The World Cup and Evangelism
The World Cup is underway!
Since I’m working today, that means that I have no idea how the US v. Slovenia match ended up. As soon as I clock out today I’ll be sitting down to retroactively cheer on the Stars and Stripes to victory (hopefully)!
For most of the US, the World Cup is just another blip on the sports radar. But to the rest of the world it’s the culmination of years of waiting. Billions of people will watch, analyze and enjoy the World Cup.
A few ministries view the World Cup as a prime opportunity for evangelism and outreach. Mission Network News reports on the efforts of HCJB to reach out to the youth of South Africa:
Not far from the excitement at Cape Town Stadium in Fish Hoek Valley, four churches will be using sports and the heightened interest in soccer to convey the message of Christ.
In a press release from HCJB Global, pastor of King of Kings Baptist Church in Fish Hoek, John Thomas, said, “Since the World Cup is the biggest sporting event in the world, it follows logically that it has to be the biggest event to reach people for Christ.”
For the next four weeks, up to 1500 youth from age 4 to 17 will have the chance to improve their soccer skills, while they also improve their life skills such as teamwork, self-discipline, good sportsmanship, and making the best of everyday according to God’s Word.
After activities conclude daily at 4 p.m., that day’s World Cup games will be shown on a large screen while the children enjoy refreshments.
Pray for the kids HCJB and their partners will be impacting through this ministry. Pray also for God to be the ultimate victor throughout all of South Africa.
Do you think sporting events are a good way to reach out to people? Who are you cheering for this World Cup?
Anytime and anyplace is an opportune time for outreach.
We never know what opportunities God will place before us, but we can be pretty certain that we will encounter unbelievers every time we leave our homes. While not everyone is equipped for “door to door” missions we are all instructed to be a light for Christ in the darkness, if by no other means than by our actions.
Joyce Meyer has told people to do their ministries using their mouths only if absolutely necessary. Actions do speak louder than words, and when people learn you are born again they watch you closely. We must represent Christ at all times.
Amen to what Sean said. I do think that the best place to proclaim the gospel is exactly where the Lord has already placed us, especially in our daily living. Indeed, rather than through or together with human activities in certain places, at special times, or in certain manner, the Lord wants us to live out the gospel at every moment of our lives, particularly those that many would consider mundane. Jesus said, “Just as the living Father sent Me and I live because of the Father, also the one who eats Me, that one will live because of Me”. Jesus lived for 30 years before He began to minister, even thought to be the carpenter’s son, but He surely lived his entire human life because of the Father. Paul said, “I am crucified with Christ. I live, but no longer I but Christ lives in me, moreover the life I now live in flesh I live in faith, the faith of the Son of God, the One who loved me and gave Himself up for me.” May we live by Christ more and more each day.
The World Cup and Evangelism –
The Gospel.com Blog…
The World Cup and Evangelism –
The Gospel.com Blog…