15 June 2009
Early in life, David was handicapped from polio and confined to a wheelchair. Two years ago, he attended a Sports Friends training conference in Nigeria where he was challenged and inspired. He felt God leading him to use football as a platform to reach young people. However, as he left the sports ministry training, doubts started, 'God, how can I coach a team? I have never played football.' After wrestling with God, David faithfully followed the Lord’s leading and started a football ministry for boys.
David transported himself each week to football practice on a customised wheelchair that he pedalled with his hands. At first the boys came and things went well. Soon however, one of the boys said to David, 'I can’t play for you. You're in a wheelchair and can’t even play!' The boy left the team. David was very hurt.
Although it was difficult, David continued to love the boy and stayed faithful to the ministry God had called him to. After many weeks, the boy who had insulted David returned and apologised to 'his coach', and was welcomed back by the team.
David faced other challenges as well. His team was a mixture of Christian and non-Christian boys. At first he mainly called on the Christian boys to pray, but this upset a number of the other boys, so he began to lead the prayers himself which the boys found more acceptable. Through this, the boys began to see and understand the power of Christian prayer.
One day, David forgot to open their time together with prayer. One of the non-Christian boys was upset with him and said, 'You are letting the devil in by not praying'. David was convicted but also happy that the boy had noticed that he hadn't prayed at the start of their training.
David has continued to faithfully love and mentor these boys for months. Over time, he has been able to share the love of Christ with them. Seven of the boys have now placed their faith in Christ, including the boy who earlier insulted David.
From his wheelchair, David has challenged many other able-bodied coaches to develop sports ministry programmes. Pray for David and the boys on his team and for the many other faithful sports ministers like David serving the Lord in Nigeria.
Pray
- Praise God for how he is using Sports Friends around the world to reach young people for Christ.
- For those who are headed to Camp Langano this summer—that they would have a transforming experience.
- That God will raise up more workers for this ministry.
- That God would bring many into His kingdom through intentional sports programmes.
