Sports Ministry – Do It!

Understanding the culture of a foreign location is very important when you seek to minister to the people of that area.  One example is that there are places where it is difficult to involve men in what you seek to accomplish.  However, there are ways to overcome some of the resistance to the sharing of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  But people must “hear’ the Gospel, so we want to be wise in our methods of getting the Word of God into the lives of people everywhere.

In Mexico, sports are important and present an opportunity of interacting with the male population.  Soccer, or football as many call it, is very popular in most countries of the world.  It is a good sport to utilize.  Even an “aged one” like myself can be involved.  I remember one game where I kicked at the ball and missed and landed on my back.  Every one of the men and boys playing laughed, but then they all knew who I was and I could communicate with them, with ease, even about Jesus Christ.    Landing on my back had “opened a door” for me to share with them. 

We have used basketball, baseball, and volleyball as a means to share with these individuals. 

Basketball – We usually have a number of men and boys of the Mission Team who will play a team made up of the village men and boys.  When the games were completed, we had a time of sharing what Jesus Christ means to us and our lives. 

Baseball – We went to a number of villages and had each village put together a team and then we carried the teams to different villages to play each other.  On the last day of the mission trip we had the two teams, with the best records, play for the championship. 

Volleyball – This game we played in the individual villages with all who wanted to become involved.  Each day the number of young boys and men would grow larger.  And each day when the games were over, we had a time of teaching from the Bible.

All of those who participated in any of the sports ministries came to Galeana, on the last day of our trip, for a time of fellowship, food, and presentation of the Gospel.

Each day we shared with the young men and on the last day the Gospel of Jesus Christ was presented in a non threatening way, thanks to the daily sports ministries.

And each time we went back to this area, the number who participated became greater, our fellowship became stronger, and we always shared Jesus Christ and His Gospel.

Remember Colossians 4:6b  - “…..study how best to talk with each person you meet.”?

Do it, but be wise in so doing! 

Go Beyond!