Last month, several of our coaches and staff from across the U.S. traveled to El Salvador to use the game of soccer to share the love and message of Jesus to the smallest, yet most densely populated country in Central America. The team, led by David Flores (ICFC Dallas Director of Coaching), spent time caring for and feeding the community, playing soccer with kids of all ages, and training the next generation of Salvadoran coaches in Soccer Ministry.

‍

For much of the world, soccer is simply a game to be played, and if you’re lucky, a profession to excel in. And this way of thinking has dominated the mindset of a majority of the church leaders in El Salvador. For many years, church leaders have viewed soccer as a distraction, and not as a tool that can be used to lead people to Christ. However, Impact City FC, in partnership with El Golazo de Tu Vida, Iglesia Zacamil of the Assemblies of God, and Iglesia Leon de la Tribu de Juda, were able to break down this old mindset and help the community see that soccer can actually be a catalyst used to reach more people for Christ. Through partnerships with these local ministries, eighteen coaches were trained in soccer ministry through Impact Coaching Academy (ICA). And less than a week after receiving the ICA training, four churches in various regions of El Salvador launched a soccer outreach, and have already begun to reach dozens more youth with the gospel of Jesus!

‍

And while coaches and churches were being trained and equipped to use soccer as an access point for the gospel of Jesus to go forth, our team was also spending time with families in a small rural community of San Salvador called El Jocote. While there, the team saw the lack of opportunity and access to basic essentials that the local residents were continually faced with, and sought to work alongside local Pastor Adiel and his family to play, coach, and share the gospel with the kids. The children were so excited to spend time with our team, that they even took them on an impromptu visit to their river, and by the end of their time together, 27 children accept Christ as their Savior. Before leaving El Jocote, our team was able to provide Pastor Adiel and his church with enough balls, bibles, cleats, and soccer equipment to continue the soccer program within the community for years to come.

‍

After a variety of ventures in El Salvador, there was only one thing left for our team to do before heading back to the states – host a soccer tournament! As part of strengthening Iglesia’s Zacamil’s reach and ministry within the community, Impact City FC hosted a one day soccer tournament. Through the donations of medals and Bibles, the team was able to have a closing ceremony where the gospel was shared, medals were received, and Bibles were gifted to everyone who wanted one. Over sixty players from the Zacamil community and their families attended the event and heard the message of hope found in Jesus Christ.

‍

‍

As a result of our coaches and staff from Dallas, Charleston, Salt Lake City, and St. Louis, who said yes to going on mission and bringing the message of hope to El Salvador, 50 bibles were distributed, 27 decisions for Christ were made, 18 local people were trained in soccer ministry, 245 players participated in a total of 3 soccer clinics, and 180 meals were provided to local communities in need.

‍

This missions experience, in many ways served as a capstone experience for our club coaches, who could now take the ministry they've been doing in the states and bring it abroad, to hopefully "change the world." And ss in every cross-cultural ministy experience, they was inevitably changed and transformed by the adventure of traveling to a new place, seeing the joy that the Salvadorans found in football and eachother, and hearing God to speak to them in a new context. This truly was a powerful trip and a pressing reminder of the importance of our mission at Impact CIty FC, to use the game as a tool to make an eternal impact on the soccer culture in cities everywhere, including San Salvador, El Salvador.

‍

About Impact City FC

‍

‍Impact City FC is a mission-driven soccer organization committed to developing leaders who serve their cities and change the world. With competitive club teams, community programs, and outreach initiatives both locally and globally, Impact City FC is shaping the future of soccer culture worldwide. Headquartered in West Palm Beach, Florida, Impact City FC partners with like-minded individuals and organizations to spread the Good News of Jesus Christ through the beautiful game.

‍‍

‍Media Contact:

‍

‍Jaelene Daniels


Email: jdaniels@impactcityfc.com


Website: www.impactcityfc.com