We are here to help any churches that want to start or grow an outreach sports ministry. Our calling is to facilitate and encourage sports ministry by serving churches who have an interest in reaching their communities. Sport touches, involves or dominates the lives of nearly everyone in some way. I suggest that everyone knows someone who watches, plays or talks about sport!
Christians have an opportunity to be involved in something they enjoy to show God's love for everyone, even people that seem to love sport/their team before everything else! Mark Blythe will visit Church Leadership teams, a group of interested folks or individuals that love Jesus and sport to encourage and help facilitate activity. Mark was called out of full time work to live by faith and 'do' Sports Ministry in early 2009. That was after 13 years of running local Church sports teams, leagues and national Christian competitions and festivals. Previously Mark has worked for Barnabas Adventure Centres (Carroty Wood, Frontier Centre, Halls Green, Whithaugh Park - now Rock UK) and the Evangelical Alliance after being saved in 1995.
Sports ministry programmes can be launched with minimal expenditure, our desire is to see the sports minded in the pews released and resourced to reach out to their peers, friends and like minded people.
Football is Mark's main passion, despite being a Middlesbrough fan! Having run a Church team for over 10 years he has made all the mistakes possible and seen lots of good ideas and practices by other clubs. This info is available in a book called "Football 2 Football Ministry 3" obtainable from www.veriteshop.co.uk or call 01903 241975 - learn from the mistakes and receive lots of practical ideas.
As Chairman, Treasurer, Secretary, Fixtures Secretary, Disciplinary Committee Member and Events Co-ordinator at different times for the local 4 Division strong Church League Mark has extensive insight into the running of Christian Leagues. Knowledge available to folks that ask.
Sportsforce founded the National Christian (NC) Cricket Cup, NC Cricket Festival, NC Golf Cup, NC Football Festival, NC Veterans Football Cup - all are competitions designed to provide churches with ready made events to enter. If you would like information on any of the activities please make contact - mark@mccfc.org.uk
London 2012 - if you have questions about how your Church can get involved with the Olympics and Paralympics that are coming to our shores in 2012 then in the first instance check out www.morethangold.com (the Christian Charity set up to co-ordinate the Churches response) and then contact us if you would like to personally chat through the opportunities.