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World Cup 2010

Soccer and ministry opportunities in South Africa.

Athletes in Action was in South Africa during the World Cup June 11-July 11 taking opportunities for outreaches like The Prize DVD distribution.

During the summer, soccer brought different groups of people together when South Africa hosted the FIFA World Cup during June 11-July 11.

Read an update from an AIA chaplain who was there.

FIFA, the international soccer federation, holds a worldwide soccer tournament every 4 years. This year, the top 32 teams in the world competedfor the 19th FIFA World Cup, the pinnacle of soccer achievement.

With the World Cup in town, Athletes in Action (AIA) in South Africa geared up by:

• distributing The Prize DVD. The DVD is the 30-minute story of 6 elite soccer players from around the world who succeeded in all areas of soccer, but were looking for more out of life and found it in Christianity.
• helping assemble high-profile soccer teams and camps in hopes of bringing the gospel to South Africa’s top players.
• holding monthly camps and socials including the total athlete training camp, which is aimed at furthering the spiritual journey of these athletes.
• sending 10 teams to churches in South Africa to do clinics, play matches and give their testimonies.
• sending teams from Canada, France, Liberia, Zambia and Zimbabwe to different places throughout Africa.

AIA South Africa Director Chris Dirks said that the goal is not just to reach the athletes.

“The vision that we’re setting before them is we want to see the 4th generation,” he said referring to Paul's letter to Timothy. “The goal is not to just start a Bible study, but to find reliable men in the study.”

Paul wrote, “And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others" (2 Timothy 2:2).

Outreach Tools You Can Use (Whether in South Africa or on Your Couch)

• Buy a friend a copy of The Prize DVD in English (available now) or a multi-language DVD (available now)
• Share with others the story of 6 football heroes on their quest for the ultimate prize, and new life, in Chasing the Dream
• Send a friend a link to BeyondTheUltimate.org for stories of 5 players including America’s goalie, Tim Howard