International outreach organization the
Bible Society will minister to thousands, if not millions, this week in Brazil
during the FIFA World Cup.
Through the organization's Joga Limpo
Brasil movement (Fair Play Brazil), the Bible Society of Brazil will distribute
four million pocket-sized Bibles, 20,000 copies of the Gospel of John in nine
different languages, and World Cup editions of the New Testament and the Bible.
Over half a million soccer fans are
expected to flock to Brazil this week for the world's most popular sporting
event, and there are millions of Brazilians expected to attend the games. Rev
Dr Rudi Zimmer of the Bible Society of Brazil described the excitement in the
country surrounding the games, and his motivation for embarking on the huge
outreach campaign.
"Brazilians are football-mad and
their obsession with football will reach fever pitch over the next few weeks,
when we host the World Cup," he said in a press release.
Source: Christiantoday
"We want the Bible to have a
prominent presence amidst all the excitement. It's an unprecedented opportunity
for churches and Christians here to share God's Word with local and foreign
fans, and we want to equip and encourage them to do that."
The Bible Society's 1,600 churches and
ministries in Brazil will carry out the distribution. Zimmer compared their
work to Apostle Paul ministering to the Corinthians in Acts 18.
"Corinth was one of the largest and
busiest cities of the Roman Empire and hosted one of the biggest sporting
events in the calendar - the Isthmian Games," Zimmer explained.
"There, Paul found the opportunity to
preach the Gospel to people from all over the world. We and our partners share
that same vision now - both for the World Cup this year and the Olympic and
Paralympic Games in 2016."
The Olympic Games will take place in Rio
de Janeiro, Brazil in September 2016.
Zimmer encouraged Christians worldwide to
pray that the Bible Society reach the hearts and minds of those they minister
to.
"We want as many people as possible
to get the chance to hear about God's love for them, so please pray for this
outreach at the World Cup," he asked.
"Pray for God's blessing and guidance for the volunteers and pray
that the football fans will have open hearts to hear and welcome the message of
God's Word."
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