Soccer in Soweto

Soccer in Soweto

Young boys on the outskirts of Johannesburg, South Africa, compete in a mini “World Cup.”

Photo Gallery

Four teams battle for victory as families and friends cheer from the sidelines.

Profile: Zach Townsend

Meet Zach, a missionary kid from Indonesia now ministering through sports in South Africa.

South Africa Is Still Here

The prayer of IMB urban missionaries in South Africa is that God would use the soccer World Cup to draw attention to the lost people of the nation’s cities. IMB missionaries minister in five cities that were hosts of the 2010 World Cup: Johannesburg, Pretoria, Cape Town, Durban and Port Elizabeth.

World Cup Ministries – Part II

South Africa is the first African nation to host the 2010 FIFA World Cup, a soccer tournament that many deem the most anticipated sporting event on earth. Christians are taking advantage of this to share Christ in local communities through soccer clinics, big screen showings, and more.

World Cup Ministries

South Africa is the first African nation to host the 2010 FIFA World Cup, a soccer tournament that many deem the most anticipated sporting event on earth. Christians are taking advantage of this to share Christ in local communities through soccer clinics, big screen showings, and more.

Forty Years of Influence

Franklin and Paula Kilpatrick worked among Zambian Christians as publishers of Christian literature, as teachers, as church planters and as leaders, friends and counselors for forty years. They retire next year and feel like they could keep doing what they are doing another forty years.

Unopened Hearts

Ibrahima Dieng has heard the Gospel many times, he is no closer now to being a Christian than he was ten years ago. He is typical of many residents of Dakar, Senegal, a city that is 96 percent Muslim.

A Better Alternative

IMB missionary Alan Locke and his team have started various ministries to build relationships and community with Sowetans. From coaching boys’ soccer teams and teaching girls’ clubs to leading abstinence and Christian living trainings, the missionaries are making an impact with the Gospel.

Reaching Mungiki

Kenyan pastor Michael Kabochi’s life is regularly threatened by Mungiki, a quasi-religious sect that’s synonymous with machete killings, rape and organized crime. But, Kobochi bravely shares the Gospel with Mungiki, claiming, “The blood of Jesus was shed for them as much as it was for me.”

Fighting Neverland

Chronic conflicts in Sudan have led to food shortages, a damaged economy and a lack of access to basic health services, education and jobs. Young IMB missionaries are using HIV/AIDS awareness, hygiene projects and other methods to share the Gospel and meet community needs.

Human Trafficking

Raped and kicked out of home, “Lisha” turned to a boyfriend who eventually forced her into prostitution. Transferred to another pimp and coerced into moving, she’s far from home and desperate for a way out. But with the coming of the World Cup, human trafficking will only increase in South Africa.

Violence in Nigeria

Over the past several years, churches in Jos, Nigeria, have been shaken by violent outbreaks in which both Christians and Muslims were killed. Over 500 are dead after the most recent attacks in March, 2010. Pastors struggle to know how to encourage suffering congregations.

Caught in the Crossfire

“I murdered people, and I raped women, and I enjoyed it,” says a former rebel solder in eastern Congo. With the help of local pastors, he and hundreds of other soldiers found forgiveness in Christ. But they, and their victims, still struggle with what they’ve done.

Fusion

Students spend a semester in southern Sudan putting into practice the previous semesters classroom learning of sharing about Jesus in harsh environment.

Africa Water Crisis

Baptist Global Response helps to relieve difficulties in obtaining potable water through pumping and filtering projects.

Healing Bodies, Healing Souls

All over the world, Christians use a variety of means to share the Gospel of Christ and reach the lost. For First Baptist Church of Alexander City, Alabama, hosting medical clinics opens the door to minister to both physical and spiritual needs.

“We escaped with our lives.”

The entire town, including the market area, was looted. All the food supplies were burned. In the end more than 10,000 people ran from Akot, Sudan, and the surrounding areas to seek shelter in 13 nearby villages.

Doll Maker

Kate Ncube hand makes and sells dolls of 17 southern Africa tribes, or people groups. “I enjoy learning about other cultures,” Kate said. “It gives me a lot of insight and helps me understand a person. To understand them, I must understand their culture!”

Mountain Men

Weeks without a bath. Blizzard conditions with only a coal stove for warmth. Layers of clothing that just get changed around every couple of days. Life is rough for three short-term missionaries in the mountains of Lesotho, but it’s worth it for the chance to share Christ’s love.

African-Americans Reaching Africans

Broadview Church is a pioneer — one of the first African-American congregations to tackle the challenge of taking the Gospel to an unreached people group in western Africa. “AfricaStories” will chronicle their journey, beginning here with their first vision trip.

Just Another Way to Die

If things don’t change, the Basotho people of Lesotho may cease to exist in less than 26 years. They’re dying of AIDS — some by choice, since contracting HIV entitles them to government help. In this impoverished mountain area, AIDS is just one more way to die.

Soccer in Soweto

An interschool soccer tournament in a South African township provides missionaries with opportunities to build relationships, impact a community and share the Gospel.

Life on the Streets of Nairobi

About 20 boys sleep on the streets of Nairobi’s Riverside. Some are orphans, some were abused, some were kicked out. Walk alongside Oscar, who’s beaten and tortured by the other boys. And meet Eunice, who’s burdened to help the boys despite some hateful actions.

Presidential Visit to Ghana

President Barak Obama challenges citizens of Ghana to take responsibility for building a better future. Hear Ghanaian Christians’ reactions to the speech, and explore the faith of this nation’s God-centered business people.

Amazing Grace

Ghana’s Cape Coast Castle is a haunting relic of the slave trade, but it’s also a beacon of light in a bustling tourist town. Here, reflections on evil turning to good, not only for the castle but also for a slave ship captain who penned the hymn “Amazing Grace.”

African American Challenge

African Americans have a strong and proud history in international missions. But in the last century that’s often what it’s been – history. Missionary Troy Lewis challenges the African American church to consider its heritage and continue embracing the task of taking the Gospel to the ends of the earth.

Zimbabwe: Attitude of Gratitude

Political and economic turmoil have resulted in hunger and hopelessness for many Zimbabweans. But a food distribution project spurred a cycle of giving that brought comfort and hope to some widows, a Christian publishing house and a school.

Profile: Zach Townsend

Hometown: Zach grew up in Salatiga, Indonesia, and claims Broken Arrow, Okla., in the U.S.

College: Ouachita Baptist University in Arkadelphia, Ark.

Call to missions: “Over my last semester in college and during a four-month church recreation internship, I felt the Lord calling me to give two years of my life to missions. Having grown up overseas I loved to travel and experience cultures but didn’t really want to go into missions. However, once I graduated from college God slowly started to change my heart. I love sports and thought, ‘Maybe I can still use sports as a way to share the Gospel.’ Little did I know what God had planned for my life! … I’m even starting to feel like this is something I want to do the rest of my life.”

Job Assignment: Journeyman, a two-year missionary with IMB

Ministry: Coaching kids soccer and sharing the Gospel with them and their parents

Free time activities: Hanging out with friends, watching movies, playing sports, running, exercising, hiking and enjoying life

Favorite thing about living in Africa: Playing with the kids and seeing them smile and have fun

Favorite food: Steak

Favorite Scripture verse: John 15:5

Prayer request: “That I will continually seek God’s will in my life each day and stay engrained in His Word daily!”

Interested in becoming a missionary like Zach? IMB offers short- and long-term missions opportunities for singles, families, retirees and everyone in between! Visit http://going.imb.org to explore your options.

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