Jesus and Soccer: Pro-Soccer Player-Turned-Pastor Wins 18,000 Plus World Cup Fans to Gospel Message with Digital Ministry
Professional soccer has a huge following. Worldwide, it was estimated that 5 billion people will watch the World Cup this year, as reported by IBC. Former professional soccer player-turned-pastor Jesse Bradley decided that this would be a great time to spread the Gospel to the billions of soccer fans.
Bradley, who preaches at Grace Community Church in Auburn, Washington, reported seeing thousands of soccer fans embrace Christ since launching his mission.
“We’re able to create content where we share the Gospel,” he told CBN’s Faithwire. “I share my story, and people are making decisions to follow Jesus. We’re reaching millions of people. We’re seeing over 18,000 already make first-time decisions.”
Bradley told Faithwire that there’s a “massive hunger across the world now for God, for hope, for faith, for Jesus,” which is why he feels bound to share his story and testimony to connect soccer and Jesus.
“We all know there’s something much more significant than soccer that we need,” he said. “And I discovered it myself later in life, but our souls are content, and we have joy in peace when we discover relationship with [God].”
Bradley’s digital campaign, which lasts less than a minute, speaks about the World Cup, then leads into a tragedy he faced in childhood.
“I literally was fighting for my life for a year,” he said, noting he faced psychological effects in addition to serious physical ailments due to a medication he was prescribed. “And in the middle of the pain, God birthed a new purpose and passion.”
“Stories are powerful; everyone has a significant story,” Bradley added. “You have a powerful story, and when you share it, we learn more about God, we appreciate God, we see how God works … and how He transforms our lives.”
He continued, “We really go from the secular to the spiritual and then to the Gospel in Jesus.”
The positive reactions Bradley has experienced from his spreading of the Gospel have been encouraging.
“I’ve been in ministry now for two decades, and we’ve never seen more fruit than we have in the last two years,” Bradley said.
More about Bradley, his story and mission can be found on his website.
