Charity Christians in Sport calls on Christian sportspeople to reach athletes for Christ as the world of sport shuts down.

Christians In Sport

As the world gets to grips with the impact of the coronavirus outbreak, sportspeople all over the world are also seeing their lives change - particularly those in top level sport as their careers are on indefinite hold with serious financial implications. Today in this unique and challenging season charity Christians in Sport is calling on Christian sportspeople all over the world to reach out and keep investing in the lives of their sports friends even though sport has been cancelled.

The charity is launching their new campaign called PraySTAYSay as they recognise that life has changed dramatically and sport has stopped, but the call to the Christian sportsperson continues. The campaign focus is that sportspeople stay faithful during this break in play by staying prayerful for the world of sport; staying intentional in sharing life with sports friends; and staying focused on saying and sharing the hope we have in Jesus.

Graham Daniels, General Director of Christians in Sport says, "The work of Christians in Sport is more essential now than ever. Sportspeople - whether it's the 10 million amateurs who compete every week or those playing at an elite level - are in limbo, struggling with what's going on and asking big questions. For 40 years we have existed to reach the world of sport for Christ - equipping Christian sportspeople to live and speak for Jesus - just because sport is off, the mission is not. We sense a real opportunity and a need for people to stick in the lives of their team-mates.

He continues, "There is then also lots of activity going on internally with our support of elite athletes. We support 500 top level sportspeople around the world. In light of the Coronavirus we have more opportunities than ever. Last week one morning we had a Zoom bible study with 20 top level (Premiership down) managers and coaches and the same is happening in top level athletics, tennis and rugby. We want to encourage as many Christian sportspeople as possible that this is an crucial time to share the hope, joy, meaning and purpose they have found in Christ with their colleagues and friends in sport."

Starting on the 13 April Christians in Sport will also provide opportunities for new online gatherings and resources to help equip and encourage Christian sportspeople the world over in this key mission, with a series of Webinars every Monday looking at 'How do I PrayStaySay?' Event opportunities will also include running a live Big Sports Quiz used by hundreds of sports clubs and churches every year, gathering hundreds of teams to digitally hang out and take part in the quiz live on YouTube on Friday 17th April.

To find out more about the PraySTAYSay campaign please visit:

christiansinsport.org.uk/praystaysay CR

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.