Dr Thamsing D Lamkang
I received an email from Alex Diaz Rebeiro who was a former world champion, driver formula-one, and the Chaplain for team Brazil. He reminded the Global Chaplains to pray for them so that; they didn’t only win the World Cup but to become a true witness for the Lord. He also said that, seven committed Christians are among the Brazilian Squad to be an Evangelist during this world biggest Mega ¬Event. Let us pray for the 2006 World Cup in Germany next month, not necessarily who will win the World Cup but people to realize how to become a true winner. Not specifically only for Brazilians but even from other nations, there are hundreds of professionals playing for Christ glory, and these players arc mostly belongs to the church sports background.
Another reason is to pray for world peace, for more friendship and good-will during this World Cup ‘06, because sports is a universal language without any bearers of religion, caste, creed and culture or colors of people. This will be a time for the world to bring any changes for better humanity.
You must have seen or heard how the FIFA World Cup 2002 played one of the most important roles that bring many nations together. Many political and religious leaders failed to do this task directly, but sports could easily do. International Football Federation announced that two neighboring nations should get the opportunity to host the Football World Cup 2002. They already knew what will be the reaction from Japan and Korea, because these two nations had so much political rivalry at the ruled of Korea by Japan for 36 years. Since then, they never come together but the FIFA knew the change can be done through sports. And to host this mega event is the dream and hope of every nation around the world.
There was a quick response from two nations Korea and Japan. Immediately the result of that hundreds years old wall of enmity between them started to crumble down because of sports. The rivalry of Irish and Germany boycotted to play against each other since World War II, but the Irish team had decided to put down all conflicts and play against Germany for the first time in 2002. This step has been a display of Peace, Friendship and Good-will through sports. What about India and Pakistan; they come together only through Cricket and nothings else could bring them together.
If you remember the last World Cup final’s in Japan between Germany and Brazil. As soon as the final whistle blows the Brazilians began to give thanks to their God, and they made a circle, knelt on their knees and worshipped Him inside the stadium by lifting up their hands. Half of the world population and sixty five thousand strong crowds watched them. What are they doing? And in everyone’s mind says, they are worshipping their God. Who is their God? Jesus Christ the Lord! What a glorious moment of demonstrating Christ the Savior. It didn’t stop there, but they also wore the t/shirts written “Jesus loves you”, in different dialect’s to proclaim Christ Jesus the Lord and God of the Brazilians. Even in the last 2005 Confederation Cup finals, those same things happened in proclaiming Christ through the Champion Brazilians.
When I first met the two World Cup winners of Brazil in 2002, Lucio and Paulo Silas Parerra in Greece 2004, and asked them this question; “How did you feel being a world champion as Christians? They have almost the same answer that “We didn’t want people see us only as the football world champion, but as the real life champion.” And Lucio continued, with that commitment “we the Brazil team always wanted to play any game as a good team, but it must be a “JESUS TEAM.”
JOAO LEITE was one of the founders of the group “Athletes of Christ” in Brazil. He became famous in his country: for wearing a small slogan on his jumper whenever he played matches. This inscription said, “Jesus saves”. Soon, the journalist asked Joao the reason for this, because at that time he was the best goal¬keeper in all of Brazil. Joao made the most of that moment to explain what God had done in his life. Many began to say it was illegal to wear any slogans, so the Federation officials had a meeting to decide that Joao shouldn’t wear anything on his playing jumper.
On the first day of the prohibition, the journalist asked Joao “What do you think about the fact you can’t wear the inscription “Christ Saves” Joao answered; “They can take Christ off my jumper, but nobody can take Him out of my heart.”
Baltazar was the winner of the Golden Boot as the best South American goal-scorer in the early 1980s and leading goal-scorer in Spain Bronze boot in Europe in 1988-89 leagues. Dedicated supporters will also know that Baltazar was not only famous for his great capacity to score goals, but also for his fervent Christian witness. His testimony was so obvious that one popular sports reporter, every time he commented on games in which Baltazar participated; he stopped mentioning him by name, instead saying, “The Evangelist has taken the ball, and ,”...shoot at the goal from the Evangelist” and “the Evangelist, Baltazar has scored!” yes, Baltazar made it clear to everyone that he was a preacher of the Goods News first and foremost.
Be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. Then, if we read like this; “Be my witnesses in the family, to your neighbors including your work place, and to the entire town or City.” One must be a living example beginning from your own house and to your close neighbors, because they can really tell “Who you really are?”
It is right that we live as God wants us to live, but it is also important that we share the message of the gospel. People are going to identify us by “Who we are, what we do and what we say.” Whole days and even months often pass by without our talking to a single person about what God has done for us... .and we really ought to be constantly speaking about him. It is vital that people should know what God can do for them. Everyday thousands of people die, without knowing the message of God’s love, and all these people are lost to eternity. Many of these have lived around us, have spoken with us and sometimes they were our good friends! It is our responsibility to speak to others about the Lord, so that they can find Him and live.
People around judge us for the way we are; if we live as if we have no hope, they will think we have none; if we a~ as if we have no personal relationship with God, they won’t see anything supernatural in our life. So, you see the extreme importance of communicating all that God has done for us, so that people realize that God loves them, and they know this from watching you!
Think for a moment-how are you going to live? Will it be normal working, studying, forming friendships etc? Or are you going to make the decision to live as an Evangelist? Don’t forget that the lives of those around you could depend on you. The Bible in Rom 1: 16 says “I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes.”
“We’re all called to speak about Christ to others; but if you find it difficult to speak to others about Christ, try speaking to Christ about others, and soon you will be speaking to others about Christ.”
