Evangelism Through Sports
Haitian Christian OutreachImagine asking a group of teenagers to gather around and listen while you share the Gospel and provide some words of encouragement… That’s exactly what I did.
Last month, I spent my free time in Peredo, to acquaint myself with some of the youth who make use of the basketball and soccer fields on campus. As many of you know, my expertise is in basketball, so I used my knowledge as and opportunity to join them during some of their basketball “games.” I say games using quotes because they were not using basketball principals and they did not have many skills to say the least. One of the kids elbowed me and gave me the worse bruised rib I’ve ever experienced in all my years playing basketball. It was so painful I will never forget it.
I started by teaching them some fundamentals and techniques and they soon warmed up to me. They started to look up to me and that’s how I started talking to them about life, inquiring about their hopes and dreams, what they think about the current state of Haiti, and what plans, if any, they have for Haiti in the future. Some of their answers were expected “Haiti is hopeless and when I grow up I would love to leave the country and go elsewhere.” Other answers were insightful “…we can’t give up on our country because we are the future and if we all leave, our country will never get better.”
During our conversations, I introduced them to what I consider one of the introductory Bible verses, John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” I explained to them what the verse meant while they listened intently.
Unfortunately, but rightly so, we had to suspend all gatherings due to the Coronavirus. The kids are still keeping in touch with me, and they’ve been reassured that the sporting activities will resume after the restrictions are lifted.
We are taking baby steps, but I believe that sports are a great tool to reach the youth in Haiti, and I will continue to use it as a vehicle to reach as many young people as possible.
–JoJo Jord
Associate Director of Operations in Haiti
Partner with HCO to support the work in Haiti:
Comments (2)
Comments are closed.
Loren+Roberts
I’m praying for H C O, staff, ministers, kids andHaiti every morning.
In Christ’s love
Carol Remington
Yes, JoJo, sports are a wonderful way to reach the young for Christ. God has blessed you with the ability to use that avenue for His glory. Looks like the boys you are working with in the photo are also at a very impressionable age. God bless you. I am praying for you and the work in Peredo.