Local churches are impacting thousands through sport

Every year, 14 million Australians participate in sport across the country. From children playing soccer, to teens swimming relays, to adults representing Australia on the world stage – we’re a nation of athletes. Sport is at the heart of who we are.

And right now, thousands of requests are pouring in from local sports clubs for more Sports Chaplains to encourage and empower athletes and sporting communities.

This is an amazing opportunity for the local church to engage with their local community by partnering with SCA to provide Sports Chaplains. This brings practical help and demonstrates Jesus’ love by coming alongside both elite and grassroots sports people and offering them a complete approach to care — body, mind and soul — on and off the field.

It’s a powerful opportunity for caring people to cheer on their local sports communities — and it’s being embraced by churches like these:

Hillsong Brisbane is empowering people who are involved in sport and creating awareness of the opportunities to place chaplains in local sport all across Brisbane. In May, Hillsong Brisbane celebrated chaplains in all areas of our society, including sport — and invited people to find out more. God, Sports and Me, was also an evening they hosted encouraging churchgoers to get more involved in sport as an athlete, a parent, an official or a chaplain. There are exciting days ahead!

Kingdom City, Mandurah, WA invited Sports Chaplaincy Australia to share the vision, and many people were encouraged to be involved in their local communities through a shared passion for sport. Like all our partner churches, Kingdom City are raising awareness of the need for chaplains and the training that’s available, and they’re encouraging their church members to consider becoming chaplains.

Beaumaris Baptist, VIC, have been involved with SCA for a number of years. They’ve sponsored multiple sports chaplains, and are looking to engage more people to care for their local sporting communities. They’re deeply committed to investing in taking their local sportspeople to another level.