Big international sporting events - Euro 2004 and the Olympic Games - has made the great continent of Europe rise in spirit. Sports are enjoyed by all walks of life and BMS, a Baptist worldwide mission group, considers sports a “catalyst” to present the Gospel in relevant ways and attracting people to church. This summer, BMS will utilise the lively atmosphere in Europe to carry out sports ministries in partnership with local churches, in an attempt to turn Europe’s passion for sport into the passion for Christ.

BMS prays that through its sports ministries, peoples' interests in Christianity will be raised. It hopes that church members leading sporting events will be good witnesses, promoting fair play, good sportsmanship and positive teamwork.

Meanwhile, in Albania, where the majority of boys and young men are not Christians or involved in church life, sports ministries has proved to be a very effective way to attract them to come to the church. As reported by BMS, in the Way of Hope Baptist Church in Tirana, a football team was formed. Team members meet every Saturday for a football match. Most importantly, they receive spiritual guidance from the pastor of the church. A monthly footballers’ prayer meeting allows them to reflect on the Bible and how Christians should be an example for others. As more and more new faces are added to the team every week, a church football team from the UK is visiting in June to help with the future direction of this ministry.

A similar strategy is being applied in Brazil, where people especially love football. In a Baptist church in Baturité, north east Brazil, a BMS minister met the need for sport in the community by creating a sports area. More than that it also provides a chance for evangelism to be carried out among young people, as almost every afternoon up to 20 young people turn up to play football there. Moreover, through organising five-a-side football and volleyball tournaments, lots of outsiders are attracted to the church.

In Croatia and Belgium, BMS sports outreach is also developing well. In partnership with the MV DOULOS, a ship ministry devoted to social service and evangelism under Operation Mobilisation, a football match was organised in March in Dubrovnik. According to BMS ministers, a sizeable crowd enjoyed the match, and they spent half their time dancing and giving Christian testimony.

Nowadays, the way of evangelism is becoming more and more diversified and flexible. From the experience of BMS, sports ministries are proving to be useful in drawing young people closer to church. Starting from local churches, even though the beginning is very small - such as a football team with just several members, it grows in number gradually. Other strategies and direction will have to be launched as further steps to true success continue.