Thank God we can share the Word of God and the Good News through floorball ministry.
In October at the grand opening, we gathered with our floorball club to remember the past season, take stock of it and make plans for the new season. We played various games, new players signed a contract with the club, in which there are the rules and values of the club, and we talked about the relationships on the team focusing on the example of Jesus – how He showed His love by washing the disciples’ feet and by giving the commandment to love one another.
Right after that, a whole bunch of competition began.
Our girls went to Lutsk, where they made their debut in the Ukrainian women’s championship. Invaluable experience, a lot of emotions, the first victory and time together in the Word of God – that’s what made this trip so memorable.
In Uzhgorod, our senior team participated in the first league competition of the Ukrainian championship, where they faced difficult opponents and matches. Two days of competition were accompanied by tough emotional situations that presented us with the opportunity to talk to the boys from James, in which we find the explanation on why we have quarrels and that only God can change our hearts and characters.
At the same time, three other teams, two teams under the age of 12 and one under the age of 15, respectively, took part in the Christian teenage league Edge in Lutsk. Where they showed a good result, especially considering the fact that they were alone without their coaches, who, at that time, played on the senior team in Uzhgorod.
While practicing, children have the opportunity to hear from the Word of God about the way of salvation by studying various topics at Bible classes. Children under the age of 12 are studying the theme “Jesus Is in the Spotlight” based on the Gospel of John. Children under 15 have started a new topic “How to Make the Right Choice that You Will not Regret.” The girls are reflecting on the different Names of God in the Bible and what they mean, and the senior team is studying what God says in His Word on “Heaven, Hell, and Life After Death.”
In December the senior team played the second round of the first league of the Ukrainian floorball championship in Uzhorod. This time, despite three defeats, we rejoiced in the two victories God had given us. A mutual tour around the city, time together, and a Bible lesson had given us another opportunity to assess where we are at and remind ourselves that without God we are like a dry shrub in the desert and that we need Christ most of all. This is all we will remember about the last trip to the competition for the senior team in 2020.
The girls’ team went to the second round of the Ukrainian championship in the city of Zaporozhye. And three of our children’s teams, two of them under the age of 12, and one under the age of 15, went to the finals of the Edge Christian League in Lutsk. At all competitions, God blessed us with good results, and from Lutsk we brought a cup for first place in the category of under 12 years old, and medals for second place in the category of under 15. Also, the team of our youngest and new players was happy with their first draw. The girls at the other end of the country gained 2 victories. Praise God for these competitions!
In our ministry, we talk a lot about sports, and that’s natural because it’s related to sports. But the key word here is “ministry,” that is service to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Regardless of the victories or defeats, our hearts rejoice most when we see them participate in God’s work in saving souls and changing hearts. Therefore, analyzing the whole year of 2020, we can say that the happiest event and the greatest victory was the making of a covenant of faith with the Lord of our four players.
We are very grateful to God for all that He has done in us and through us this year! And we ask you to continue to pray for a team of ministers to be firmly grounded in Christ, for the repentance of those who play floorball with us, and for those who heard the Gospel many times, but still have never surrendered to Christ. May our great God be glorified!
Vitaly Bakunets
