Athletic Sites Can Share Word Of God On Web by Bethany Bradsher Faith in Play columnist
I have just returned from a mind-bending tour of sports ministries in cyberspace.
My unofficial survey produced this conclusion: Within every endeavor that finds people exerting their bodies, someone else is concerning themselves with saving souls.
It is at once comforting and astonishing that so many separate organizations exist for the purpose of sharing the Christian message through athletics. On the cusp of the 21st century, there is room for both the Fellowship of Christian Martial Artists and the Christian Martial Arts Association. Sports ministries websites link to other sites, seemingly endlessly, until it seems that everyone from an armchair athlete to Pro Bowl quarterback is included in someone's vision to spread the good news.
In about two hours of searching, I found web pages for 49 different ministries, and discovered some noteworthy trends:
The most evangelized athlete: Without a doubt, it's the rodeo cowboy. I found no fewer than eight groups devoted to reaching and encouraging bull riders and steer ropers. My favorite slogan came from a rodeo ministry website: "Gathering Strays For the Lord."
The preferred sport to reach the masses: Soccer. A few outreach organizations use other sports, but soccer's international appeal makes it an unbeatable ministry tool for groups like Ultimate Goal Ministries and Missionary Athletes International.
The best Christian sports website: My new favorite is thegoal.com, a site that promises to deliver "The heart and soul of the world of sports." It showcases athletes from every sport around the globe who stand for their beliefs. The latest installment has an extensive section about rugby, complete with terminology and testimonies from professional players.
The best name for a sports ministry: As a runner, I loved Bell Lap Ministries. The bell lap is the final lap in a race, signified by a bell. The Bible often describes the Christian life as a race, and discipline throughout the course really shows up on that final bell lap. The runner-up in this categories is one of the rodeo ministries - Brand of the Cross.
The most original mission: This distinction belongs to 4 Winds Christian Athletics, which was founded in 1988 to offer Christian responses to athletes with questions about cults and false religions.
The most widespread membership: Tennis Ambassadors, an internet-only ministry that seeks to link Christian tennis players, has members in 78 nations.
The best ministries for those who prefer to do their workouts without actually getting out of their chair: B.A.L.L. (Baseball and Lord Lovers) is a Christian fantasy baseball league. And I saw a reference to a golf ministry that does not cater to duffers who carry actual clubs and aim for actual birdies. Instead, it provides fellowship for people who play computer golf.
The ministry with the greatest sphere of influence: One of the world's most respected sports ministries, Athletes In Action is also one of the most ubiquitous.
AIA sponsors the full-time chaplains for 19 professional sports teams, including the Carolina Panthers and the Atlanta Braves. Their staff has a ministry presence on more than 100 college campuses throughout the U.S. They also have a coaches' ministry and a program where athletes in 11 different sports can travel the world competing and sharing their faith.
Speed boat drivers and fencers, boxers and equestrians, superstar athletes and recreational hobbyists. Each are served by different ministries, but all worship the same God. What an event it would be if the members of all of these groups gathered in some giant stained-glass arena to worship and play together.
Produced by NC-Smartfinder & The Star. Copyright © 1999.
by Bethany Bradsher Faith in Play columnist
Love to Serve Newsletter Copyright 2000