Christian Soccer League a Reality!!!

During our Opening Ceremony, a Pastor commented:

..."We want to thank you for obeying the calling God has put on your heart to reach out to the youth and the churches across Piedras in this unique way.  We have seen a notable increase in attendance at church by new youth and even some adults who otherwise have maintained their distance at church."

Our opening Ceremony, "Kick off" for VBM's soccer league "Victoria" was attended by over 250 players, sponsors and supporters. The Soccer League, apart from the desire to provide a healthy environment for the youth to play soccer, has the vision of encouraging each team to leave spots open on their team for unsaved youth.  Many of our youth have friends and brothers who have been invited to church but don't come.  Put together a soccer game and they all are there!  As well the vision includes the opportunity to play "with" other churches (not against) and fellowship, bringing about more unity and a good testimony to those who are unsaved across our city.  Lots of youth are in church but without their parents being saved.  We pray their families and friends will attend the games to support them and experience a very different atmosphere than that which exists in other soccer leagues and games across our cities (parents fighting, drinking, etc.) 

Another comment reads:

"It is very encouraging to us to have the opportunity to participate in something that promotes healthy unity among Christian believers and that gives us the opportunity to join hands on the plow to see that the unreached youth can find Salvation in Christ!" 

Each church is asked to choose a biblical name for their team and is invited to cheer in a way that exalts Christ (not a certain church).   The league of referees we will work with include unsaved men and we look forward to the opportunity to present Christ to them as well!  Before each game a very short devotional, prayer and worship song will take place between the two teams as well as all the fans that come.  The fans and teams will be encouraged to step out and greet one another as well. 

Alex has long had the vision and dream of forming a Christian Soccer League between churches in our city.  Waiting in prayer for God to bring around him those who share this vision for the work it involves, he had committed it to prayer over these past 5 years.  Sergio, Abraham, Roman and Victor are an answer to those prayers.  In January Alex began to promote the league and we started to look for sponsors here locally. 

God has gone before us and is opening doors across our city and Eagle Pass to bring His people together to reach the lost in His name!  As a result, churches and Christian businesses here are excited about how God is using VBM and several have asked how they can come on board in assisting in the growth on our property of VBM'S Outreach Center. 

Youth, their parents, friends and others coming to know Christ through our testimonies and churches coming together to see others saved & discipled ... this is the principal objective!

One Youth Pastor said:  "Our youth who have been in church are experiencing a renewed excitement, seeing so many new youth in church who are being touched by the Hand of God is impacting our "churched" youth as well!" 
 
We have Christian sponsors (businesses) in town who have joined in offering some financial support to the league.  We are very grateful for the manner in which God has gone before us and is opening doors and providing for the financial needs required to have a league of excellence as we believe God would desire.  Alex has been invited to radio, TV and newspaper promoting the league and getting the word out.  In just three weeks we were able to accept 18 teams to sign up! Lots of support & interest coming forth from churches.  We have been granted written permission to use three different soccer fields in our city on dates we have reserved from now until July.

During some of our scrimmages with other churches there are already testimonies of youth who have just now come to accept Jesus through the opportunity opened to them by churches to play on their team.  PRAISE GOD! Coaches are directed to encourage attendance in church from their players in order to participate more fully in the games.  One church passed out flyers to youth hanging out here and there inviting them to form a part of their team.  There were 32 responses at their meeting! This same pastor even offered to send some of these youth to other church teams who were willing to take them on and into their congregation to care for and disciple them.  How often do you hear of that happening!

Pray for the seeds being planted to take root, grow and bear eternal fruit! 

We sincerely ask that you keep this project the "Victory Soccer League" and Alex in particular in your prayers.