A powerful platform for missions

Kaleel’s newfound faith and passion to reach his community hit a major obstacle when his family and neighbours turned against him, seeking his life. Forced to flee, Khaleel found refuge and support among fellow believers. He eventually connected with a young coach in the Horn of Africa who was using sports to transform his community. This coach helped Khaleel access training in Kenya. Equipped with new skills, Khaleel entered a jihadist-controlled area in the Horn of Africa, using sports to establish communities of believers.

Many have used sports to penetrate dark places.

Sports have incredible power to transform, inspire, empower, and unite. Nelson Mandela once said, “Sport has the power to change the world. It has the power to unite people in a way that little else does. It speaks to the youth in a language they understand.” With 32 Olympic sports and over 8,000 indigenous sports worldwide involving over 5.5 billion people weekly, sports speak a universal language. Khaleel’s story is not isolated. Many have used sports to penetrate dark places and it presents an amazing opportunity for African missions. However, the world of sports itself is often overlooked as a mission field.

Sports resonate deeply with us because God created us with talents and relationships to reflect his image (Genesis 1:26-28; 2:15, 18). Yet, we often misuse them, seeking love and identity apart from God, leading to brokenness and separation from him (Genesis 3:5, 16, 17-19). In this disordered affection, we turn away from our true Source. Nevertheless, God’s steadfast love endures. Through Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection, we receive new life and a restored relationship with God. This transformation allows us to play with joy and freedom, grounded in his love (Romans 12). Engaging in sports is a celebration of God’s creative power and a testament to the intricate design and purpose he instilled in humanity.

The unfinished task of missions faces significant gaps that sports can uniquely fill. Sports as an access ministry reaches unreached groups and nations, engaging people who might otherwise remain inaccessible. By leveraging the universal appeal of sports, ministries can bridge these gaps, effectively advancing the Great Commission.

Sport is a culturally relevant platform for mission, encompassing the lifestyle of 75 per cent of the world’s population. In Africa, the passion for sports is evident in stadiums, fields, and communities, where people gather for games and watch parties. Activities like walking, jogging, going to gyms, and watching games on TV are integral parts of everyday life, making sports a powerful tool for engagement.

God created us to reach the world with the Good News creatively, and sports ministry exemplifies this approach. Sports provide a non-threatening platform that crosses barriers of language, tribe, and religion, offering opportunities to enter restricted territories. Major events like the Africa Cup of Nations and the African Games facilitate connections with athletes and nations. Through sports, we plant churches, make disciples, and transform communities, responding to God’s call and harnessing the power of sports to spread the gospel across the continent just like Khaleel is doing.

In Volume 9.3 of AfriGO on this topic, read the stories of two coaches who are using football to disciple young people outside the church and to preach the gospel in a country where conventional evangelism is difficult. For our Called article, Coach Siyanda shares how he is addressing the problem of fatherlessness in South Africa’s suburbs through sports. In Perspective, Ishaya Durkwa delves into the opportunities sports offer for transformation and church planting, and highlights pitfalls to avoid. Enjoy these stories and more, and share this edition of AfriGO with others. Happy reading!

Marvin Zare is a life coach and sports consultant with experience in mission and sports leadership. Actively involved in Kenya’s sports movement, he focuses on disciple-making through sports, health and fitness, and supports The World Needs A Father (TWNAF) initiative with his wife, Njoki. They are passionate about family, fatherhood, motherhood, and mission sustainability. Marvin enjoys connecting with people, reading, football, and cycling. They have two daughters.  mavobravo@gmail.com.