Countdown to 35! The Years 1988-1993

February 2023

December 2023 will mark 35 years since Sports Outreach Institute (SOI} was incorporated as a non-profit organization, and as our new International Director, Robert Katende, shared with the staff on a recent morning huddle, “We should not be looking at SOI as not-for-profit organization, but as a for-impact organization.”  So, throughout the year we will be sharing impact stories and ministry mile-markers that highlight the people and places that have propelled SOI along its 35-year journey. Our hope is that you will be prompted to praise God for His faithfulness that “continues through all generations.” (Psalms 100:5b)

Why did SOI start in Uganda? Quite simply, Uganda became SOI’s first international ministry site because in 1987 SOI founder, Russ Carr, was working at Liberty University and was approached about developing a sports ministry team for their summer outreach, which was taking place in Uganda. Basketball, and not soccer, was the chosen sport that summer, and numerous clinics were facilitated, including the rare opportunity to share in a Muslim school in Kampala. The relationships formed led to invitations to do future clinics (including soccer), which meant more trips and providential meetings. One such meeting came when Barnabas Mwesiga was assigned as host and guide for the first return trip that Russ made (a four-member team that included future founding board member, Dave Biehl). Barnabas, a former Uganda national soccer coach, was very connected, and by 1989 became the first full-time Ugandan SOI staff member. Since that time, hundreds of people have taken outreach trips to Uganda through SOI, as well as to the nine other countries where SOI now serves.

In the late 1980s Uganda was emerging from 20 years of civil war and normal day-to-day life was in shambles. The country, as well as many Ugandan churches, recognized its need for organized sports and the impact sports ministry could have on the youth. Through connections made during previous trips, Russ had gotten to know some of the key players in the Ugandan sports world, and it was decided that the most effective way to introduce sports ministry in Uganda would be to hold a series of soccer matches in Uganda’s national stadium.  The matches took place in March 1989 with 70,000 people attending, and 5,000 of them responding to the gospel message! Churches and schools opened their doors to sports ministry, and the relational training model led many to put their trust in Jesus and provided a blueprint for spiritual growth. Uganda became a model of sports ministry that “ultimately could be duplicated all over Africa and beyond” (Russ Carr, The History of Sports Outreach Institute, self-published).

As SOI became involved with schools, an overwhelming need for books, supplies, and even paid teaching staff became apparent. Many families lacked enough food and medicine, as well as other essential items. These dire circumstances led to the birth of Sportsbridge, an SOI ministry dedicated to shipping containers filled with donated items such as school supplies, blankets, shoes, clothes, sports equipment, and Bibles. Les Forney, a colleague of Russ’s from when Russ taught at Westmont College (Santa Barbara, CA), became Sportsbridge Director, and later was assisted by Les’ friend, Don Brenneman, a Westmont graduate himself. Containers, which could be converted to offices or housing when emptied, were shipped for over 20 years, until in-country port taxes and red tape made shipping too expensive. By then, SOI was laying ministry foundations for education, vocational training, and community health programs, which could be facilitated by the nationals themselves.

From its earliest years, SOI has been about impacting the world through raising up Christian leaders who use sports ministry as a tool for sharing the Gospel and alleviating human suffering. Join us next month as we take a look at the next five years—1993-1998—years of growth and encouragement.

In honor of SOI’s 35th year, we are offering you an opportunity to help the ministry through either a one-time or monthly gift of $35. It is an exciting time to be involved with SOI, as God continues to provide favor in the communities where we serve, both locally and globally. Great is His faithfulness!

There are so many stories of how God paved the way for Sports Outreach to have an impact for the gospel in the early years, that we could not adequately share them in this newsletter. We have created a website page dedicated to our 35th anniversary countdown where you can access these stories. If you wish to read more simply CLICK HERE.