Soccer helps rural church score new members

Key points:

• Pastor Edward Muchengaguyo has used his passion for soccer to nurture young players’ skills and draw new members to St. James Hwedza United Methodist Church in Zimbabwe.
• More than 20 players and a coach recruited by the pastor have joined the church this year.
• In addition to games, Muchengaguyo offers two-hour counseling sessions and biblical teachings for the team every Monday. He also organizes learning sessions led by law enforcement agencies, health departments and social workers.

St. James Hwedza United Methodist Church is using soccer nets to fish more souls to Christ, and more are coming.

Pastor Edward Muchengaguyo, appointed to St. James in January, used his love for sports to bring new members to the church. Earlier this year, he discovered that several youth in the community were soccer lovers and not attending any church, so he got to work.

“I chose sports as my arsenal for evangelism,” he said.

During a United Methodist Youth Fellowship sports gala, he connected with Hwedza United Football team coach Tatenda Blessed Chinyanga. He invited Chinyanga, who goes by “Thamsa,” to get involved with his new United Methodist Youth Fellowship team.

“I asked him to train our church team twice a week,” Muchengaguyo said.

The pastor would pray before and after the games, and his team displayed Christian values that Chinyanga admired. Muchengaguyo said Chinyanga shared his stories, and they prayed together.

“In no time, he [Chinyanga] gave his life to Christ, and that was the game changer for all his team,” Muchengaguyo said.  

Muchengaguyo added two-hour counseling sessions and biblical teachings for the team every Monday. He also invited social workers and facilitators from law enforcement agencies and health departments to provide classes at the church.

The final step was inviting the soccer players to attend Sunday service.

“The response has been overwhelming,” Muchengaguyo said. “Today, I can confirm that I have won 23 new souls to Christ through sport, and more are on their way,”

The Rev. Godknows Risinamhodzi, district superintendent for Chitungwiza Marondera, is among those celebrating Muchengaguyo’s evangelism efforts.

“Pastors come with different talents. It is not a question of experience or academic only or professional qualifications, but a question of passion and talent and how one conducts himself in response to God’s call,” Risinamhodzi said.

He said Muchengaguyo approached the circuit with commitment and zeal, both within the church and outside its boundaries.

“Evangelism through sports has produced good results beyond expectations,” Risinamhodzi said.

Maxwell Mironga, lay leader for the Zimbabwe East Conference, donated five soccer balls for the team. He said the church ministry is developing disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.

“St. James Hwedza United Methodist Church has gone a mile further in evangelizing through sports and has demonstrated creativity in bringing souls to Christ and transforming lives,” Mironga said.

“Over the years, The UMC in Zimbabwe has seen people coming to Christ through music, preaching, crusades and revivals,” he said, adding that God has a unique way of sustaining the ministry of the church.

Muchengaguyo said his background in sports offered an opportunity to reach youth and provide alternatives to the activities in which some were involved in the community.

“Having been a sportsperson since kindergarten,” he said, “I took advantage of the soccer nets to fish youths to Christ. Among them were some involved in drug and substance abuse and behaving immorally in society.”

Chinyanga said he never attended church service until he was invited by Muchengaguyo to train his youth team.

“Through this interaction, I opened up,” Chinyanga said. “I lost my child in a road traffic accident on Christmas Day 2023 and was totally devastated.

“The counseling that I received helped glue my relationship with God, and I decided to join the church,” he said. “When we joined UMC, there was a lot of transformation within me and my teammates. The pastor’s counseling set me on the path to recovery.”

He said the Christian teachings have led him and his players to gain respect in the community.

“My teammates used to be drunkards, smokers and quite often used to frequent the police station and pay fines for breaking the law. Now there is improved discipline instilled in them,” Chinyanga said.

“Every Monday, we meet at church as youths sharing weekly experiences and plans. We have also set up a social fund in which we all contribute a dollar per week. This encourages us to continue to work hard,” he said.

Farai Mhepo, vice coach for the Hwedza United Football team, said he also didn’t attend church previously, but has since become a member.

“Through the teachings at church, I learned that we were born differently, and God is supreme in our lives. Now I am at peace with my family,” he said.

In addition to learning about soccer, the youth also attended health sessions on the dangers of unprotected sex, drug and substance abuse, and the importance of exercising.

Shiella Hweta, counseling specialist at Mount St. Mary’s Hospital in Wedza, shared information at one gathering. She said the community faces many challenges, including drug and substance abuse and high rates of sexually transmitted infections, especially in those ages 14-24. She also noted that early marriages and unwanted pregnancies are common.

She said prevention is key and touted the benefits of engaging in sports.

“Exercise improves mental (and) physical health and builds better relationships,” she said. “It keeps one occupied and away from drug and substance abuse.”

She expressed gratitude for the opportunity to talk with the youth. “Continue to invite us as you spread the gospel about Christ and good health through sport,” Hweta said.

Muchengaguyo is extending a spirit of companionship beyond his team. He shared that he donated a soccer ball to an opposing team at a recent match.  

“Soccer balls are now very expensive, but we are giving you this ball in the spirit of brotherhood,” he told the opposing team.

Admire Chioko, coach of that team, said he could not believe that the ball was theirs.

“I am happy to fellowship with (The) UMC. My wish is to continue playing soccer with you. Who knows? Maybe next time, we may join the church,” Chioko said.

Felix Tanaka Fambisayi, a player for Hwedza United, said the sport is helping him to stay active.

“I fellowship with another denomination, but now I am going to (a United Methodist church) every Sunday. I do not regret worshipping at UMC.”

Muchengaguyo said he hoped the soccer team would continue to bring youth to the church. He also plans to develop a women’s soccer team soon.

“There is strength in worshipping together, just as there are benefits in participating in sports,” he said.

Chingwe is a communicator for the Zimbabwe East Conference.

News media contact: Julie Dwyer at newsdesk@umnews.org. To read more United Methodist news, subscribe to the free Daily or Weekly Digests.