WHAT does Coaching4Christ, A Question of Sport and a curry have in common?
Imagine having the chance of take part in a live edition of A Question of Sport where the host is a former Northern Ireland international footballer. What about a plate of curry to boot, all organised by Coaching4Christ.
Sounds like a sports fans dream and it will come true for anyone who comes along to the Coaching4Christ Development Centre at the Diamond in Ahoghill on Friday, 29th January 2016. (Start time: 7.30pm)
Coaching4Christ, (C4C) was pioneered by Ahoghill man, Stephen Crawford in 2004. His God-given vision is to use sport to spread the Gospel of Jesus.
Currently, the organization has approximately 40 staff and coaches from various backgrounds and churches, working together in unity for the glory of God.
Coaching4Christ seeks to equip and reach people for Christ through sport, so that lives and communities are transformed through Christ.
That’s true, not just for people locally but also overseas. A C4C spokesperson shared: “The Great Commission of the Lord Jesus Christ is to take the gospel to all the world (Mark 16:15). With football being a universal sport this has opened many new doors for us to work in many different countries over the past 10 years.”
“Working mostly with missionaries and churches our work has helped them to often reach into the hearts of their local community with the gospel and many has seen many coming to saving faith in Jesus Christ.
Most trips last between 6-14 days and in 2016 we are anticipating trips to Spain, Serbia, India, Scotland and Canada”, they added.
Summer camps are also a big part of C4C’s mission. Lasting for four days, these non-residential events are organised in partnership with numerous Churches around the UK and Ireland; they are open to players of all ability.
Budding soccer stars spend the week doing drills and playing small sided games in preparation for the World Cup event at the end of the week. ‘The Centre Spot’ segment also gives participants the chance to hear a message from God’s Word.
A ‘Bible Project’ has recently been established by C4C with the aim of getting a copy of the New Testament into the hands of every child they reach. Every pound donated specifically to this initiative help to make that ambition a reality.
The C4C Assessment Centre is a programme designed for players who have come through the Development Centres. Each year head coaches select players to be involved in the process by which they are given the opportunity to develop in their footballing ability and understanding of the game. The Assessment Centre helps players to gain a greater knowledge of football and inspires them to go further than your average player. The players selected train weekly and look at different aspects of the game. They even recently went on tour to Spain and played in a European Cup involving two local teams in Malaga.
C4C is also active in primary and secondary schools across the province, providing a high standard of coaching, encouraging players to be the best they can be.
For over-18s who are looking to deepen their relationship with God there is the Coaching For Christ Training Academy. This is a full-time programme lasting for one year. Including daily lecture-style classes on Old and New Testament areas in addition to opportunities to take a coaching qualification and use it home and abroad, this provides a super opportunity for anyone who is seeking to find out God’s will for their life.
Unite Gym is a relatively new initiative which is open to the entire community. Membership of this fully equipped fitness suite is very reasonably priced and offers the opportunity to exercise in a friendly atmosphere.
If shopping for bargains is more your style, why don’t you call into the Coaching4Christ Shop on Church Street.
Coaching4Christ | A Question Of Sport and Curry Night on 29th January 2016 at 7.30pm
Admission to A Question of Sport and Curry Night is free with all voluntary donations going to C4C’s overseas work.
If you can’t get along on the night but want to find out more about Coaching4Christ, get involved or donate to their work, get in touch in the following ways. Telephone 028 2587 8780 or email at info@coaching4christ.co.uk. Alternatively, you can post a cheque to Coaching4Christ, 16 The Diamond, Ahoghill, Co. Antrim, BT42 1JZ. Make cheques out to ‘Coaching4Christ.’ If your donation is for ‘The Bible Project’ and add a note stating it is for ‘The Bible Project.’
Check out the Coaching4Christ website here for loads more information on what they do or how you can get involved.
