five years, their limited investment in evangelism had not yielded much fruit.

The motivation, training and methodology of Sports Ministry were installed and the church over time saw direct fruit. Families were being reached, children were being reached and young adult males were finding their way to the church. Sports build bridges into communities.

Steve Connor
Sports Outreach International


* Report from USA
Westminster Presbyterian Church of South Carolina started a Sports outreach ministry about 8 years ago. It started with a men’s basketball league of 8 teams with 5 guys from their church on each team. Each team recruited personal friends who could play who were not Christians. At the end of a great season they held a banquet where a testimony was shared and the gospel communicated. Two men committed their lives to Christ. This church now has developed a full faceted Sports outreach ministry for all ages and many sports. God continues to give them creative ways to reach people through relational evangelism.

Bob Schindler
CSO - USA