SEND magazine First Quarter 2007: Soccer Prize Money Builds a Church
Soccer Prize Money Builds a Church
From start to finish, the goal at every one of Gospel for Asia's 54 Bible colleges is to prepare each student for reaching the lost and planting churches among the unreached. Through six-month and summer outreach programs, many of these missionaries-in-training have established churches even before they graduate.
A group of GFA Bible college students in Myanmar (Burma) recently found a unique way to combine their deep passion to plant churches among the unreached with something they enjoy—playing soccer, or "football" as it is known around the world.
"We never thought we would be able to raise money for our mission field through doing what we Burmese love so much, and that is playing football," expressed a GFA Myanmar leader, speaking for the team he coached.
His student team first competed against teams from 13 other Bible colleges around the country. When they won, they were invited to take part in another tournament, playing against eight other teams.
They won that tournament as well. Next they were given the opportunity to participate with seven teams in a community competition—and won again.
"We praise God for allowing us to play 20 games without losing a single match!" commented the coach excitedly.
The students gave away the prize money they received in each tournament to provide for various needs on the mission field. Some of the money went to help the labors of Gospel for Asia missionaries in Myanmar. Another tournament's winnings funded a baptismal tank in an area of Myanmar where water is scarce.
With the rest of their prize money, the students blessed a GFA-related Believers Church in Myanmar with construction materials for their own building.
"All the players were so happy that they could have a part in helping construct this new church building," wrote a GFA field correspondent.
For Asian congregations, the existence of a church building is a special blessing that establishes a community presence, enhances the exposure and witness of the local church, and helps shelter congregations from anti-Christian attack and harsh climate conditions. Many of GFA's congregations meet in people's homes or rented facilities. Young, growing congregations of the Asian Church long and pray for a place of their own. In fact, even in their poverty, new believers will often eagerly donate whatever land or construction materials they can for a church building.
For this congregation in Myanmar that recently has been blessed with a facility of its own, the contribution of the Bible college soccer team is no doubt a source of much rejoicing. And these young men, who love the sport but whose passion is to reach their own people with the Gospel, are just as delighted.
"The whole team was so excited for the opportunity to use their talents for God's glory and for building His Church," shared their coach and leader.
More on the Web: To learn more about the significance of a church building to a growing GFA congregation, visit www.gfa.org/churches.
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