The Lutheran Church in Cambodia’s sports ministry uses football as a way to reach young people with the gospel and help them stay connected with one another and with the church. Currently, sports ministry operates in Phnom Penh and Kampot. In the past, activities also took place in Kampong Cham and Kandal, but maintaining regular […]

The Lutheran Church in Cambodia’s sports ministry uses football as a way to reach young people with the gospel and help them stay connected with one another and with the church.

Currently, sports ministry operates in Phnom Penh and Kampot. In the past, activities also took place in Kampong Cham and Kandal, but maintaining regular participation has been challenging because many young people move away for school, work or other commitments. As members come and go, the group is constantly changing.

Our goal is to proclaim God’s Word, make disciples through sports ministry, strengthen faith and build strong relationships.

In Phnom Penh especially, it can be difficult to connect with young people. Many come from the provinces to study or work in the city, so they are often far away from their families and home communities. We saw sports ministry as one way to reach them.

Football is very popular among young people in Cambodia. We invite students and young adults to play football together, including people who are not Christians. We organise football events and provide a place where people can gather, play and spend time together. Many participants invite their friends, and those friends invite others.

Our ministry is guided by 1 Timothy 4:8: “For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.”

We share this verse with participants and encourage them through it. After competitions and matches, we sit together and talk. We ask how they are doing, how their studies are going and how things are at work. Some participants are studying while also working part-time jobs, so this time together is important.

We usually gather two or three times each month, from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm. We rent football fields, organise friendly matches and spend time sharing Bible verses, reflecting together and praying for one another. We also provide basic football skills training and occasionally organise team trips and activities.

Like many ministries, sports ministry was affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. During that time, we couldn’t gather in larger venues. Instead, a small number of young people met in a parking area behind the dormitory. Only a few people could participate, and many connections were lost during that period.

Today we continue the ministry, but there are still challenges. We now have approximately 10 to 15 regular participants. Many former members have moved away, become busy with work or are involved in other activities. Sometimes it’s difficult to reconnect with them and encourage them to return.

Another challenge is leadership. Some of our sports ministry activities rely heavily on volunteers. In Phnom Penh, Ratha helps lead the ministry, but he is a volunteer and has many other responsibilities. We need more people who can provide leadership, help organise activities, follow up participants and keep the ministry running consistently.

We would also like support for coaching and training. In addition to spiritual leadership, we need people who can help develop football skills and encourage participants through sport.

There are practical needs as well. Renting football fields, particularly in Phnom Penh, is becoming increasingly expensive. We also need football equipment, first aid supplies and other resources to support activities.

Despite these challenges, sports ministry continues to provide opportunities to gather young people together. Through football, we are able to create connections, build relationships and share God’s Word with people who may not otherwise have contact with the church.

Please pray for the young people involved in this ministry, for new participants to join, for leaders to emerge, and for the resources needed to continue this work. Please also pray that through sports ministry, more young people in Cambodia will hear the gospel and grow in faith.

Many of our partner churches are working in new territory for the kingdom of God; therefore, spiritual attack is their everyday reality. As a member of a congregation, school, or family, or a couple or individual, you are invited to commit to praying for our partners in mission. For regular prayer point updates, go to www.lca.org.au/international-mission/act-now/pray

Read more stories about our partner church in Cambodia at www.lcamission.org.au/category/stories/international-partners/cambodia/