WHO

We define the People of Sport as those who see the world and themselves primarily through their own experience as performance-based Sports People. This is a mindset, which is not based on age, gender or current competence in sport.

The People of Sport, therefore, include Sports Players, Coaches, Officials and Administrators and other Sport Professionals who are part of the World of Sport.

The family members of the Sport Person are also included and involved.

Read more: Serving the People of Sport and Proclamation by Sports People

As SPS (Serving People of Sports)  continues to mobilize athletes for global impact, people everywhere are hearing the life-changing message of victory in Jesus Christ.

Evangelistic efforts built around high-profile sporting events like the Soccer World Cups, the Olympic games and the Rugby World Cup, challenge millions to make a personal decision to follow Jesus.

In June 2010 the World’s eyes will be on South Africa, the host of the Soccer World Cup™. We believe that God is going to turn the hearts of our people back to Him.  We see that the professional soccer players in our country are influencers, either bad or good.  If God starts changing the hearts and actions of these players, we believe it can be one of the things that can start changing our country. God has given us a passion not only to minister to these players in our country, but also to train them.

We use the one language they speak,Soccer, to give the people the one message of salvation: Jesus Christ our Lord.

A week long soccer camp will take place for the top South African youth between the ages of 15-18 years. Initially  for boys, however it is the intention to add a girls camp later in 2009.  The goal of the camp is to develop the Total Athlete: Physically, Mentally and Spiritually. Eventually it is the desire of the SPS Workgroup to partner with SAFA in making these camps an annual event with only the best youth players attending. The coaches of the camp will consist of local and international high level Christian coaches, as well as local professional players.

After the camp the participants will be linked with a local church that will help them to grow spiritually. A mature Christian player will also be given the responsibility to mentor them. If the top young players can be discipled we will see strong mature players entering the top leagues in SA. We hope they will be soccer players of stature and integrity and players who can make a stand for our Lord Jesus.

AIA (Athletes in Action) USA produced a DVD that shares four fascinating stories of players and their participation in the World Cup.  Each player shares his/her personal highs and lows through victories and defeats, but most importantly openly they discuss their faith in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour.

In the 2006 “The Prize” DVD we were able to re-live the excitement of the best goals and saves from the past and hear from players such as Ednilson, Lucio, Ze Roberto, Lee Young-Pyo, Cyrill Domoraud and Tim Howard.

For 2010 AIA will be producing an updated DVD in line with ‘The Prize” 2006 World Cup.  The focus of this DVD will be for the church outreaches and for public television viewing.

The 2006, “The Prize” was shown in 81 countries to 270 Million people and 450 750 were distributed.  It is our goal to build from these numbers in 2010 and beyond. You can go and look at the trailer on www.the-prize.org