What others have said

People love sport because: we stay fit, get excitement in my week, it is my real talent, I hang out with others, I just love the feeling of freedom, I love to train hard and accomplish something difficult.

Dive deeper

Game On for Faith: Why Sports Matter to the Church

Let's talk about sports! Chances are, you love them just as much as I do. In our city, and maybe yours too, more people participate in sports or fitness activities than attend church services. This is a big difference!

Sports: A Powerful Language

Here's the exciting part: sports offer a massive opportunity for the church. The church isn't anti-sports; it celebrates the positive values of sportsmanship like teamwork, perseverance, and respect. These values align beautifully with many faiths!

Nelson Mandela famously said, "Sport has the power to change the world." He saw how sports:

• Move people: Sports inspire and motivate, bringing people together with passion and fun.
• Break down barriers: Language isn't a hurdle! Two teams can play soccer even if they speak different languages. Sports connect people across cultures, like during the World Cup or when welcoming refugees.
• Bring hope: From young players getting better to chasing personal bests, sports offer hope for a brighter future. In a world that often feels hopeless, this is powerful!

Just imagine the potential: Jesus' message of hope communicated through the world of sports!

The Power is in the Numbers

Look at this graph! It shows how massive sports are compared to church attendance. Twice as many people are involved in sports in some way, whether playing, watching, coaching, or even just following sports news. Sports are a global language, understood by billions.

• Internet users = 4.4 billion (statista.com)
• Smart phones = 2.5 billion (statista.com)
• Church = 2.4 billion (Wikipedia)
• Sports interest = 4.7 billion (number of people who watched 2008 Games - Nielsen Media Research)

The Call to Action

Let's harness the power of sports! This session is just the beginning. Join us to explore how we can use our love for sports to share faith and inspire hope in our communities.

Nelson Mandela quote

As Nelson Mandela said, “Sport has the power to change the world. It has the power to inspire. It has the power to unite people as little else can. It speaks to you people in a language they can understand. Sport can create hope where there was once only despair. It is more powerful than governments at breaking down racial barriers.”