Soccer, Community, and Connection: How Orlando Neighbors Found Common Ground

ORLANDO, Fla.—There aren’t many things that can bring 700 people together on a hot July day, but Cru’s Family Festival was one of them.

Orlando neighbors, Cru® staff members and the Orlando Eagle Soccer community gathered at the Bright Ministry Center for soccer clinics, food and a watch party of Friday’s global soccer match hosted by Cru’s Victory Beyond the Cup.

Children’s laughter echoed down the hallways and throughout the grounds as they played in inflatables. Cheers roared in the auditorium as the two nations competed live on the big screen. Everywhere you looked, people were gathered, chatting, eating and laughing. 

“Soccer brings people together, brings nations together, and then God opens the door to share the gospel,” said Austin Shaner, executive director for the Orlando Eagles. “One of the things I love about soccer is [that it] helps us become friends and opens the door to be able to point us towards the greatest thing of all — Jesus.” 

Forming relationships was at the heart of the Family Festival, according to Melissa Bouchachia, event host with Cru. She shared that the event catered to children, families and anyone with a penchant for soccer.

“What I really loved about doing this event today was that we got to bring everybody together from around the community to build relationships … and seeing all the people enjoy themselves and also get to hear the gospel at the same time,” Bouchachia said.

During halftime, Jeremy Reddy with Athletes in Action® presented the gospel using The Four®, explaining the symbols on the bracelets each attendee received and walking through the gospel message. At the heart of the Family Festival was the idea that soccer is not just a sport to watch but an opportunity to bring Jesus into your relationships through intentional gatherings and conversations.

The auditorium was filled with stories of how outreach resources from Victory Beyond the Cup are making an impact in cities, communities and neighborhoods. 

Sharon Lee heard about Victory Beyond the Cup through an Instagram advertisement. She responded to the ad and was connected to two Cru staff members who taught her how to host a watch party. 

So Lee took that skill and hosted one at her church, Grace Frontline Ministries, where a crowd of young people attended after hearing about the event on TikTok. She said people at the event were interested in learning about Jesus, and now Lee and her church have been following up with each individual. 

“They have never had people, you know, reach out to them, call them, ask them [about] their walk with God, where they’re at, and they were just amazed that someone cared,” Lee said. 

Another attendee, Joy Schultheis, a staff member with Cru who moved to the area less than five months ago, heard about Victory Beyond the Cup, downloaded a free host kit, and began knocking on her neighbors’ front doors. 

She said the kit helped her move past her fear of rejection to inviting neighbors into her home for food and connection. 

Schultheis had five neighbors come to her watch party, and she’s excited to continue building relationships, already planning her next community event. 

“I believe that people need the gospel,” Schultheis said. “They need Jesus. Maybe they need community. Maybe they need a connection, and someone actually comes and invites them … I could tell people were like, ‘Wow, you're inviting me?’ … There's something about that humility and just inviting. It models what Jesus did. He humbly invited people to join him. And not everybody did, but he took the initiative.”

Host Your Own: If you’re interested in opening your home or church to your community, download your free online host kit today.

Read More: For more stories of how God is moving through Victory Beyond the Cup, check out this page.