Brazil's Passion for Soccer and Youth Ministry
9/10/2007
Yesterday I got back from speaking to 1200+ youth workers in Brazil. Sunday's training was postponed so that the entire group could watch their country win their 5th World Cup. Soccer is their passion and it's the one thing that ties together the rich and the poor. I have never experienced anything like the passion I saw for their soccer/futbol team. It gave me a lot to think about.
Being a Laker fan, I thought I knew what it meant to be excited for a team to win a championship. But, our screaming celebrations in the living room, during an exciting basketball game, pale in comparison to how Brazilians celebrate their national team. The best word I can use to describe them is "insane." The country literally shuts down on Sunday to watch the game. There were no cars on the street; no open shops or restaurants. Church services were either canceled or postponed. Their sport is their passion.
Being with the 1200+ conference attendees, during the game, is an experience I will never forget. Watching them celebrate goals, near-goals, great plays, and not-so-great plays will be something I will compare to America's passion for sports. In comparison, Americas have a lot to learn about how to truly celebrate.
You might be thinking, "What does this have to do with youth ministry?" Good question!
I haven't fully discovered all the learnings that God might have for me from this trip (I just got back yesterday) but I definitely keep thinking of the word "passion". The Brazilians weren't just passionate about their sport, they were passionate about God, teenagers, and learning more about youth ministry. Their passion challenged me.
Many of the things that I take for granted, they didn't. Every year, I can choose between 10-20 different types of youth ministry training to attend. These Brazilian youth workers had been saving for months to attend this training. Several youth workers took 30+ hour bus trips to get there. They had a passion for learning.
After my teaching was done. They would stay at the conference for hours and sit and talk with one another. They would laugh, pray, and eat together-for hours! They had a passion for relationships.
They never wanted the singing to end (probably because my teaching would follow it). They wanted to praise God. Personally, I hate to admit it, but I got tired of clapping, standing, and singing. They had a passion to worship.
Their passion was both challenging and contagious. I began to wonder what my youth ministry would be like if I were more passionate about life-change. Passion forces one to think, act, and treat others differently. I don't have some deep, meaningful truth to pass onto you this month, but I can share with you some questions that I wrote in my journal.
1. What will it take for me to be more passionate about learning?
2. What will it take for me to be more passionate about loving others?
3. What will it take for me to be more passionate about God?
4. What will it take for me to be more passionate about worship?
5. What will it take for me to be more passionate about youth ministry?
6. God, what needs to change within me? Where is the connection between my soul and my passion?
7. How can I communicate passion to the leaders and students in our ministry?
8. Am I so consumed with projects, deadlines, details that I have no energy left to celebrate?
9. Am I so busy that I look forward to the next thing as a project and not an opportunity to celebrate what God has for me next?
10. What am I really passionate about? How is that passion communicated?
I'm sure there are many more questions that could be asked. What about questions for you? What are you doing to enhance your passion for God? Does it seem impossible during the summer? I know summer is draining. You may not even have time, or take the time, to read this because of your pace (I understand: 70% of the people who voted on our poll claimed that their summer is busier). Asking yourself questions is a good thing. Unfortunately, the answers aren't as fun to deal with.
Hang in there this summer. Don't allow tension, frustration, and misunderstandings to quench your passion for God, teenagers, and the church. What we do isn't easy. I know… and so do our youth worker friends in Brazil. One sweet Brazilian lady named Lale told me, "The celebration in heaven is going to be like a World Cup where we all win." And, after seeing the Brazilian people celebrate, I don't doubt it.
Being a Laker fan, I thought I knew what it meant to be excited for a team to win a championship. But, our screaming celebrations in the living room, during an exciting basketball game, pale in comparison to how Brazilians celebrate their national team. The best word I can use to describe them is "insane." The country literally shuts down on Sunday to watch the game. There were no cars on the street; no open shops or restaurants. Church services were either canceled or postponed. Their sport is their passion.
Being with the 1200+ conference attendees, during the game, is an experience I will never forget. Watching them celebrate goals, near-goals, great plays, and not-so-great plays will be something I will compare to America's passion for sports. In comparison, Americas have a lot to learn about how to truly celebrate.
You might be thinking, "What does this have to do with youth ministry?" Good question!
