Spend Yourself Well

Aug 13, 2019 | Sports Friends Africa, Sports Friends Nigeria

Serving changes our lives. Surrounded constantly by all kinds of needs, we’re all daily presented with the opportunity to either give our lives to others, or try to keep them for ourselves. 

Our Sports Friends staff in Nigeria know firsthand the struggles of life in a place filled with the insecurity, insufficiency, and discouragement of an unjust world. They live in it, too. But they have met the Savior and Redeemer, who is making all things new. Their hope is not tied to this world, and is not undone by unstable politics or economic disparity. It is in Christ, who loved them and gave Himself for them. This hope transforms them and in turn deeply impacts those they choose to give themselves to in response. 

Meet Icy and Moses, two of our wonderful Sports Friends Nigeria team:

Coach Icy

Though he began by simply volunteering with the local church’s team, Icy was drawn into the work of Sports Friends. He committed to invest further, and attended trainings and camps without any expectation of compensation. Through the training sessions he completed, he learned so much more about God and His love for people. He’s learned different crafting skills through the trainings and camps. He has met many men and women who love to serve God and the young people around them, and learns from their humility. Currently, Coach Icy occupies a part-time position as one of our Nigerian staff, helping to strengthen and continue the work throughout the country. His life has been transformed, and it is evident. He has returned to his family, and his parents see and testify to the work of God in his life. He is highly regarded and his ministry is spoken well of both in his home, and throughout his home region.  

Coach Moses

Coach Moses was also brought up attending church weekly, but he learned to really walk with Jesus in the setting of sports. He began as a Sports Friends volunteer in 2009, and has been full-time staff since 2012. He is now a national leader in Nigeria; in charge of training thousands of brothers and sisters to multiply disciples through sports. He speaks with deep conviction and joy,

Serving with Sports Friends has transformed my own personal life. I learned what it means to have a deep relationship with Jesus… I’ve learned how to submit to the Lord, and how to relate to people. My life is not about me, but about the Lord Jesus and about other people. Through ministry, I have come to see that it is a privilege to serve, and I am learning how to serve. By serving people, we are serving the Lord. No one can take that away from me.”


Through devoted service, these two coaches, Icy and Moses, have poured out their lives, energy, and love to hundreds of young people all over Nigeria. We praise God for their faithful service!

“For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:45)