Sports camps and smiles open doors for the Gospel among the Hindus.

India (MNN)–Nations that are normally closed to missionary efforts often open their doors to OC International’s Sports Ambassadors teams. This was proven true on a recent SA trip to southern India’s Tamil Nadu State.

OC’s Robin Cook says the change in the government also helped free the atmosphere for invitation. “Sports Ambassadors was invited by Sports Ministry in Coimbatore and Sports Ministry in Chennai, to do clinics, and play basketball games in schools and with the YMCA.”

Cook says the freedom teams felt to share Christ was due to the response. “We brought an Evangecube–it’s a great thing to present [the Gospel], and we did that with the Hindus, and they were excited. A lot of them kept asking, ‘Can I keep this? Can I have this?’ We had great opportunities [to share the Gospel], whether one on one, or with a whole group of 200 or 300 that came to the clinic, or that were in the school assembly.”

Beyond the testimonies in stadiums and through mass media, athletes also minister through sports clinics in schools, churches, universities, prisons, and town squares.

Sports Ambassadors’ players and coaches are selected from college campuses and sports organizations around the world. Participants are chosen on the basis of their commitment to Christ, their willingness to give public witness to their faith, and their proven athletic ability.