“Even the women were allowed to join” – a missionary moment

Ambassadors Football work in Rwanda through Church Partnership

Ambassadors Football International, through a partnership with one of the largest Pentecostal Churches (ADEPR) in Rwanda, started community football programmes in 2017 to reach out to children with the gospel of Jesus. Now, more than 6000 children are involved on a weekly basis. Though the ministry has had great success, it started with difficulties.  The church was very conservative and did not believe in sport or allow women to wear pants or shorts to play football.

Therefore, Ambassadors started with training at the top of the church leadership, reminding them of Paul’s admonition in 1 Corinthians 9:22b: “I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some.”  To reach the young people who did not come to church, they must become sports people who might draw in the young people who were interested in sports.  They showed the example of incarnational ministry to the leaders, and with their permission they started small, asking the church to send their best sports people to reach out in the community.  Eventually, even the women were allowed to join – and wear trousers!

Ambassadors emphasized Football, Faith and Future, and a focus of each gathering on Bible Study along with sports and gameplay. The younger children are encouraged to memorize Scripture.  Now, it’s one of the biggest programmes in Africa!