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pray for sports ministry


 

1 Chronicles 16:11  NLT 

Search for the Lord and for his strength; continually seek him.


I want to take you on a journey that started February 2019.  Yes, it was four years ago that God did something in my heart that continues to ring in my heart, gets my feet moving and helps me get others in the mix of serving.


The outreach known as back2school is underway for 2023, and it is going to be another great year we believe.  In 2019 we took internationally what we have been doing in Virginia and other places across several states.  A trip to Cuba was organized with our shoe partner, Samaritan’s Feet.  Almost 30 people gathered, prayed, went and several.


That was a great trip.  It had its issues, like the Cuban customs took hundreds of pairs of shoes we had.  That didn’t stop our pursuit of God.  Over that next week we served several hundred kids and lots of adults.  We washed feet.  We told stories.  We shared and prayed and loved and played… we told people and showed people the love of God.


There are so many things that trip did for each of us that was on the trip, but for me it took me to a new level as many of you may know by now.  And it keeps on touching my heart and filling my calendar.


Matthew 19:14  NLT  

But Jesus said, “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to those who are like these children.”


I sat across the table at what is now my favorite restaurant in Havana, The Lateral in the neighborhood of 10 October, from a young man with a huge heart.  Alexander Martinez left his job with the telephone company a few years before to lead this sports ministry.


Alex leads a team or more than ten people across the country sharing the Gospel through the vehicle of sports.  All of it is tied to the local church and people who are willing to give their time and talents to help young people learn skills, play sports and learn who they are created by God to be.


I can tell you that I have seen God move in wonderful ways over the last four years, and we have only just begun.  I look forward in the weeks ahead to sharing with you the power of this ministry and how God is working.  I look forward to telling you stories of boys and girls, young men and women are giving their lives to Christ.  And you can be part of this incredible this happening.


Monday I will leave on my seventh trip to Cuba.  I am honored to be part of a group of people who serving with, encouraging and supporting the sports ministry staff in Cuba and their families.  It is known as MADEM / FCA, and this is an opportunity to serve others by sharing Christ through the avenue of sports and the church.


Please pray for this trip, and if you would like to know how to get involved, let me know.  Thank you ahead of time for stepping up as God leads you to do.

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