The Chief of Staff, Commissioner Robin Dunster, confirmed the new development following consultation with other SA leaders .
The Salvation Army explains that sports ministry is not new to the global Christian community, and within The Salvation Army many territories and commands are well advanced in outreach and evangelism through sport.
The Chief of the Staff’s decision means sports ministry is now formalised within the Army’s structure and now a wider scale of sharing resources via a Lotus Notes database. A discussion forum will also take place.
In particular, the Christian organisation has shown its excitement at the evangelistic possibilities within the sports ministry, especially at events such as the Football World Cup and Olympic Games.
Major Stephen Yoder, Under-Secretary for Programme Resources, said, The challenge is to acknowledge the sports activities which create the most excitement and which people enjoy and then dare to believe that God can and will use that passion and energy for Kingdom building. How can sports become ‘church’? How can sports become mission? Sports ministry has the potential of impacting people of both genders, all ages and backgrounds; families; corps communities, divisions and territories.
As part of the approval process, The Salvation Army tells that the following mission statement has been agreed, supported by three major objectives:
Mission Statement
The Salvation Army Sports Ministry Desk/Network exists to facilitate the development of sports as a mission opportunity within The Salvation Army.
Objectives
The Salvation Army Sports Ministry Desk/Network facilitates the development of sports as a mission opportunity within The Salvation Army by the following means. It will:
- cast vision to the Salvation Army world
- identify, equip, mobilise and encourage Salvation Army Sports Ministry leaders
- connect The Salvation Army with the global Sports Ministry community.