The World Cup unites billions of people around the world — connecting cultures and igniting passion in fans everywhere. But as you prepare to host watch parties, build relationships, and engage your neighbors, how do you successfully bridge the gap between cheering for your team and having trust-filled Gospel conversations?

The answer may be found through the power of player testimonies and devotionals.

Athletes in Action, a ministry of Cru, has partnered with Victory Beyond the Cup and key professional soccer players like Kaká and Lucas Moura to offer heartfelt, daily devotionals that share about players' experiences journeying through faith and identity issues as elite professional soccer players. (All of these devotionals can be found at the bottom of this blog article or on the YouVersion mobile app. Just search for "Athletes in Action" under the Plans tab).

The player devotionals are designed to leverage the universal language of sport to transition easily and naturally from soccer talk to spiritual dialogue — helping you successfully navigate your desire to share Jesus' living hope with your friends.

Why these Devotionals can be an Effective Ministry Tool

The devotionals offer a strategic way to spark curiosity and break down barriers by using player stories as a relatable entry point.

1. Instant Relatability: Every fan is captivated by a player's journey—the triumphs, the heartbreaking setbacks, the pressures of performance, and the search for lasting significance. These are universal life themes.

2. Natural Conversation Bridge: The devotionals frame these on-field experiences through the lens of faith, making it incredibly simple for you to transition a conversation from a player's performance to their faith and the struggles they face.

3. Connecting Sport to Life: The challenges faced by World Cup athletes mirror the challenges everyone faces in life—with their job, family desires, and personal identity. By discussing a player’s spiritual journey, you open the door for a fan to reflect on their own circumstances.

How to Use Devotionals in Ministry

You don't need to push for an immediate gospel conversation (unless led by the Holy Spirit). The goal is to build relationships and plant seeds.

• As an Icebreaker: Mention a quote or a theme from a devotional before a match. For example, "I was reading about Kaká this morning and how he handles pressure. He says..." This invites a neutral response about the player or the topic.

• To Transition Conversation: After discussing a tough loss or a spectacular win, ask, "That player handled that pressure well. The devotional talked about where he finds his real security. Where do you find security when things go well or when they crash?"

• As a Follow-Up: Recommend the YouVersion plan directly to someone who seems receptive, inviting them into an ongoing spiritual journey: "This World Cup devotional really helped me think about purpose. You should check it out."

Conversation-Starting Themes and Quotes

The player testimonies in the devotionals are full of resonant themes that easily connect the action on the pitch to the eternal weight of glory.

• Identity: This theme helps fans look past success or failure to find lasting worth. “For me, the title of 'best player in the world' was not my identity. The 'flop' at Real Madrid was also not my identity. I belong to Jesus.” — Kaká

• Resilience & Setbacks: Discussing trials in sports provides an opening to talk about how faith stabilizes a person through job struggles or personal difficulties. “I see those difficult seasons as the vehicle through which God revealed his love, mercy, grace, and compassion to me.” — Kaká
  “The test of a true Christian is how we reveal the gospel in our most difficult moments.” — Eyong Enoh

• Purpose & Calling: This addresses the universal desire to live for something bigger than oneself, whether on the field or at work. “Whether I succeed or fail on the field, my greatest mission is to carry the gospel with me in every circumstance.” — Lucas Moura
  “When you realize that you are playing for a bigger purpose, the outcome stops carrying the same weight.” — Jonathan Mensah

• Trust in Uncertainty (Relating to Family/Career): Players who face injuries, transfers, or career doubts speak powerfully to those facing uncertainty in their own lives. “For the first time in my career, I didn’t have a team, and I didn’t know what was coming next. I had to trust God in the midst of uncertainty.” — Lucas Moura
  “I have a special confidence that comes from the work I’ve done in the dark.” — Walker Zimmerman

As you pray for your friends and prepare for your watch parties this summer, remember that you are an essential player in God’s kingdom. Embrace this moment, use these powerful stories, and watch how God uses your willingness to start a conversation to bring a person into the joy of Victory Beyond The Cup.

Access the Player Devotionals

• Eyong Enoh (Cameroon)

• Kenji Gorré (Curaçao)

• Ben Johnson (England)

• Kaká (Brazil)

• Jonathan Mensah (Ghana)

• Lucas Moura (Brazil)

• Walker Zimmerman (United States)