I haven't fully discovered all the learnings that God might have for me from this trip (I just got back yesterday) but I definitely keep thinking of the word "passion". The Brazilians weren't just passionate about their sport, they were passionate about God, teenagers, and learning more about youth ministry. Their passion challenged me.
Many of the things that I take for granted, they didn't. Every year, I can choose between 10-20 different types of youth ministry training to attend. These Brazilian youth workers had been saving for months to attend this training. Several youth workers took 30+ hour bus trips to get there. They had a passion for learning.
After my teaching was done. They would stay at the conference for hours and sit and talk with one another. They would laugh, pray, and eat together-for hours! They had a passion for relationships.
They never wanted the singing to end (probably because my teaching would follow it). They wanted to praise God. Personally, I hate to admit it, but I got tired of clapping, standing, and singing. They had a passion to worship.
Their passion was both challenging and contagious. I began to wonder what my youth ministry would be like if I were more passionate about life-change. Passion forces one to think, act, and treat others differently. I don't have some deep, meaningful truth to pass onto you this month, but I can share with you some questions that I wrote in my journal.
1. What will it take for me to be more passionate about learning?
2. What will it take for me to be more passionate about loving others?
3. What will it take for me to be more passionate about God?
4. What will it take for me to be more passionate about worship?
5. What will it take for me to be more passionate about youth ministry?
6. God, what needs to change within me? Where is the connection between my soul and my passion?
7. How can I communicate passion to the leaders and students in our ministry?
8. Am I so consumed with projects, deadlines, details that I have no energy left to celebrate?
9. Am I so busy that I look forward to the next thing as a project and not an opportunity to celebrate what God has for me next?
10. What am I really passionate about? How is that passion communicated?
I'm sure there are many more questions that could be asked. What about questions for you? What are you doing to enhance your passion for God? Does it seem impossible during the summer? I know summer is draining. You may not even have time, or take the time, to read this because of your pace (I understand: 70% of the people who voted on our poll claimed that their summer is busier). Asking yourself questions is a good thing. Unfortunately, the answers aren't as fun to deal with.
Hang in there this summer. Don't allow tension, frustration, and misunderstandings to quench your passion for God, teenagers, and the church. What we do isn't easy. I know… and so do our youth worker friends in Brazil. One sweet Brazilian lady named Lale told me, "The celebration in heaven is going to be like a World Cup where we all win." And, after seeing the Brazilian people celebrate, I don't doubt it.
Conversation
Brazil is considered a
Brazil is considered a soccer crazy nation with more than 200 million soccer fans. Because of the Brazilian's passion for soccer, it helped in the development of their players. They enjoy the game so much that they exert a lot of effort in their training and during tournaments. Their passion drives them to achieve excellence in the sport.
There are many different types of sports games being played in all parts of the world. Some of these games are more popular than others like soccer. Have you heard before about ccsp, ccnp and ccip. If you are not much interested in supports then check them. Its really helpful for us.
I have been to Brazil twice
I have been to Brazil twice for two short term week and a half long trips and this article definitely sums up why I've left my heart there. We worked with a half American and half Brazilian team, working side by side doing VBS and their revival services...the people there are sooo hungry and passionate for the gospel, it is incredible! I miss it soooooooo much!
Hi My name is Debby Lenz. I
Hi
My name is Debby Lenz.
I am living in British Columbia, Canada and studying at Columbia Bible College. I am taking the youth work program. The reason hy I am writing about this article is because I lived in Brazil my whole life and I kno exacly what you are talking about. Our passionfor soccer and Christ is amazing. That was one thing that chocked me when I got here in Canda, 10 months ago. I rarely see people having passion for relationships, Christ, youth ministry. I read you book the two first years of ministry and I loved it. I am really excited about going into the ministry and starting to work with youth. I dont know yet if God wants me back in brazil or here in Canada. Its been a challenge to study here, especially becaus english is not my first language. I am having a hard time writing in English but I know it will come. I just want to encourage you. Love you writing style and I hope to meet you one day. If you pay for the coffe of course lol. Just kidding, but there where some funny parts in the book.
Have a good week.
Hi thanks for the article
Hi thanks for the article its great to hear what God is doing in other parts of the world, I am involved in ministering to youth in South Africa using beach soccer as a means of reaching the youth in a langauge they are passionate about. Soccer is a great forum to teach social skills and also to determine the spiritual level of youth. Its like an undercover team building exercise.
Yours in Christ Mark Stiekema
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