A church group traveled to Ivory Coast on mission. Initially, they prepared a sports camp for younger kids, and decided to use our High Power curriculum.
When they arrived, the host church had already arranged a high school sports camp. In short notice, the team was able to adjust the curriculum. Over 70 high school students from the community came to the camp. The team met K., who was a great soccer player and natural leader – and also a Muslim. He enjoyed himself, despite being at a Christian event. The team sensed something different about K. After sharing the gospel with him, however, the team wasn’t sure if he would be back.
Later on in the trip, the team ran a kid’s camp for over 100 kids. They noticed K. was hanging out on the sidelines, wanting to join in but hesitant…what would people say if they knew he was at a Christian event? But, the team asked him to help out with the skills sessions – and he jumped right in. The kids looked up to K, and he enjoyed sharing one of his passions.
At the end of the trip, the team was sharing at a church service. One of the team members had to excuse themselves due to sickness, and saw K. standing outside under a tree, trying to decide if he should go inside. The team welcomed him in, and he stayed the entire service, following along in his New Testament and hearing the gospel again.
Joël, the team leader, had this to say about his experience:
"It was such a privilege for us to be able to run this soccer camp and share with these kids. I wanted to thank you, and I know I speak not only for myself but for the entire team. The curriculum truly was a great tool to get us where we needed to be, and the players were receptive to the message we had."
We don’t know how God is continuing to work in K’s life, but we’re continuing to pray that he will come to know Jesus as his Lord and Savior. Through sports ministry, a church in Ivory Coast has reached a young man who may never have heard the gospel otherwise. Imagine the people you can impact in your community through sports.