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Sports Fan Outreach moving forward with Superbowl ministry plans

While the National Football League in the United States has only completed its 4th week of competition, Christians are getting ready for the Super Bowl, reports MNN.

Bill Adams with Sports Fan Outreach International says this is a great event to share the Gospel. "The city kind of becomes a huge street party with all kinds of events and all kinds of people--from former presidents, to CEO's, to entertainers, to fans who come to the city--providing us with a really unique opportunity to do outreach."

The Super Bowl takes place in Tampa Bay, Florida, February 1, 2009. Adams says the ways of outreach vary. "Either through literature distribution, asking people if you can pray for them, or just going up and starting a conversation. It's casual or formal in that way. What you find in the middle of all that: people will talk to you."

Adams is amazed at the number of people who will talk about spiritual things during the Super Bowl. "The great mystery here is that it's not a place where people won't talk to you and spiritual matters are shut off. They're wide open, and people want to talk. And so we just engage them."

The NFL has sanctioned an Athletes In Action outreach breakfast and an official Gospel Night, says Adams. So Christian activity is supported by the league. That may be why so many football fans are open to talking about spiritual things.

While their goal is to share the Gospel, Adams says that's not their only impact. "We do by our presence take the edge off--bringing light to the darkness--and soften it up quite a bit. And that's why this year we're recruiting 236 people to come and join us . The more saints that are out there, the greater the light."

The cost is $325 which covers food, lodging, transportation to the outreach events, outreach materials and more. The outreach begins on Thursday, January 29 and continues until kick-off on Super Bowl Sunday February 1.

This year's outreach will be a bit unique, says Adams. "We're going to make it kind of a semi-evangelism conference in the morning. Friday, Saturday and Sunday mornings will be general assembly [meetings] with speakers. And then by noon, we'll get a sack lunch and do outreach in the evening."

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TAGS: USA National Football League Super Bowl Sports Fan Outreach International Athletes In Action outreach

[09/30/2008]

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