How 46 Watch Parties Turned a Parking Lot into a Place of Hope
BEL AIR, Md. — Tommy Schumacher, area director for Fellowship of Christian Athletes® in Harford County, Maryland, hosted 46 soccer watch parties in partnership with Cru®’s Victory Beyond the Cup.
Schumacher invited local pastors, FCA staff, and local soccer professionals to gather in the parking lot of the FCA office to use the global soccer tournament as an opportunity to build community and introduce people to Jesus. Some matches drew a larger crowd than others, with some bringing as many as 200 community members together. At every match, those who joined the watch party heard a soccer professional share how following Jesus transformed their life. Some of these testimonies came from videos provided by Victory Beyond the Cup, and some were shared in-person by local soccer professionals.
“Sport is something that unites people and brings them together,” Schumacher says. “That’s where people are, so it’s an amazing way for church members to share their faith — watching a sporting event together, eating together, getting to know each other, telling their stories, encouraging people and praying for them.”
Many friendships formed, and through those new relationships, some individuals received the hope of Jesus.
During one watch party, a woman who had recently been transferred to a new job down the street, saw the food tent and asked if she could purchase some food. She joined the 10 or so church volunteers huddled under tents, who offered her the free snacks they had available.
“Did you do this all for me?” she joked. “Why would you do that?”
Schumacher laughed and said, “Because God loves you.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” she said. “The God I know is always angry, and we’re afraid of Him.”
For the next two hours, she talked with different volunteers who shared their testimonies with her, encouraging her and praying with her.
“I think I want this God you’re talking about. I want to know this Jesus,” she said.
Schumacher gave her a Bible and prayed with her as she put her trust in Jesus. She came to another watch party after work two days later with so much joy on her face. She held one of their “Free Event” signs by the road, inviting others to come and watch.
On two separate occasions, ride-share drivers pulled over to watch the game, and Schumacher was able to share The Four®, Cru’s simple gospel presentation, with each of them.
At the final watch party, more than 100 people showed up in the parking lot, including a young woman from India who found the event through a Google search. She came hoping to meet new people and make friends. There, she met one of FCA’s summer interns, Lia, and they watched the match together. As she heard Lia describe her relationship with Jesus, she wanted to know more so she could know Him, too.
Tommy Schumacher shares his heart for Victory Beyond the Cup partnerships.
People like Schumacher saw God at work through watch parties all over the country this summer in partnership with Cru’s Victory Beyond the Cup. The tournament may be over, but there are always opportunities to talk about God in everyday conversations.
