Sports Friends: Charles Millette
Dear BSBC family,
We trust that you have welcomed this summer season with open arms, and that despite the rainier June, you are finding joy in spending more time outside, fighting off black flies and mosquitos, an activity that counts for a wonderful workout for all and one of our national sports!
Bug fighting: what a fabulous segue towards what God has called us to invest our lives into: evangelistic and disciple-making sports ministry from coast to coast! Over the next two weeks, we will use this media to inform you of some local and national news from the world of Sports Friends Canada (SF Can) to encourage you to track with us in prayer as we embark on a summer road trip to Alberta to expand the ministry into other provinces as God leads.
BSBC Flash News
Every Tuesday at Wilmot Park, you can find a group of energetic kids and teens, 6-13 years old, gathered with various of our BSBC coaches, for a 90-minute soccer session, where skills are taught and practiced, and a portion of Joseph’s story is discussed. Being intentionally located right in between the very popular splash pad and kids’ playground, allows for curious families to ask what is going on with this fun bunch, and it’s working! Indeed, on our first Tuesday, we welcomed on our team Eddie, a little guy, who was eager to make friends and kick a ball around, in our safe and relaxed environment. His parents clearly approved the teaching of Christian values! They promised to come back and include this Tuesday activity into their weekly routine, even though they live nearly 60 minutes away from the city. So far, they have held onto their promise, and we can look forward to seeing more families ask to join us.
Please pray that indeed, our presence is noticed, and that God brings to us, individuals of every faith, as we use the world’s most popular sport to build friendships and share Jesus’ love with all!
The National: Summer Road Trip
In the spring of 2021, God called Charles to initiate the ministry of Sports Friends in Canada, with the help of Bob, a SIM Canada colleague living in BC. Along the way, in between ministry pioneering trips to the Surrey/Vancouver area, many individuals have enquired about sports ministry and loads of virtual meetings and phone calls have taken place.
The time has now come to visit church and ministry leaders who have shown a real interest in wanting to make disciples of Jesus Christ through sports. Since these brothers and sisters live in Montreal, Toronto, London, Winnipeg, Lethbridge, Fort Qu’Appelle and Calgary, there is nothing like a summer road trip to sit down in person, share a meal and better understand every church or ministry vision to reach out to their neighbours through sports.
Consequently, Charles will drive out of Fredericton on Saturday July 29th, meet dozens of folks along the way, to later be met by Sarah and the kids in mid-August, who will fly into Calgary. It promises to be a long journey of many inspiring and God-filled conversations and memorable family adventures. Pray that God continues to arrange every detail of the trip and allows for safe travels.
Conclusion
If you believe that serving and equipping local churches to make disciples of Jesus through sports makes sense in today’s world and wish to financially participate in the expansion of the ministry and to the Millette summer plans, you can do so by clicking the button below or by contacting Charles by email (charles.millette@sim.org) or phone 581-232-4284.
