North America (MNN) — As cities across Canada, Mexico, and the United States prepare to host millions of soccer fans, churches and local believers are preparing as well.
With games beginning June 11 and running until July 19, the World Cup attracts more viewers and attendees than any other tournament or event in the world.
“This provides a huge opportunity for evangelism,” John Pudaite with Bibles for the World says. “The U.S. will see an estimated 1.2 million visitors coming to attend the games. It’s reported that ticket requests came from 216 different nations and territories, and so, in essence, the U.S. is going to see the entire world visit during this month of World Cup matches.”
Churches have not missed the significance of the event.
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Believers are preparing to host watch parties on their church campuses as well as in their homes, welcoming their communities and out-of-towners through their church doors.
Additionally, some churches have banded together to do outreach outside stadiums in the hours leading up to the games.
At one of the World Cup locations this year, Seattle, Washington, churches have created a network for evangelism called Victory Seattle. The initiative aims to coordinate watch party events and street ministry, inviting people who are looking for victory to truly find it. One of these churches is led by Pastor Jesse Bradley, a former professional soccer player and goalkeeper.
Bibles for the World was contacted earlier this week to provide Bible materials for the outreach.
Pudaite says, “We’re just blessed to be able to provide Scriptures for them during the World Cup. We’ll be providing Gospels of John, Bibles, and New Testaments. Interestingly, we’re also going to provide key chains with QR codes that provide access to more than 2,000 languages available on the YouVersion app, so visitors from all of these countries will be able to access God’s Word.”
For some visitors from closed or restricted-access countries, the event presents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to share God’s Word with them.
If your city or church wants to get involved, Bibles for the World invites you to get in touch to receive Scriptures, especially the Gospel of John, in different languages and to order Gospels and key chains from the BFTW office.
“We certainly welcome that and look forward to partnering in the building of the Lord’s kingdom,” Pudaite says.
Please pray for the teams going out, that those witnessing will be strong in their faith, and that if they face people who are critical of or antagonistic toward the gospel, they will do what God has called them to do.
Pray that those hosting parties will have a solid opportunity to present the gospel and that people will be open to Christ.
“They may be coming, thinking they’re coming to watch the soccer matches,” Pudaite says, “but actually they may be coming and have a chance to meet Jesus face-to-face.”
Header Photo by Cristian Tarzi on Unsplash
