Alemu* launched his ministry with two soccer balls and a divinely-inspired goal. Upon arrival among a nomadic tribal group in southern Ethiopia, Alemu started playing soccer with the local youth. Many joined him! Pretty soon he had organized teams and training times for 56 youth and young adults as well as for 17 younger kids. Through relationships built on the soccer field and with the families of the youth involved, Alemu began to share the Gospel.

Within a few months, the first people began to turn to Christ and worship together. The tribal leaders were supportive of his work as athletics was a positive activity for the young people of the community. They granted him land for a soccer field and a building that could be used as a church.

One of Alemu’s biggest problems in the new church was the lack of a place to baptize by immersion the new followers of Christ. This particular location in southern Ethiopia is very dry and it rarely rains (only once or twice a year). There is no nearby river or lake. Alemu prayed earnestly for a solution to this problem of how to baptize the new believers.

When this group of believers was ready to be baptized, Alemu spent two days and dug a hole that could be filled with water for a baptismal service. He didn’t have money to cement the bottom of the hole, so he just placed a tarp in the bottom to hold the water. Alemu still had the problem of getting water. In fact, the people in the community mocked him and said, “You have dug a hole, but where is the water?” Alemu prayed and fasted for two days and asked God to provide the water in some way. He meditated on the story in 2 Kings 3 when the Lord made water to flow in the Desert of Edom. The baptism was scheduled for Sunday, and on Saturday a heavy rain came and filled the baptismal pool. The people were amazed as it rarely ever rains in this area. 18 new believers were baptized and the church continued to grow.

After three months, another 13 believers were prepared for baptism. Once again the hole was prepared, and the people prayed that God would again show Himself in a powerful way. At 5:30 p.m. on Saturday afternoon, before the scheduled Sunday baptism, a heavy rain fell and filled the baptismal pool. The whole community was amazed and said, “These are the people of God!”

More than 180 people from the community are now believers in Jesus! With just two soccer balls, a week of training in sports ministry, and a powerful faith, Alemu saw God work in mighty ways and reach a new community with His love.

For more about sports ministries such as those Alemu is part of, please visit Sports Friends

*Not his real name.