 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Contact Us: (251) 442-2210 or Email Us |
|
Coaching in the Game of Life University of Mobile grad Zenzo Ndlovu uses soccer to teach children about Jesus By KRISTEN CAMPBELL Mobile Press-Register Religion Editor
Photo by Bill Starling/Press-Register Staff Photographer
Now he uses soccer to teach kids about God. Through Soccer4life, the non-profit organization the 35-year-old former professional soccer player and University of Mobile graduate founded a few years ago, Ndlovu hopes to help children on and off the field. "We need," Ndlovu said, to "help the kids know that you can be Michael Jordan or Pele or David Beckham and be happy with Christ." Born in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, Ndlovu came to the United States in 2000, planning to play for a team in North Carolina. But when things didn't work out there, Ndlovu made a few calls. Soon enough, he tried out for the soccer team at the University of Mobile. "I know it was all in God's plan, because I did not have any intention of coming here," said Ndlovu, who goes by "Z." He wasn't exactly happy about the situation. He didn't like the school's Christian atmosphere. After his first semester, he went to England to train, hoping to sign with a professional team. It didn't happen. Other aspects of his life weren't going much better. During the next year or so, Ndlovu recalled, he kept thinking that there was something he needed. While he continued going to school and playing soccer for the University of Mobile, he felt his world crumbling before him. Then, sometime in the spring of 2002, Ndlovu said he remembered someone talking about the importance of asking for God's forgiveness. He did, and he felt a little better. Then, he said, he asked God to come into his heart and turned to a Bible. There, he discovered Jesus' directive to seek the kingdom of God first, and provision for temporal concerns would be provided. "The more I began to focus on those words, the stronger I got," Ndlovu said. He publicly professed his faith. He spent hours reading the Bible and asked God to show him what to do. A few weeks later, going through junk mail, Ndlovu found information about working as a counselor at a Christian camp. He'd missed the deadline, but he called anyway. That summer, he joined coaches from around the world at a soccer camp organized by Ambassadors in Sport. At the end of a session, he was named coach of the week. His campers were hailed as the most disciplined team. Then, Ndlovu recalled, "God said to me, 'Go to Zimbabwe and do this same thing.' " For the next few months, Ndlovu coached and counseled, then returned to the University of Mobile and played. But the idea of going home to Zimbabwe remained prominent in his heart and mind. As time passed, Ndlovu said God began to send support - a plane ticket from fellow members at First Baptist Church of Satsuma, and soccer balls and T-shirts from Ambassadors in Sport. In December of 2002, Ndlovu returned to the Bulawayo neighborhood where he'd spent part of his youth. Stopping by the soccer field where he said God told him to run the camp, he said, he discovered about 100 kids playing with a single damaged soccer ball. He told the children to tell their parents that a soccer clinic would begin at the site the next day. More than 200 children showed up for a two-week camp that provided them with the opportunity to play soccer and study Scripture. In December 2004, Ndlovu returned to do the same thing. "When I got to Zimbabwe, my eyes were opened," he said. "These kids (were) just brilliant soccer players." What they needed, he said, was "the Jesus" in him. Soccer was just a way to talk to them about their lives. Soon enough, they began sharing some of their troubles, whether it wasn't enough money to pay the approximately $6.50 for a school uniform or $179 for school tuition. "We need to do this," Ndlvou said, "use soccer to reach kids, and find out what it is that they need to empower them, equip them."
But besides handing out some soccer balls, shoes and T-shirts, Ndlovu didn't have the resources to do so. He began organizing Soccer4life as a nonprofit organization and building a Web site (www.soccer4life.org) for the group. While many at University of Mobile may discuss faith-based efforts, school president Mark Foley recalled Ndlovu's particular passion. "The real bright light for 'Z' was in his zeal for talking to other students about the Lord and about what the Lord was doing in his life and could do in their lives," Foley said. "It was clear that something very important had happened to him spiritually. ... That changed him. It changed his direction of his work. It introduced him to a ministry that he has pursued and continues to pursue." Though the idea started in Zimbabwe and Ndlovu has hopes of establishing a permanent facility there, including a food pantry, Ndlovu doesn't want to limit the program to that nation. Indeed, before he returns to Zimbabwe, Ndlovu said he wants to give back to the community here. So this summer, sometimes with others, Soccer4life is offering free, one-day soccer clinics around town. Kids played in Midtown last week, and have plans to take to fields elsewhere in August. For a few hours, the children play soccer; during water breaks, Ndlovu said, they learn Bible verses. "Our theme verse is Philippians 4:13, 'I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me,'" Ndlovu explained. "We just really encourage kids." Whether finding the wherewithal to pick up stray socks or peacefully coexist with siblings, the Scripture verse, according to Ndlovu's reading, serves as a reminder that people are not alone. "If you try to do it by yourself, you're not going to be able to do it," he said. But through Christ, he said, you'll receive the necessary strength. While Ndlovu said his testimony varies whether he's coaching here or in Zimbabwe, or preaching Saturdays at Mobile's Metro Jail, his overall message remains the same: "West, East, South, North - it's still the same. You know, you just have to trust God." WANT TO HELP? In December, Onesimus Ikungo, a starter with the University of Mobile men's soccer team and part of Soccer4life, will be traveling to Uganda to evangelize and educate villagers on HIV/AIDS through soccer games, conferences, street evangelism and door-to-door meetings. The traveling team is set to include pastors, musicians, a soccer team and an HIV/AIDS team. To learn more, email Ikungo at onesimus@soccer4life.org. To get involved with Soccer4life here or help in some other way, e-mail Zenzo Ndlovu at zenzo@soccer4life.org ABOUT SOCCER4LIFE Soccer4life is a nonprofit organization founded in 2002 by Zenzo Ndlovu. The group's stated mission is to "spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ n a life changing way through positive and sound sports development programs, bringing to the participants the knowledge and passion of Christ and facilitating their growth both in the walk with Christ and their sporting disciplines." For more information, go to www.soccer4life.org
Last modified :
Thursday, July 31, 2008 0:31 AM
|
