By Ishaya Inuwa, SF Nigeria
Today we bring you a story from one of our missionary coaches. Presently, we are witnessing a great harvest through the work of Evangelical Missionary Society of ECWA (EMS). Many of these missionaries live in difficult terrains; they don’t have good access roads, and they are without cell phones or Internet. Therefore, their stories are often not captured. But God has helped us to visit Coach Godfrey who is serving in a North-Central region of Nigeria.
Coach Godfrey has this to say:
“I had been playing soccer before God called me into mission work, by this calling I thought I will never have anything to do with soccer again. But thanks be to God for taking me to Sports Friends Basic Training. The training changed my thought about not having anything to do with soccer – I see that God can use my ability to enhance His purpose.
On return to my mission station the day we finished the Basic Training, I received a transfer letter to a new field. At first I was not happy because I had planned to use sports, praying that it will make some difference in the field. I have served in this field for nearly 2 years without any significant impact. Knowing that the work is not mine but God’s, I proceeded to the new field. On my way there, I bought a new soccer ball.
Two days after my arrival in the new field, I invited two boys to come play with me on the land purchased for the church planting. That same day we ended up having 25 people playing with my soccer ball. It is interesting to know that this village is predominantly people of another faith. In a way that I am not able to explain, within a period of three months, three teenagers gave their lives to Christ. I was afraid that their conversions would steer a revolt against me, so I contacted their parents to hear what they may have to say.
I was shocked when they said ‘we have noticed a change in their behavior within a very short time, therefore we do not care who they want to worship.’ My team is growing, and I wish I had this knowledge {of sports ministry} long before now. It has made my mission work very easy. I give praise to the LORD.”
There are many like Godfrey out there doing great things for the Lord, coaches whose stories have not been heard. Continue to pray for us that God will lead us to them so we can share their stories too.
