FAIR Blog

Soccer is a well-loved sport across the world, but especially in Latin America. If you ask, you’ll discover many little boys and girls dream of becoming professional soccer players. And you can see why — all they need is a ball, and an open space to play and dream big dreams. That makes it an especially attractive sport for the poorest children, like those living in the barrios (neighbourhoods) of Medellín, Colombia.

As the El Redil church network has been working to reach the people of Medellín, several soccer programs have been developed in different barrios. These programs have proven to be especially effective in the poorest parts of the city, where programs and services for the children and youth who live there are not available. The lives of young people are being transformed by the hope of the Gospel.

But why is a soccer program so effective?

The answer to that question is both simple and complex. Simple because it can be answered with two words: “holistic care”. Complex because holistic care is provided through several different aspects of a ministry.

Each of the soccer programs looks a little bit different. But the core of each one involves coaching and mentoring, as well as accountability for other areas of life. The children get the opportunity to play a game they love which can be both an initial draw to the program and the reason they stay. They practice and are trained in physical and mental skills related to the sport, which also help them in other areas of their lives— for jobs, school, and at home. They are exposed to low-risk scenarios where they can grow their character in things like patience, and kindness to other players. They grow in their sense of self-worth and ability to work towards a goal. The soccer programs also have educational components where they help the players stick with their education, and celebrate their accomplishments; supports they might not get otherwise.

All of this is available to the children and youth who participate in the soccer programs. And these are good things, but they don’t explain why the programs have been so effective at transforming lives because the most important part of holistic care was left out of that description — the centrality of the Gospel and the local church.

Because it’s the local church filling the gap of programs and services for kids, those programs have the Gospel woven throughout. As the participants grow, learn, and practice playing soccer, they’re also growing in their relationship with Christ, learning about their identity and worth as children of God, and practicing obedience to God as disciples. The local church members who act as coaches and mentors support the children and youth in a way that constantly points them to Jesus, which has profound impact. You can see it on the faces of the children — hope. You can see it in their lives — transformed.

We recently received a testimony video from Jaider, one of the young men who participates in the Athletes of the Pacific Soccer Club. It shows the contrast and change that has happened in his life. We hope you will be as blessed and encouraged by it as we have been.

Learn more about how FAIR is partnering with the El Redil church network in Medellín, Colombia to help kids and youth just like Jaider.