Young Retirees Find New Ministry in Soccer Coaching
In Waterloo, Ontario, Gary and Jo-Anne, a "young" retired couple, have embarked on a new career as soccer coaches. Every Tuesday evening from early June to late August, they train neighborhood kids on their church grounds with the help of volunteers. On Wednesdays,...
The Hard Road to Hope
In recent years the industrialized world has sought to recover from a devastating global pandemic. It was a disaster that had separated people from those they loved, confined families to small spaces and robbed their freedom to pursue life, work, and relationships...
Taking it to the Next Level
Ben Wildman is full of energy, an insightful communicator, and a bold bringer of new ideas. I had the chance to chat with him about how he’s implemented innovation in the training of Sports Friends’ coaches – what he calls the “bread and butter” of the...
Through the Eyes of an Intern
What's it like to intern with Sports Friends? We asked DK Roy, one of our summer interns, to share about her recent experience. "It all started when my plane touched down on the tarmac of a foreign place to me. My heart was full of uncertainty and excitement. I was...
Soul Brothers
Tripp Johnston, Co-Founder of SIM’s Sports Friends ministry, has recently published a new book, Soul Brothers. This book is an inspiring account of God’s work in Tripp’s life and in Berhanu Kebede’s life, including the initial launch and early growth of Sports...
Meager Gifts, Multiplied
"Me? A soccer coach?" Pastor Gloh chuckled to himself as he recalled his feeble gait and weak legs. He was one of many victims of poliomyelitis, the notorious viral infection that had paralyzed millions of children around the world, and was only eradicated from...
Getting in the practice: Terri uses her voice
Terri is a brilliant coach. You could say she grew up with sports right from the womb. Her mother played softball and was a strong athlete. That’s where Terri learned to love sports: in the family. As a young adult, she injured her knee. She tore some ligaments...
Kaleidoscope Contingent
Last October, Sports Friends hosted a 20-year celebration in Charlotte, NC. Local friends, supporters, and ambassadors of the ministry joined with national and regional leaders from the Americas, Africa, Asia, and Europe to celebrate God's wonderful works. Plenty of...
Strong Love
The apostle Paul wrote to the Corinthians that “love always protects” (1 Corinthians 13:7). The Sports Friends model thrives because more than 12,000 volunteer coaches embody this feature of God’s kind of love to the young people they work with. The teams are not like...
A Light on the Way
By Sandra Gargate Have you ever tried to find your way in the dark without the help of a light? If you have, you may have suffered the painful consequences of a stubbed toe, or worse! As a parent longs to see their child walk safely and firmly, likewise, our God...