Deep in the bush, civilization miles away, no tap water, pit latrines, not to mention pesky mosquitoes, these are things that come to mind when you think of the old great missionary pioneers who dared everything to spread the message of reconciliation between God and us, the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
A friend of mine who decided to follow a similar path as the pioneers of old and he gave me a chance to participate in his calling from God.
A few years ago, a colleague of mine and I had the opportunity to visit Kenya and teach a group of young and energetic men how sports can be a powerful tool when it comes to spreading the Gospel, especially using sports camps.
One of the participants, Martin Ndolo, told us that he was sure God was calling him to go to a remote and rural area of Kenya, to a people who are not only poor and abandoned by their government, but also enslaved by superstitious beliefs and living in an Islamic area where Christianity and the spread of the Gospel of Christ are frowned upon.
He had always been looking for a way to connect with the churches over there, and now he had finally found the best tool to help his cause, the sports camps!
Three years later I got an invitation from him, he wanted me to go over there and help him run two camps where there would be over 150 kids and teens.
To my surprise and joy, another colleague who cannot speak Swahili or English (without them, communication with the locals is practically impossible) decided to come with me, and we were exceedingly surprised at how God used him despite the massive language barrier.
Twice a day we had the opportunity to talk about Jesus and share the message of His Gospel. Most of the campers had never heard of the things we were talking about, and we could see them soaking in every word they heard, as if they were afraid, they would never hear these things again. Many of the campers decided to give their lives to Jesus, and they decided to follow Christ.
This was a learning experience for me as well. I had to get my priorities straight again. Many have not heard the gospel and opportunities to bring the gospel to them abound.
For me, sports are one of the tools I have when it comes to spreading the gospel, and the world of sports is where I need to go to find the lost, those with whom God wants to be reconciled, whether they are great or small, rich or poor, esteemed or abandoned, whether they are talented or not, I just need to go!
Luke 19:10 And the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which is lost.
May I offer a challenge and ask you what opportunities God has given you to share His message? Are there people God has blessed you with to help you fulfill your calling from Him? Will you go as well?
I will always be grateful to my friend, through him I have been able to continue to follow my calling from God through something I love very much sports.
Matt. 28:18-20: Jesus approached them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore, go to all nations and make disciples of men, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And be sure, I am with you every day until the end of the world.