Lausanne World Pulse – Themed Articles – One Testimony of Sports Outreach International

By Bill Simpson
July 2006

Sports Outreach International focuses on sharing the gospel through sport.

Steve Conner and Sports Outreach International
In 1990 Connor and his wife Michelle were invited to join the newly established Christians in Sport UK, where they founded Sports Plus, a youth sports ministry. Connor remained there until 1998, when he moved to Scotland to develop an indigenous ministry.

In 2004 Connor moved back to the United States to become director of SOI. According to Connor, SOI focuses on building the Church and impacting communities through sport and associated events. SOI is part of the International Sports Coalition (ISC) network.

“The emphasis has been to train and mobilise volunteers and partner with many church and ministry organizations to strategically reach out to their local community,” Connor says. “Much of sports ministry is about fun, community-based events that bring together a partnership of many groups across a city, village, island or region. Sports and games, values, compassion, creativity, leadership, involvement and action are all key components of church outreach.”

Global sport ministry has grown exponentially. Events which include sport of all types have occurred in over one hundred countries. According to Connor, “This is already making a positive difference to the lives of tens of thousands of children through multi-day, multi-group, sport-focused, value-based, global initiatives inspired by Sports Outreach International.”

Connor is convinced of sports influence in evangelism: “On a communication level, sport can be used as an effective delivery mechanism for the gospel. Sport builds an amazing system for relationship building and trust. This powerful connection of relationship creates an opening to encourage the heart with the gospel message.

“Sport also can open the way for truth, education, love and respect for opponents, regardless of ethnic, cultural, religious or other differences. Its inclusive nature makes sport a good tool to increase knowledge, understanding and awareness of Jesus Christ and his teachings,” he said.

Connor knows that sport works in evangelism. After all, he came to Christ through sport and he now uses sport to bring others to Christ.

Bill Simpson has been a national Australian sports writer and syndicated newspaper columnist for over forty years. He is a member of the Salvation Army.