Sport & discipleship - Igor's storyOM InternationalSoon after arriving in Ukraine from the USA, Jeremy was invited to play on a local men's soccer team. After a short time he was able to start a weekly bible study with his team mates that quickly turned into more of a discipleship group.During the first few weeks of working with this team, a young man named Igor showed himself to be one of the most competitive and gifted players on the team, but also one of the most lost. He had many confrontations with other players and referees on the field, and at first showed very little interest in the discipleship time. After a few months, Jeremy began to notice that Igor was asking some very pointed questions regarding his relationship with Christ. He also seemed to be taking a much more genuine interest in the bible study time. It wasn't long before he assumed the role of team disciplinarian, and began correcting other players who were having conflicts on the field. What a change this was for Igor! God seemed to be really working in his heart. This progress has continued for the last year and a half. Two months ago, Igor was hospitalized with hepatitis B. This was not life-threatening, but did mean that he would spend the next 6 weeks in the hospital. The team spent time praying that God would teach and develop Igor through this experience. After Igor had been in the hospital for a couple of weeks, he contacted Jeremy and another OM worker on the team, and asked them to bring him 4 sport's New Testaments that were available at the OM office. In the hospital Igor was sharing a room with 4 other young men, whom he had been talking to about Christ. He wanted to present these men with a bible of their own. Igor had, in less than 2 years time, progressed from a young man with little interest in church or the bible, to a man who was taking every opportunity to share with others about Christ. This is definitely a testament of how God can truly change a life! Praise the Lord!
Credit: OM International
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Recent Stories from UkraineDiscipline or miracle?17 Oct, 2008 God demonstrates his power to an OM worker during an illustration she performed at a children's camp. Turned upside down (Ukrainians sponsoring Swiss)  2 Jun, 2008A Swiss youth group does an outreach in Ukraine. They do practical work, which the Ukrainian church has raised funds for. Swedish teens to Ukraine  2 Jun, 2008Swedish group of teens on outreach to Ukraine. Involvement in sports ministry using floorball and in orphanage ministry. Puppets touch hearts 21 Mar, 2007 The team in the Ukraine visited 26 orphanages with their Christmas puppet show, and also performed in some hospitals and schools. About 6000 children heard the story of the One who can change our hearts. Sport & discipleship - Igor's story 12 Dec, 2006 Sport creates a platform for evangelism and discipleship in Ukraine. |