Christians in Sport, a UK-based ministry, has just celebrated its 50th anniversary of reaching the world of sports for Jesus Christ.
On Feb. 18, 1976, a group of sports-interested Christians met with the conviction that God cared deeply about sports, and that He would act in the world of sports if they prayed.
The initial group included BBC tennis commentator Gerald Williams, Rev. Alan Godson, American evangelist Eddie Waxer, Wimbledon champion Stan Smith, and businessman Kenneth Frampton. They shared a passion for a “sports fellowship for the nation” and a sporting network that would unite Christians in evangelistic outreach across sports fields and clubhouses.
The group committed to praying for five goals, writing them down in a short memo: that 18 to 20 men would attend a luncheon that March, followed by 120 at a dinner in London that June — and that the Lord would raise up a man in England to devote sufficient time to administrating a sports fellowship for the nation.
A fourth desire was for fellowship groups to be established by the end of that year in both the north and south of England.
Lastly, they prayed that England would be an example to other European nations in starting fellowships for Christian athletes.
The first dinner, held on June 19, 1976, the night before that year’s Wimbledon tournament in London, drew 80 Christian sportsmen and women to the Park Lane Hotel. A second dinner followed on June 18, 1977, and then a third in 1978 that was attended by 400 people. By then, the ministry had been established under the name “Christians in Sport,” and it became a registered charity in 1980. Rev. Andrew Wingfield Digby became the ministry’s first full-time director.
Today, the ministry supports 10,000 Christians in the world of sports, with more than 1,000 sports leaders equipped and encouraged in their work, alongside sports camps and outreach on university campuses. Christians in Sport has also partnered with indigenous sports ministries in 150 countries around the world, reaching sportspeople for Christ.
In a celebration video marking the 50th anniversary, Graham Daniels, general director of Christians in Sport, challenged viewers to consider the fact that “sport has always mattered” to both God and humanity, “generation after generation.”
“It’s inspired us, shaped us, and united us,” said Daniels. “Sport is a universal language. And what a privilege. God has placed so many people at the heart of it — His mission field.”
Daniels recalled how a small group met 50 years ago to put a vision into action for the ministry, gathering “with no staff, no structure, and no strategy — just a conviction.”
“God cares about sport and the millions involved,” Daniels added. “And He would move if they prayed.”
Reflecting on the ministry’s growth, Daniels, who also serves as a director of Cambridge United Football Club and as an associate staff member at St Andrew the Great church in Cambridge, said it is “impossible” to miss the kindness of God in the way He has answered those prayers.
“From one lunch to God mobilizing Christians in the mission field of sports,” Daniels said. “From one evangelistic dinner to gospel events, sports quizzes, camps, and mission initiatives reaching those involved in sports.
“From one worker to leaders developed to serve both sport and church. From a vision that included elite sport and global mission to building gospel foundations in professional sports and around the world. Fifty years on, there is a tremendous gospel opportunity in sports right now. Sport has become far more significant both culturally and globally.
“So as we give thanks and continue to pray for God to move in sport, what’s your prayer? Come on, let’s pray together in this new season.”
