
India (MNN) — The shouts and laughter of children fill the air at Mission India children’s Bible clubs. Sports are a core part of the curriculum used to reach kids with the good news of Jesus — and it makes a difference!
Bill* with Mission India shares the story of a troubled boy named Sumit. Life wasn’t easy in his house. His father had passed away when he was very young, and his two older brothers made the poor choices that Sumit followed. Eventually, he was kicked out of school.
But one thing remained steady: Sumit’s love for the game of cricket! He dreamed of being on the national team for India.

Kids playing cricket at a Children’s Bible Club (Photo courtesy of Mission India)
“His mother, through the grief of losing her husband and not knowing what to do with these three boys, gave her life to Christ,” says Bill.
The pastor at their church suggested that she send Sumit to a children’s Bible club. One of the first activities that day? Cricket!
“[It] just so happened [that] one of the helpers of the leader of the Bible club was very good at cricket. He and Sumit developed a friendship,” says Bill.
“Over the course of about six months, the misbehaviors that Sumit was so good at were replaced with positive behaviors. About seven months in, he gave his life to Christ.”
Sumit’s story is one of many, where a child just needs someone to take an interest in them.
“One of our ministry principles… follows this B.L.E.S.S. acronym: the body, the labor (the work that people do), emotional support that people need to develop, their social skills and their spiritual skills [or] their spiritual development.”
Bible club leaders shower kids with the love of Christ and provide academic and spiritual instruction, along with the chance to play sports!
“I think that’s the secret sauce,” Bill says, referring to the leaders. “You know, you have somebody from the community who’s given their life to Christ to lead children into a relationship with Jesus.”
Would you pray for the children of India? Consider partnering with Mission India to reach them. A gift of $36 per month sponsors 18 kids for an entire year of Bible club. (Want to see what club looks like? Watch this video!)
“The opportunity for children is just unbelievable. It’s a great place to invest prayer. It’s a great place to invest resources,” says Bill.
“Pray specifically that the children of India would be turned toward our Almighty God. I believe it’s an undeniable right that children should be able to know their father. To be able to offer that to millions of children that haven’t ever met God, we would certainly like to make that offer.”
*name withheld for security
Header photo: Kids playing cricket at a Children’s Bible Club (Photo courtesy of Mission India)