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Updates from mission teams at the 2014 FIFA World Cup
While countless goals and saves are made inside the stadiums of Brazil during the 2014 FIFA World Cup, Salvationist mission teams from North America, Europe and Australia have joined forces with the country’s local corps, taking to the streets at eight of the 12 host cities to spread the gospel and raise awareness of the Army’s ministry.
In Brasilia, a team passed out RUMO (Brazil’s “War Cry”) World Cup specials, while inviting children to the park for a time of fun and games. At the event children got their faces painted, made shapes with balloons, and used beads to make gospel bracelets and necklaces. The mission team will also help with vacation Bible school at the local corps’ outpost in Ceilândia.
After a time of prayer at the Belo Horizonte Corps, Salvationists went into town to distribute RUMO magazines, and also brought water to pass out to people on the street and in their cars. On June 28, a group of 35 got together to watch the Brazil v. Chile match, which was followed by games for community members in front of the corps building.
For Kid’s Day at the Belo Horizonte Corps, the youth, with some help from the adults, prepared a lunch. After that, the group headed to a local school gym to play various games, including soccer, with the children.
The Salvation Army team in Curitiba visited the city’s slums and provided assistance to two families with blankets, clothes and food. They also prayed for the families.
On June 22, the team in Curitiba spent the day at the Salvo Community Center for “Sports Day,” teaching a soccer camp and playing volleyball with community children. The event also featured a food stall and clothing shop.
The team visited the boys home in Curitiba, which houses at-risk boys who no longer have a safe place to live, and spent time with the kids.
At the neighboring Paranagua Corps’ Sunday morning meeting, the mission group enjoyed a dance and timbrels performance by corps members, followed by a Brazilian barbeque. The team of Salvationists also visited the local radio station to discuss what The Salvation Army was trying to accomplish with this campaign, and team member Mark Anthony Coulter gave his testimony.
Porto Alegre’s residents got a look at The Salvation Army when teams dispersed through the city passing out thousands of RUMO World Cup specials.
The Porto Alegre’s Humaitã Outpost had breakfast and prayer with the mission team that visited their area and discussed sport as a mission, while evaluating The Salvation Army International Sports Ministry’s World Cup campaign efforts. They then hosted an event for the local children at the park, where they and their families received the gospel message through a skit, played games, and had snacks.
On June 19, the team stationed in Porto Alegre assisted the Vimão Outpost with a youth event attended by 40 people. Thirty-five people then joined the corps’ Salvation meeting.
At Sao Paulo’s Guaianazes Corps, a Salvationist mission team from Australia helped evangelize on the streets, grabbing the attention of many locals before the Brazil v. Mexico match.
The same team had previously visited the Cubatão Corps, conducting sports clinics for the kids, who enjoyed days full of playing soccer.
On June 15, the USA Central and Australia Eastern mission teams had a busy day in Sao Paulo, participating in morning meetings, open-air anti-human trafficking campaigns, and RUMO distributions at the local market.
Another Salvation Army anti-human trafficking campaign took place in Rio de Janeiro June 16.
Similar events, campaigns and outreach will continue to take place for the remainder of the World Cup, which ends on July 17.
For more updates from the mission teams participating in The Salvation Army International Sports Ministry’s World Cup outreach, visit https://www.facebook.com/events/749139308435837/.
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