---
title: "Finding faith on the field: a summer of sport is the church’s opportunity"
date: 2026-06-01T14:13:00+01:00
author: Reuben Grace
canonical_url: "https://www.eauk.org/news-and-views/finding-faith-on-the-field-a-summer-of-sport-is-the-churchs-opportunity"
section: Articles
---
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#### I was eight years old when my uncle took me to my first Newcastle United match. I still remember it – the noise, the colour, the excitement. Sport has a way of drawing you in like that. It creates connection, stirs emotion, and leaves lasting memories. Since then, I’ve been involved in sport in all sorts of ways. And time and again, I’ve seen its potential to shape lives – especially for children and young people.
Today, I lead Scripture Union’s Mission Through Sport team. Our aim is simple – to help churches use physical activity as a way of connecting with young people and helping them to discover Jesus for themselves.
At Scripture Union, we describe a typical faith journey in four stages – connect, explore, respond and grow. Before a young person is ready to think about faith, they first need to feel known, valued and welcomed. That’s where sport can play a powerful role.
There’s a moment in the Bible where Paul compares faith to sport, talking about athletes who train with purpose and discipline for something that really matters (1 Corinthians 9:25). That idea resonates deeply with what we see on the ground – that sport can point us to something bigger, something lasting, the ultimate victory!
#### Turning ordinary spaces into “Holy Ground”
One of the main ways we support churches is through an approach called Holy Ground. The idea is simple. A church adopts a local space – a park, a court, a patch of grass – for just an hour each week. They turn up, run some games, and create a space that is safe, welcoming and fun. It might sound small, but consistency changes things. Over time, trust builds. Relationships form. Young people begin to stick around and invite their friends.
We provide a digital “kit bag” to help churches get started, including session ideas, safeguarding guidance and simple ways to weave in conversations about life and faith naturally, right from the beginning. For many young people, this is their first real connection with a church community.
Our resources help young people explore the story of Jesus through Mark’s Gospel, in short, accessible sessions, complete with engaging age-specific videos.
It’s about meeting young people where they are – using something familiar to help them engage with something new.
 
#### Real lives, real change
We’ve now supported dozens of churches across England and Wales to run Mission Through Sport – and the stories coming back are incredibly encouraging.
On one estate in the North East, the early sessions were tough. There was disruption and resistance. But the team kept showing up. Over time, things changed. Those same young people now gather in a huddle – listening, asking questions, even joining in prayer. In another group, teenage boys with no church background began asking how to pray. Recently, some of them prayed out loud for the first time. One 14-year-old told us he asked God for a sign that He was real – that He was listening. He felt that answer in something as simple as a sudden gust of wind. They might seem like small moments, but they matter. They’re signs of young people beginning to encounter Jesus in ways that make sense to them – through a context they already understand.
#### "I'm not sporty enough..."
A common hesitation we hear from potential volunteers is, “I’m not really sporty.” But this isn’t about being a great coach. It’s about creating a space where young people feel welcome and where meaningful conversations can happen. That’s why Scripture Union supports volunteers we call Faith Guides – ordinary people who walk alongside young people as they explore life and faith, not experts who have everything figured out. We provide simple, ready-to-use resources, training and ongoing support, so anyone can step into this with confidence.
> It’s about meeting young people where they are–using something familiar to help them engage with something new.”
#### Could this happen where you are?
Our vision is to see 100 new Holy Ground projects launched across England and Wales in 2026 and it starts with a simple question: Is there a space in your community where you could show up, play some games, and connect with young people? If the answer might be yes, we’d love to help you take the next step.
You can find out more by visiting [su.org.uk/sport](https://content.scriptureunion.org.uk/mission-through-sport)
[
  ](https://www.eauk.org/news-and-views/the-golden-missional-opportunity-of-the-world-cup-2026-to-share-jesus-this-summer) [#### The golden missional opportunity of the World Cup 2026 to share Jesus this summer
](https://www.eauk.org/news-and-views/the-golden-missional-opportunity-of-the-world-cup-2026-to-share-jesus-this-summer) Football mum Rachael Heffer explores the missional opportunity of the 2026 World Cup, with practical tips and insights from across the world of sport
[  ](/author/rachael-heffer) [ Rachael Heffer ](/author/rachael-heffer)
27 May 2026
[](https://www.eauk.org/news-and-views/the-golden-missional-opportunity-of-the-world-cup-2026-to-share-jesus-this-summer)
[
  ](https://www.eauk.org/great-commission/sport) [#### Sport
](https://www.eauk.org/great-commission/sport) Helping you use sport to reach people
[ Find out more ](https://www.eauk.org/great-commission/sport)
[](https://www.eauk.org/great-commission/sport)
---
### About Mark Oliver
![]()Mark leads the Mission Through Sport team for Scripture Union. Based in the North East of England, Mark has a passion for how sport can help churches connect with and share the gospel with children and young people, especially in low-income neighbourhoods.
[See more from Mark Oliver](/author/mark-oliver)