Biblica partners with soccer ministry Ubabalo eAfrica to reach disadvantaged 15,000 African youth with the gospel

Contact: Lynn Waalkes, Biblica, 719-867-2626

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo., June 25 /Christian Newswire/ -- Excited fans on both sides of the Atlantic will gather to watch the Ghana-U.S. World Cup soccer match on Saturday. Ghana, the final African team remaining in the World Cup, beat the U.S. team 2-0 in the 2006 games and hopes to repeat history.

Is the World Cup a big deal? You bet. But soccer games and mini-tournaments throughout Africa, although less-well-attended, could have a far greater and lasting impact.

Biblica is partnering with international soccer ministry Ubabalo eAfrica to bring 1,000 disadvantaged children and teens the excitement and fun of their own soccer tournaments, along with the gospel message and valuable character-building lessons. Biblica is also conducting soccer ministry with another 14,000 children and teens in Gambia, Kenya, Liberia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, and South Africa.

World Cup fanaticism runs deep and wide, with children and adults alike cheering on home teams for what is arguably the world's most popular sport. With South Africa hosting the immensely popular games, children in many African nations have been given extended school holidays. Soccer ministry gives kids exercise, a constructive way to use out-of-classroom time, and access to God's Word and character-building lessons. Biblica provides the soccer balls, Scripture resources, and training for volunteer coaches.

In Kenya, Biblica and Ubabalo soccer ministry is bringing Muslims and Christians together for games and the gospel message. In Senegal, kids from rival youth gangs put aside longstanding hostilities and learn to cooperate and work together. In South Africa, youth in impoverished rural areas are gathering to play soccer and staying for Biblica's Scripture-based HIV/AIDS prevention programs and discussion groups.

Lives changed, lives saved, the gospel proclaimed and received. It's a winning combination for everyone.

About Biblica
Celebrating more than 200 years in ministry, Biblica provides God's Word to people through translation, publishing, and Bible engagement. Biblica's ministry extends worldwide, with outreach in 55 countries. Biblica has translated the Bible in more than 100 languages and is the translation sponsor and ministry publisher of the New International Version® (NIV®) of the Bible, the most widely read and trusted contemporary English translation. Through its worldwide reach, Biblica engages people with God’s Word so lives are transformed through a relationship with Jesus Christ. For more information, visit www.Biblica.com.