While 2020 altered plans dramatically and pushed back certain visions for the year, Divisional Vice President South Global Vincent Asamoah is focused on the spread of God’s strength and goodness through the continent of Africa instead.
“Many would have thought COVID-19 would have changed things from bad to worse, but God has turned good from evil!” he said, referring to Genesis 50 and the restoration of Joseph’s dreams after more than a decade of setbacks.
Staff growth and development has been an answered prayer and highlight for the division. Moses Muge in Kenya and Christo Spies with Sports for Christ in South Africa, leaders of International Sports Partner (ISP) organizations in their respective countries, have joined the team, now fusing together three full-time staff and four partners to lead ministry together with Muge. Asamoah marveled at the mighty things God has done to create a cohesive team and granting favor with influential community coaches and leaders.
Growth has also been personal, as Asamoah and his team have made physical, mental and spiritual development a priority. “We believe we can’t give what we don’t have,” said Asamoah, “so individual growth has been stressed during our one-on-one conversations.”
The feedback has been positive, with staff and leaders feeling genuinely cared about, loved and listened to regarding events and ministry. Asamoah noted consistent communication this year was also a key and will build on this foundation moving forward.
Ministry impact across the division highlight the connective work God arranged across the countries. One channel that created deeper communication was the virtual 3D Coaching™ training Christo Spies organized in South Africa, after he returned home from the international capacity conference earlier this year more determined than ever to reach out to more coaches.
“I began to realize coaches have more time now more than ever… every coach was so impressed with 3D Coaching and support from the Huddle that they kept telling others,” Spies said. In the last six months, he has connected with over 130 coaches through the virtual training, and 17 Huddles have been created. Plans for another virtual 3D Coaching™ training session are in the works for the fall.
“I know the pandemic wasn’t a surprise to the Lord,” Spies added, “but ministry has just exploded. We’re looking forward to seeing what the Lord has in store for us.”
In Kenya, regional director Moses Muge’s found his prayers for reaching coaches and athletes answered through connections with seven passionate soccer coaches from the five biggest cities. Muge trained them in sports ministry for five months, and when the government gave statistics of youth struggling through the quarantine, they began brainstorming ways to encourage these young men and women and put together small groups led by coaches.
In the Democratic Republic of Congo, staff member Moussa has found a translator to put FCA materials into French free of charge because of an established relationship with FCA and a desire for the people of the nation to have the materials in their “heart language.”
“God is truly unstoppable,” Asamoah affirmed. “In spite the uncertainties COVID-19 brought, some of our teammates have done some amazing ministry work.”
Impact continues to grow as South Global shifts its focus to even greater things God has in store for the division in the next year.
Pray for God to raise up more leaders in South Global and for FCA staff to grow. Pray for key relationships to continue to build, for wisdom and discernment.
Get involved with South Global here and visit fcaworld.org to learn more about what God’s doing around the globe through FCA.
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