GOOD NEWS

GO INTO ALL THE WORLD AND PREACH THE GOOD NEWS TO ALL NATIONS
A PUBLICATION OF
SPORTS OUTREACH INSTITUTE
FEBRUARY 2006

CHRISTMAS CRUSADE
 CHRISTMAS CUP PLAY BY PLAY REPORT
T hanks to all of you
for your prayers,
encouragement and
National Stadium had to be moved to another location
or cancelled. We prayed, and we felt you praying for
us, and the obstacles ‘that could not and would not be
financial support of moved’ fell by the wayside, and the match was held at
the 2005 Christmas the National Stadium. The result: thousands heard the
Cup Football Crusade! Gospel and many responded to God’s call in their life.
As you know the
Charlotte Eagles
Soccer Club teamed
up with Sports
Outreach Institute to carry the Gospel to people in
Uganda, Rwanda and Kenya. As always, God was faithful.
He protected. He directed. He provided. He nurtured and
He blessed. All praise to Him! It was a powerful experience,
filled with joy, hardship, celebration, tears, worship,
frustration, and learning.
Since our return we have all been asked, “What
was it like?” and “What did you learn?” I cannot speak for
everyone who took this amazing journey, but for me, the
lessons learned and experiences shared convicted me of
the following. I am convinced that God longs to put His In Byumba, Rwanda the National under-Twenty
fingerprint in our lives, to act on our behalf and surprise Team, which we were scheduled to play, informed us
us with His magnificence. Whenever we respond to just a few days before the match that they would not be
God’s invitation, our need for God becomes heightened. able to honor their commitment. We needed a quality
Whenever we take on a God-sized challenge, we realize replacement team--and we needed it quickly. We prayed
the greatness of our need for Him. and you continued to pray for us. God responded, and an
This crusade was a God-sized challenge and all upper division team was found--one that would draw
of us learned that we need to depend not only on each many to the match. The result: a jam-packed stadium,
other but especially on God. In addition, we experienced filled with people from the local refugee camp and
the power of the prayers of God’s people--your prayers. hundreds upon hundreds were welcomed into the
family of God!
An emergency election was called in Kabale,
Uganda--the same day as the match we had scheduled
nearly sixteen months earlier. Officials also designated
the stadium where we were scheduled to play as the
polling place. We faced another God-sized challenge
when we were told that the stadium and date were no
longer available. Our prayers joined all of those being
lifted up by you and the ‘impossible’ happened. We were

There were many challenges--we could not, and

would not have conquered without your prayers. There
were many obstacles--none would have been overcome
without your prayers. In Kigali, Rwanda we were greeted
with the news that an international soccer tournament
had been rescheduled and as a result our match in the
allowed not only to have the match on the original
date, but the polling place was relocated and we played
in the stadium, located in the center of town. The
result: the largest single crowd to ever assemble in the
town of Kabale, and thousands of new brothers and
sisters joining us on the field following the game to
praise their new Lord and King, Jesus Christ. The match
was also played over the radio throughout the nation of
Uganda. The broadcast included the Gospel presentation
and invitation at halftime. Please pray for those who
heard and responded in locations outside the stadium
and town of Kabale. praying for us. God responded and a mighty work was
At the eleventh hour the Charlotte Eagles were done to reach so many more with the message of the
told by their leadership that due to travel warnings Gospel. It was awesome!
issued by the U.S. State Department they would not God answered all our prayers and blessed this
be allowed to travel to Gulu in Northern Uganda. They crusade. This was a God-sized challenge and by His grace,
were to be the first international football team to by His power, by His compassion, by His love and by His
providential care the victory was won and the victory is
His. Our part was simply to be faithful--God took care of
the rest!
Yes, even a small group of thirty-five, bolstered
with the prayers and support of many, can be used to
do a mighty work.

Blessings,

Rodney Suddith
Executive Director

travel there in over twenty years! The community and

Ugandan government were devastated and seriously
entertained the idea of canceling the crusade. Again, we
prayed and grew in confidence as we felt you praying
for us--and God gave us a miracle. The Charlotte Eagles
leadership allowed eight players to fly into Gulu and join
up with the SOI Good News Team to play the scheduled
match. The result: a town and people ravaged by over
twenty years of war and struggle spent an afternoon
enjoying a great football match, as well as, celebrating
and singing praises to God. Thousands more responded
to the message of hope and reconciliation.
Kenya also presented us with challenges as Satan
made one final effort to derail the plans and prayers of The Lord is my helper; I will not be
God’s people. We were tired physically from the travel
and work. We were tired emotionally from the long afraid. What can man do to me?
separation from family and friends at home. We were HEBREWS 13:6
also spiritually tired from the personal and corporate
battles waged against the evil one. However, we had you
 The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, His POST GAME PLAN
mercies never come to an end; they are new every Phase One of the 2005 Christmas Cup is now
morning; great is your faithfulness. complete. The Gospel has been preached
LAMENTATIONS 3:22-23 and thousands have answered God’s call
in their lives. Now comes Phase Two, the
equipping of the saints for the work of the
THE SCORE CARD ministry. SOI and the Crusade Organizing
Committees of Uganda, Rwanda and Kenya
 The Charlotte Eagles won all 5 matches. are all committed to the biblical training
 Over 250 people were trained for evangelistic counseling and and discipling of all who now profess that
outreach. Jesus Christ is Lord of their life. This is a
 Over 150 local pastors participated in Crusade leadership. monumental task that will require the
efforts of many. Hundreds have already
 Over 5000 made first time commitments to the Lord.
been trained to assist in this discipleship
 Ministered in local hospitals, clinics, and HIV/Aids centers. training. Numerous churches are working
 Ministered in slums, refugee camps, outreach centers. closely with SOI to welcome the new
 Distributed backpacks filled with clothingto Night Commuters in converts and assist in their training as
Gulu, Uganda. well.
 Strengthed ongoing SOI vocational education and feeding program How can you help?
ministries.
• Prayers and funds are needed to provide
 Experienced God’s grace and providential love in the midst of spiritual Bibles, Christian Education materials,
battles discipleship materials and training.
 Ministered through pick-up games,street evangelism,and impromptu • Prayers and funds are needed to provide
interaction with children and adults. pastor training for the new churches
 Worshipped with and support of local churches and ministries. that are being planted as a result of the
 Strengthened relationships with local governments, churches, and crusade.
other humanitarian organizations. • Prayers and funds for training those
who work with the traumatized
 Enhanced and encouraged the Sports Outreach Ministry Staff in
children and adults of Northern
Rwanda, Uganda, and Kenya.
Uganda.
 Strengthened and expanded the faith of each individual team • Prayers and funds for the on-going
member. programs in Uganda, Rwanda and Kenya
 Renewed understanding of the faithfulness of God! that have all experienced increased
growth in numbers and scope as a
result of the crusade.
If you would like to financially support
these follow-up efforts please mark the
appropriate box on the enclosed card.
Thank you for your prayerful consideration
regarding Phase Two of the 2005 Christmas
Cup Football Crusade.
We are greatful for all of your help and
support; we truly appreciate all you do for
Sports Outreach Institute.

Sports Outreach Institute

Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 119, Monroe, VA 24574
2700 Langhorne Rd., Lynchburg, VA 24501
434.528.2516 (Phone) s 434.528.2517 (Fax)
Contact@sportsoutreachinst.org