Tennis Ministry newsletter November 1, 1999

Love to Serve News November 1, 1999

The famous British singer, Cliff Richards, is a Christian and loves tennis. He started a ministry to former Soviet-eastern European nations using tennis as the vehicle to reach orphans and the under-privileged. Christian coaches travel to these countries and working with local churches as they teach tennis. The coaches develop a friendship with the children and then the churches are there when the coaches return to Britain. In this way they take the message of Christ in action and love.

Before a message can be communicated it is necessary that we understand what the message is. You can show the message by your actions, which the Bible calls fruits of the Spirit. Or you can explain the message, which the Bible calls the Gospel of Christ. The words from the Bible are empowered by the Holy Spirit. This is why is important that you use words from the Bible as a base for sharing with others.

You do not need to be a perfect Christian to share with others, but you do need to have a perfect message.

For the most effective response to reaching others, you need the respect of those listening to your message. Do they see problems in your own life? Give people a chance to see that you are working on solving these problems and they will listen to you.

From the beginning of my Christian walk I have attempted to tell others how Christ can change any life. I have had a message from the Bible, but in many cases my own life did not reflect a Christian life. While I led many to Christ, my life also lead several away from Christ. Thankfully, now I walk daily and closely to God and I have learned that it is never to late to turn from sin, and God will honor this. Then the power of God will truly rest upon your shoulders as you deliver the message.

I would like to list some ways that I have found can share the message of Christ through tennis. 1. Smile to others. Then tell others why you are happy and that Christ has changed your life.
2. Have a written testimony from an athlete to give out. Michael Chang's is the best one I have seen for tennis. You can find it here: http://www.gospelcom.net/ats/samples.html
You may also check out our links page and find testimonies to print at: http://www10.bravenet.com/freelink/show.php?userid=kg81884#Professional
3. Invite someone to your church that you play tennis with.
4. Attend a Bible study and then invite someone.
5. Start a Bible study for tennis coaches or players in your club.
6. Have a Christian tennis play day at your club, and promote it through the local media. This is a great way to get to know other believers and network.
7. Organize a tennis mission trip to another place. Find a mission agency that is interested in sports and have them assist you.
8. Make it a point to take a young person playing tennis under your wing, and spend time disciplining them into Christian life. Evangelist, Winkie Pratney, tells me he does this several times a year.
9. Contact local churches and ask if they can put you into contact with other tennis players. Then network to see what can be done to use tennis ministry.
10. Go to tennis tournaments and give out tennis ministry information or Chang's testimony.
11. Contact a local tournament as a church and see if you can offer any volunteer activities for them. (Family Circle Cup women's tournament in South Carolina works with a local ministry.)
12. Post something in your club on the bulletin board letting others know of your interest in tennis ministry.
13. Start a Christian tennis newsletter. (In South Africa, a Christian tennis magazine was started and now has a base of 20,000.)
14. Forward tennis ministry to your friends.
15. Have a patch made up or wear some identifying insignia notifying other's that you a Christian. (This year we hope to have patches that can be sewn on.)
16. Have a local tennis tournament for churches.
17. If you are a Coach then identify that you are member of Tennis Ambassadors Christian Ministry to your members.
18. If you are a member of coach's organization then join or start a Christian group within the organization.
19. Start a tennis camp with a Christian focus.
20. Financially support any form of tennis ministry
21. If you have a court at your home, use if for tennis ministry and sharing.
22. Write editorials to tennis magazines from a Christian tennis player viewpoint.

Please feel free to let me know of any other ideas that you may have. We will post them to our website in the future.

Remember the Lord will bless you as you honor Him.
Rev. Bob Kraft

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