The dream of veteran Brazilian footballers coming to the Balkans began when Emanoel Siqueira, a Brazilian missionary who has served in Croatia for 6 years, met team leader Bruno Brito in Rio de Janeiro. This led to an initial visit last year, followed up this May when a team of 16 calling themselves Missionaries of the Ball visited Croatia, Hungary and Ukraine. Uelliton Baptista, team goalie and Coordinator of Missionaries of the Ball explained, “The purpose of this ministry is to bring joy and peace through football to many places across the globe. Often, because of this approach to ministry, we have the opportunity to perform in various places such as schools, festivals and colleges.

Through these events our goal is to bring hope through God to people who need him.” In Varaždin, Croatia, they were part of a 22 hour long music and sports festival covered by national television. During the news story team leader Bruno Brito shared, “In my professional career I have played for many European clubs. I am thankful that as an athlete I was able to play football in this event. But the true joy, that every one of us here has, is to praise and glorify God.” During their six days in Croatia the football veterans played the city clubs from Rijeka (who came second in the Croatian league), Čakovec and Varaždin, as well as in other special matches. Each match provided the opportunity to share the gospel. Along the way the Brazilians took time out to meet with local mayors and build relationships wherever possible.

Stephen Bell (picture above) who has worked in Croatia for 17 years and helped organise their visit, explains, “This was a very different kind of ministry, but one which meant Jesus could be proclaimed in new places we could never reach on our own.” The Brazilians then visited Hungary where they played three more matches and spoke in three schools. At one talk 44 people came to Christ! 40 others made commitments at other schools. They then spent one day in Ukraine where 15 more people accepted Jesus. The Missionaries of the Ball plan to return to the Balkans in 2019, staying even longer this time in order to add in time for a football training camp. Thanks to God for the unique abilities He gives to each of us to use in building His kingdom.

If you would like to know more about Stephen Bell and the work he is involved in click here