Cross-cultural sports ministry lays foundation for outreach | The ...

by Angeline McCall staff writer

Hoops. Rackets. Balls. Nets. Can all of these really further Christ?s Kingdom here on earth? Global sports ministry has been using such equipment to share God?s Word with those who do not believe and to disciple followers of Christ. Sports ministry is flourishing around the world, as well as here in our own community at Moody.

In churches worldwide, sports ministry is a salient foundation for sharing the Word of God. ?Sports are just a tool for ministry. My focus is sharing the Word of God to the youth I work with,? said Johann David Go, a junior sports ministry major who has been involved with sports ministry in the U.S., Philippines and Kosovo. ?The Gospel is shared through the Bible lessons that I teach or through our actions when we have fellowship with the youth.?? This fellowship cultivates outreach ministries to nonbelievers, as well as internal church fellowship between believers. Church Sports International (http://www.churchsports.org/) asserts that bridges to lost communities can be crossed, and paths from gym doors can lead to worship centers as a result of effective sports ministries.

Sports ministry faces the same obstacles as other overseas ministries, such as language barriers. But because it is a common denominator among cultures and peoples, sports can serve as a universal language. Rani Parish, junior communications major, experienced this on a short-term missions trip with the Moody women?s basketball team. ?I learned how sports can be a great way to connect, even when there is a large language barrier,? she said. ?Playing basketball helped me make friendships with people I couldn?t even talk with.? Go agreed, ?No matter what the language barriers are, the sport is the language.?

Often times, sports ministry manifests itself overseas in the same way as it does at home. If God?s Word remains at the core of the ministry in both settings, it has similar effects of outpouring into the community. ?Many stereotypes are given to this ministry that it is all fun and games. I agree that many of the kids that I had worked with seemed just to want to play games and not listen to the Word,? Go said. ?However, this is still a great tool to build relationships, and if we faithfully teach the Word, they may one day come to know Christ.? Because sports are culturally relevant, the Word of God can penetrate through mere activities to lay truth on all those who are lost and found.

As sports ministry grows around the globe, one of the greatest rewards is seeing a mere tool utilized in such a way that it reaps an eternal reward for those who serve and those who come to faith through the ministry. In the midst of it all, it can bring glory to God.

Source: http://www.moodystandard.com/cross-cultural-sports-ministry-lays-foundation-for-outreach/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=cross-cultural-sports-ministry-lays-foundation-for-outreach

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