Seoul, April 5, Christians will be reaching out to soccer fans at the upcoming world cup in South Korea and Japan, May 31 June 30. Approximately 800,000 spectators are expected at the matches.
South Koreans are preparing an extensive outreach program in which they hope
to be joined by Christians from around the world. One in four fans will
come from "closed" regions where the proclamation of the Gospel is
forbidden.
Teams from 32 nations many with restricted religious liberty like the
Peoplešs Republic of China, Saudi Arabia and Turkey - are competing for the
world cup. The finals are held every four years.
But not only fans traveling to the Far East are to be reached with the
Gospel. In Germany, a book called "Soccer God" will be used to reach
enthusiasts of the round ball game.
Christian Pros playing for German clubs share their faith Germans like the
cancer stricken Heiko Herrlich (Borussia Dortmund) but also Brazilians like
Paulo Sergio (Bayern Munich) and Ze Roberto (Bayer Leverkusen).
German team manager Rudi Voeller wrote the preface to the book. Constant
pressure and even failure can throw players off balance, he writes. That's
why they needed "strong nerves, willpower and also a firm faith."
Nigerian born Gerald Asamoah - the first African in a German national squad
- also relates his faith experiences in a booklet entitled "Soccer more
than a game". Asamoah suffers from a heart deficiency. He says he has
found "a friend in Jesus who stays with me through thick and thin".
Seoul, April 5, Christians will be reaching out to soccer fans at the upcoming world cup in South Korea and Japan, May 31 June 30. Approximately 800,000 spectators are expected at the matches.
