JOHANNESBURG, South Africa (BP)–With the World Cup’s influx of international sports fans to Johannesburg, students at Northmead Baptist Church say they’re ready.
“As Christians, we will use it as an evangelism opportunity to tell the countries where there aren’t believers, to tell them the Word of God,” says Michael Chaparika, 18, a member of the church youth group.
Chaparika sees the World Cup as an avenue through which those who hear the Gospel in South Africa can take the Good News back to their countries.
Like many other places of worship, Northmead plans to show many of the World Cup matches on a big screen in its auditorium. An ad in a local newspaper encourages fans to watch the games at the Lord’s house rather than a local pub. Families are encouraged to come together to the viewings, wearing the jerseys of their favorite teams.
Chaparika and other youth at Northmead have helped promote the outreach by venturing out with their faces decorated in the flags of several World Cup nations.
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Toni Braddix is part of the International Mission Board communications team covering the World Cup in South Africa.
