For the last month, we have had the opportunity and privilege to be interns for The Fellowship of Christian Athletes in New Hampshire and Canada. The first two weeks were spent running soccer camps in New Hampshire for kids entering grades 1-8. It was an amazing opportunity to learn how to reach and teach soccer players about the love of Jesus Christ. By the end of the two weeks, we had many players accept Jesus as their Savior and ask Him into their hearts.
After coaching in New Hampshire, we departed for Ontario, Canada. During the first week, we ran a morning FCA soccer camp and then partnered with Athletes in Action for an afternoon sports camp. The soccer camp went extremely well, and we were able to reach many kids for Christ. The result was phenomenal, as their soccer skills and their faith in Jesus increased immensely over the week. After coaching in New Hampshire, we departed for Ontario, Canada. During the first week, we ran a morning FCA soccer camp and then partnered with Athletes in Action for an afternoon sports camp. The soccer camp went extremely well, and we were able to reach many kids for Christ. The result was phenomenal, as their soccer skills and their faith in Jesus increased immensely over the week.
The afternoon partnership camp was extremely diverse, and most of the kids at the camp did not know Jesus. When we first started the camp, it was chaos, and most of the kids had behavioral issues. However, we continued to show them love and teach them about Jesus. The change in the kids’ hearts throughout the week was tangible; each day it was as if we had new kids. By the last day, they were eager to continue to learn more about Jesus -- kids were asking how to go to church, and a few accepted Jesus into their lives. It was a blessing to be able to be in this community and share our love of sports and Jesus with the kids.
After camps finished, our team headed to Toronto for a few days of street ministry. Most of us had little to no prior experience doing this type of ministry, so we really were trusting God to lead us. We were unprepared for the plans God had for us in those few days. We were able to pray for multiple people, but in two specific instances, the change was immediately evident. We prayed for a homeless man who was suffering from cancer, and who later told us he was on the verge of suicide. We were able to lay hands on the man and pray for him, and even though he didn’t believe in God, he immediately fell to the ground and started weeping and thanking us. On another occasion, we were able to pray for another homeless, satanic man, and when praying for him, he began weeping and decided his life needed a change. We were able to get him new clothes and spend time with him.
God had such an amazing plan for each individual that we were able to reach during the past month. The campers and those in Toronto were impacted in their faith, and our faith grew as well! We found that the best way to minister to and reach kids is in sports. Once we were able to have a common bond and connection, it was easy to teach them why Jesus is so important on the field, in the world, and at home. This month has been an unforgettable and life-changing time, and we are very excited to see what the future holds for Canada, FCA and our lives.
Blessings,
Courtney, Rusty, and Dylan
Click here to support future ministry projects in Canada.