Kevin's Story - Sharing the Gospel & Meeting Needs

Sports Outreach Institute El Salvador uses Soccer as a means to share the Gospel with the children in their communities. They not only teach the children soccer skills but through other programs they also help provide the children with the supplies to perform well in the sport and other necessities so that they can thrive in daily life. SOI El Salvador Director Humberto shared with us the story of Kevin, who’s life has been greatly impacted by the soccer trainings, the Bible teachings, and the EmpowerMe sponsorship program.

“Kevin Alejandro De león Martínez is part of the SOI Soccer Academy program, he is currently 11 years old and resides in the town of Nuevo Cuscatlán. He came to SOI at the age of 6 in 2015, when he arrived he participated in the training sessions given on Saturday mornings, which at that time were carried out by Coach Andy Quiteño. Thanks to the hard work that was carried out in the training sessions Kevin was able to train and develop his motor skills and improve his soccer playing abilities. Thanks to the support of SOI El Salvador, spiritual talks have been shared with him so that he can be a well rounded person in all areas of his life.

“Just like many other young children, Kevin has received many benefits from the NGO. He has been provided with uniforms so that he can attend training sessions, also cleats and goalkeeper gloves.

“Today I have given myself the task of knowing a little more about his life and the impact that, thanks to God, we have had on him. For about 3 years I have had the opportunity to have him in my training sessions on Saturdays, through this I have realized that he is a pleasant, friendly, sociable child, and above all he is respectful with his coaches. Sometimes he jokes with some of his teammates but thanks to the advice of his coaches and the messages that Kevin has heard in the Bible teachings, he has been changing positively.

“In 2019 he had the opportunity to participate in a tournament that takes place at an international level, Kevin participated as the goalkeeper of one of our teams and really did a great job! He was very excited and that really was a reflection of his work within SOI at every training. He trains every Saturday with Coach Andy who oversees training for the goalkeepers.

“God has been very good in Kevin’s life. Even though it is very hard for young children, Kevin has listened to every message of the Bible teachings and has tried to put them all into practice.

“God touched the heart of an American brother and put in him the desire to sponsor him so that Kevin could receive a basket of groceries every month within the EmpowerMe child sponsorship program. This is a blessing not only for Kevin but for his entire family that lives in his home since It is a great help in the economic sense, that is why we have the certainty that God is always faithful.”

The mission of SOI El Salvador is not just to share the Gospel but to meet the everyday, practical needs of the children and families in their community. Kevin is just one example of many whose lives have been impacted by their programs. If you would like to learn more about the work in El Salvador and find ways that you can join the mission, CLICK HERE!