Soccer Camp

It’s time for World Cup 2026! Schools are closed, roads are blocked off and people all over the city are in anticipation of what this years games will bring. Hosting it’s first world cup game since 1986, Guadalajara streets are decorated with all kinds of soccer decor and it seems we can talk of nothing else.

As World Cup 2026 got closer each day, many of us had the same question running through our minds, “how can we take advantage of this unique season?” Our answer won’t surpise anyone. We decided to play soccer! We hosted soccer camps. Two soccer camps that spanned the entire week. Victory Sports and 2nd Baptist Church from Warner Robbins, Georgia came with a program that they use and do very well. Their camps were an enormous success! The community around New Creation church in Zapopan was impacted not just by soccer, but by the love and kindness of our God. God probably likes soccer, but we know that He loves children! “Let the little children come to me,” He said in Matthew 19:14. The love was so evident in each of the members who came for eight days to spend their time sharing it with every child within their reach.

I have to admit that this time of soccer camp for kids was a big deal to us here in Guadalajara. Most of you heard about our city being completely shut down at the end of Febuary by the Jalisco New Generation cartel. Fear paralized the city and that’s when I learned that the drug cartels are recruiting somewhere between 350-370 youth each week in Mexico. That still shocks me! As I ask God how we should respond, I keep hearing Him say, “Preach the Gospel”. So many children heard the gospel this week!

I want to share a few of the big things that happened this week as a result of the soccer camps….

My family and I as well as other members of the church came into contact with people who have attended church in the past or at least visited. Several of those people hugged us and asked so many questions. We took pictures with them and reconnected in a very special way. A few of them have married and moved to another location. Some became distracted by things the world has to offer. All of them were assured that the church loves them and hopes to see them again and worship together.

Many young people came to understand their real need to know and experience God. Children raised up their hands ackowledging that they had never known a relationship with God. One young man said, “I can see God in all the religious things around me, but I haven’t felt Him inside me.” I find that to be a very deep realization for a teenage young man.

Children asked Jesus to forgive them and be their Lord this week. They responded to the gospel. Together with their parents they were all invited to the church where loving people are waiting to welcome them and teach them how they can live and be connected to Christ in a personal relationship!

Take a look at some of the pictures from the week and rejoice with us in the Glory and presence of our God!