George Thomas of CBN Shares Glimpse of World Cup Outreach

FIFI Brings Awareness to Real Sports Network: Today @ 8:00 p.m.

A few nights ago, I was up working late. I happened to check my email, and there was an to share my thoughts on the US v. England outcome, provide solutions as to how to grow soccer in the US AND most importantly bring awareness to the Faith Inspired Football Initiative. What a blessing!

Two radio programs in two different countries will be broadcasting information about FIFI so more people can join in on the adventure!

Tune in to The Light's Real Talk Sports tonight at 8:00 p.m.(EST) to hear my interview with Minister Jonathan Simmons.

Small Town Church Wants You To Help Score A Goal In South Africa

CHURCH TAKES AIM AT THE 2010 WORLD CUP HOST NATION
South Carolina Congregation Launches $1 Conversation Campaign to Score Soccer Equipment for South Africa’s 2010 World Cup Missionary Programs

At a time when Coca Cola and Visa are spending millions of dollars so their brands can capture the minds and hearts of soccer fans, one small church in Seneca, South Carolina is using its concentrated slingshot of letter writing, social networking and resource pooling to take down the giants and spread its own message during the 2010 World Cup.

Christ Community Church’s 2010 World Cup project, the Faith Inspired Football Initiative (FIFI), aims to grant the soccer wishes of several international missionary organizations, including Operation Mobilization, Youth With A Mission and The Joseph Project. These organizations and their supported churches are conducting soccer outreach programming for youth and adults during and after the 5 week period of the 2010 World Cup. However, they are in desperate need of soccer equipment.

With request lists numbering in the hundreds, project organizer Qiana Martin said, “I knew we needed to pool our resources with those of other congregations and harness the power of the internet to reach individuals who may want to be a part of this life changing initiative.”

The plan has been yielding successes for the little church and its outreach project. In early April, Atlanta mega church Elizabeth Baptist lent its support, and UK based Time To Be A Christian Radio will be dedicating a large segment of their 11:00 Coffee Show to broadcast an interview about FIFI to its British audience on June 19th.

“With these previous successes, we are utilizing our Faith Inspired Football Initiative blog to provide information, and an opportunity for individual donors to change a life with our $1 Conversation Campaign. People are passionate about soccer in South Africa and you can start a conversation with anyone by mentioning the sport. It is with this idea that we are asking people to sow $1 to help us give Christian missionaries the tools to begin those dialogs,” says organizer Martin.

The $1 Conversation Campaign begins on Friday, June 4th. All monies collected will be used to purchase new equipment for Christian missionary organizations throughout South Africa. To learn more or to donate, please visit www.fifiafrica.blogspot.com.

Christ Community Church is a nondenominational church that was founded on June 14, 1961 in Seneca, South Carolina by Reverend Efford Haynes. The church has made a powerful impact in the community, with more than 45 men and women receiving their call and ordination into the ministry.

$1 Conversation Campaign Goes to the AP Newswire

It's time to up the ante! More and more excitement is building for June 11th, and we want to continue generating momentum for all of the soccer programming that our missionaries will be conducting in South Africa.

Tomorrow is the first day of our $1 Conversation Campaign, and it was only fitting that we tell the world how $1 dollar can start a soccer conversation and change a life in the process. Therefore, we have taken our cause via press release to the AP Newswire.

We are excited about the possibilities, and the reach of our story. Get in on the action. Tell others about the power of their dollar in South Africa. Together we can send a message that transforms a soccer nation!

UK Radio Interview: June 19th

I just received word from the producer over at the UK Christian radio program 11:00 a.m. Coffee. Our Faith Inspired Football Initiative interview will be broadcasting on Saturday, June 19th at 11:00 a.m. (GMT). For those of us in the United States, the show will stream live on this blog at 7:00 a.m. (EST), 6:00 a.m. (CST) and 4:00 a.m. (PST).

Trust me, it will be well worth getting up for. Simply click on the To Be A Christian Radio Live Stream Player.

50 Training Bibs Are Going To Pretoria

Welcome to June 1st everybody! I am excited because, as national teams are settling in to their respective game prep routines in South Africa, we are finalizing the details for our first delivery of 50 training bibs (aka pinnies) to Operation Mobilisation in Pretoria, South Africa.

Once these bibs are in hand, we hope to upload you plenty of pictures. Until then, follow Operation Mobilisation as they prepare for their 2010 Ultimate Goal Challenge.

Make Space For Soccer In Your Luggage Bag

There are several ways to make a goal a reality. With the Faith Inspired Football Initiative, we want to encourage people to become involved with our World Cup 2010 project in their own unique way.

Each individual or organization has the opportunity to contribute.

Are you lacking financial resources? Don't let money keep you from becoming involved. You can support us with prayer or by bringing awareness to this missions outreach project by sharing a link to the Faith Inspired Football Initiative blog.

Are you attending the World Cup in South Africa, but lack the time to volunteer? No worries. You can reserve a small space in your luggage bag to pack a gently used piece (or pieces) of soccer equipment to give to a missionary worker at the fan area near one of the competition stadiums.

Spread the world about Making Space For Soccer to your fellow world cup travelers. The equipment you transport will spread a message that goes beyond the pitch!

Our Equipment Request List:
Youth & Adult soccer jerseys
Youth & Adult soccer shorts
Youth & Adult soccer boots
Youth & Adult goalie gloves
Youth & Adult shinguards
Youth & Adult training bibs
Youth & Adult soccer socks
Training cones
Soccer Balls