Christians in sport

Sports Ministry only really received recognition as a serious means of ministry in the second half of the 20th century. In 1985 the International Sports Coalition (ISC) was formed to network the different groups already involved in sports ministry. It now aims to model new sports strategies, train and equip people, serve the local church, and to encourage worldwide partnerships. All this despite having neither full time staff nor an office!

A facilitation team provides oversight and is made up of men and women from around 20 countries, serving three-year rotating terms. In 2003 the ISC described different strategic programmes that had emerged out of this movement and put them under a number of headings:

• Church Sport
• Serving the People of Sport
• Proclamation by Sports People
• International Sports Leadership Training
• Major Sports Events Host Partnership
• Major Sports Events Partnership
• Strategic Regional Coalitions
• ACE Strategies Conference
• Strategic Sports Partnerships
• Global Community Games

Each of these strategic programmes has its own board, which works under the umbrella of the ISC, fulfilling the aims of the ISC as they fit with its programme.

In April 2007 we were able to run a level 1 course in Zimbabwe and I was asked to deliver a module entitled ‘The Bible and Sport’ which helps give people a biblical basis for being involved in sports ministry. Other modules include Explaining the Gospel; Building Effective Teams; Sport; and Leadership. Delegates are also given an introduction to the ISC and the 10 strategic programmes.

But why sport as a basis for ministry? The Great Commission of Matthew 28:19 commands us ‘to make disciples of all nations.’ All nations can refer to various people groups as well as national groupings, and in the 21st century one of the largest people groups is the people of sport! Like many groups it has its own sub-culture and what better people to reach that group for Christ than sportspeople?

It is estimated that over 80% of the world’s population is involved in sport as a participant or as a supporter; wherever you go in the world a ball can unite a group of people who cannot speak the same language or share colour, race, religion or economic background. Nelson Mandela once said: “Sport has the power to change the world, the power to inspire, the power to unite people in a way that little else can. It can speak to people in a language that they can understand.” At the level 1 training in Zimbabwe a South African sports ministry trainer spent time teaching heading skills to some local boys who turned up during a free period in the programme. The football the boys brought along was made of scrunched up plastic bags tied up with string! (photo above) Later the same day another of the Zimbabwean participants was able to share the gospel with these boys.

Christians In Sport, a UK-based sports ministry organisation, has developed a simple strategy based on Colossians 4: 2-6, which is now used throughout the sports ministry world by sports people sharing the good news of Jesus Christ with those they encounter through sport. This strategy can be summed up in the words ‘Pray-Play-Say’ (You might find it helpful to have Colossians 4 in front of you as you read this).

Pray
In writing to the Colossians Paul emphasised the importance of prayer. ‘Devote yourselves to prayer’… (v2) Pray that God might open a door for our message (v3) … pray that I may proclaim it clearly as I should.’ (v4) ‘Devote’ in verse 2 can be translated as ‘addicted to’ and shows us the importance of prayer and that it should underpin all that we do. So we can start by praying for those we encounter through sport that don’t know Christ.

Play
Verse 5 tells us, ‘Be wise in the way you act towards outsiders; make the most of every opportunity.’ So on and off the sports field we need to play and conduct ourselves in a way that honours God and points others to him. This is not always easy; I’ve found it really helpful to meet with other Christian sports people to work through what the Bible has to tell us about this difficult area.

Say
We read in verse 3 that Paul asked the Colossians to pray that God would open a door for the message. But the verse goes on to explain the reason why - so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ. How many of us could explain the gospel message to our friends? This has certainly been a challenge to me as I’ve found myself working out what are the essentials of a gospel message.

So are we prepared to pray for our friends who don’t know Christ? Are we willing to play in a way that honours God? And are we prepared to say the good news of Jesus Christ?

There are plenty of sports ministry initiatives both in the UK and overseas. If you would like to know more you can find information at these websites:

www.iscislt.com (sports ministry training)
www.ubabalo2010.com (initiatives linked to the 2010 Football World Cup)
www.thekidsgames.com (one of the 10 strategic programmes)
www.christiansinsport.org.uk (a UK-based sports ministry organisation)

Kate Randle left Zimbabwe at the end of 2008 and is working in South Africa, training people involved with sports ministry with a view to the opportunities offered by the 2010 FIFA World Cup.  Uncertain about her future beyond 2010, she would love to return to Zimbabwe if circumstances allowed.