Sports clubs are one of the unique ways that OM teams and facilitators are reaching kids from diverse backgrounds in Africa. As kids gather for sports and play together, they also do a Discovery Bible Study led by their coaches. It’s not just the study, but the testimony of friends and coaches that reveals the gospel to those who have never heard it or have even been averse to it — such as Arnold from Zambia.
Arnold grew up in Zambia with a Christian father and a Muslim mother. His parents taught him their respective values and beliefs, but he found himself sharing his mother’s Muslim faith due to the amount of time he spent with her. But because of a soccer club run by one of our trained Christian coaches, Arnold began to examine his beliefs.
When Arnold joined Coach Rhoda’s team, he was troublesome and rude, especially when the Bible was discussed during the Discovery Bible Study the team did together.
“He believed the Bible was false and that only Muslims were good people,” Rhoda says. Rhoda saw Arnold’s passion for the game and wanted him to continue spending time with his friends, so he continued to invite Arnold back.
One day, a teammate shared a story about his Christian parents who, despite coming from different cultures, selflessly love each other and sacrificially support their son’s sports activities. As Arnold listened, he was moved to tears. He realized that parents from diverse backgrounds could live harmoniously and that his friend’s parents’ love was inspired by following Jesus’s example.
“Soon after that, Arnold came to me and asked for a Bible,” Rhoda said. “He began to read the Bible and ask some deep questions about the Christian faith. He started leading by example, eagerly answering questions and inspiring others with his newfound positivity.”
As Arnold continued the path of transformation, he faced new challenges. “His teammates did not believe him, and to be honest, even I was not sure at the beginning,” Rhoda says. “I just feared that he was acting, or someone would change him.”
However, Arnold’s faith has endured in spite of the challenges he’s faced. He’s now learning to balance his love for soccer with his growing faith and is finding ways to share his newfound positivity with his friends and family.
Rojas, a sports coach and Jesus follower, traded his city comforts for rural village life in Tanzania. Driven by a passion to share the gospel with least-reached communities, Rojas wanted to use his sports expertise and passion for agriculture to transform the lives of people and the community.
“God called me to serve Him in reaching youth and children, so in 2016, after receiving training in teaching young people, I decided to leave the city and come to the village,” he explained. “I want to see people’s lives transformed, and I believe sports can be a powerful tool for that.”
Once settled in the village, Rojas formed a soccer team, attracting locals who shared his enthusiasm for sports. Through soccer, volleyball and other games, Rojas teaches valuable life lessons like teamwork, hard work, obedience and sacrifice.
“Before I moved to the village, the playing field was not a safe place because young people used foul language and persuaded each other to do bad things, but I thank God for making me active – now the playing field has become a place to worship God!”
To sustain his work, Rojas started farming. His produce, sold at local markets, earns enough to enable him to continue his mission. Rojas also employs four people from the community to help with his crops. “I am thankful to God that He has blessed me with the villages around me,” he said. “The villagers are the first consumers of my crops, so they have been coming to buy produce from my farm at a lower price than in the market, and this helps me to have a good relationship with them.”
As a result of Rojas’s sports ministry, young people are discovering positive outlets for their energy, while adults are finding inspiration in his dedication and perseverance in agriculture. As the community comes together to play, work and learn, the village is transforming. What was once one of the least-reached communities in Tanzania has become a vibrant community of Jesus followers.
Sports coaches are uniquely placed to deliver lessons beyond sport-specific skills, such as how to stay positive, overcome adversity, work together for a common purpose, be resilient and be there for others. When a Jesus follower combines their faith with this role, they have the opportunity to transform lives and even whole communities!
Please pray for sports coaches and their communities in Zambia and Tanzania!
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