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Athletes for Christ
Athletes for Christ is a ministry whose goal is to reach
athletes, professional and non-professional, with the Gospel.
Here in Italy, there are some professional soccer players,
rugger players, basketball players and many others who are
part of this ministry.
YWAM has been involved, directly or indirectly, right from the
beginning of Athletes for Christ in Italy. So we’re glad to
introduce you to one of the numerous Christian athletes
currently active in our nation.
For further information on
Atleti di Cristo
in Italia and International, consult our LINKS
chapter
or go directly to the
following
web page:
http://www.atletasdecristo.org
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Tomas here with a young fan
Tomas Guzman
this season is playing with
Piacenza |
Interview with Tomas Guzman:
(22.09.2007)
GIM:
Tomas, could you introduce yourself and tell us why you are here in
Italy?
TG:
My
name’s Tomas Guzman, and I’m 25. I’ve been in Italy for 8 years
playing football. At the end of ’99 Juventus bought me from the club I
was playing with in Paraguay, my home country, and brought me here.
I’m married to Sara and we have recently had a little girl called
Giulia. I’m very happy and I feel privileged when I think of the
blessings of the Lord on my life and that of my family.
GIM:
As a professional footballer you accept the Lordship of Christ on your
life. Do you think that sport can go hand-in.hand with faith? And how
do your fellow-players react when you share your faith in Christ?
TG:
Obviously reactions vary from one player to another; some are very
interested and others less so. But just about all of them are struck
by hearing a teammate sharing the message of a loving God through the
Person of Jesus! I often pray to understand who the Lord wants me to
spend a bit of exra time with, while not neglecting the others....
GIM:
Marco Aurelio and the other athletes who were founder-members of
Athletes for Christ in Italy have gone away and passed on the baton to
you, Is it hard to take on a commitment of this sort?
TG:
It certainly isn’t easy, because reaching the world of sport is a
considerable commitment, but we are a united group with the will to
carry on the the work with dedication. It’s also a great pleasure and
honour to be able to serve the Lord just where He has placed us.
The
work of Marco Aurelio, Zé Maria and Chamot has been crucial, in
particular that of Marco Aurelio who was here with us to organise
everything until recently.
GIM:
“Athletes for Christ” has already existed in Italy and various other
countries for several years. Do you have to be a professional
sportsman to take part?
TG:
No,
definitely not. A number of our athletes train in their sport but are
not professional players, and they too are fully committed to this
ministry.
GIM:
Each Easter there’s a meeting of Athletes For Christ in Italy. Are you
encouraged by the participation in this? How many sportsmen take part
in these gatherings and what sports do they represent?
TG:
The Lord has greatly blessed us, including through the Athletes For
Christ in Italy webpage, which has developed and taken shape in what I
consider a very significant way. Many athletes have contacted us and
linked up with us through the site. In the last meeting at Milan
there were about thirty Christian athletes and numerous others who
were interested, as well as friends and family members of course.
Another
meeting will be held in November (details still to be decided) to
enable those who couldn’t make it at Easter to take part.
The
various sports represented include: Football, five-a-side, cycling,
rugby, basketball, volleyball, women’s football, and then we have a
referee and several football coaches. The list should get longer, as
we have more and more Christian athletes who get in touch with us once
they realise that they too could have a real ministry to their
colleagues.
GIM:
One last thought to end with?
TG:
To those who have already dedicated themselves to the Lord Jesus, I
would say to press on in their commitment with courage and zeal. To
those who don’t yet know the Lord, I urge you to try Him, for there is
no better and wiser choice. Open your heart to let the Lord enter into
your life. We have tried Him and experienced that this is the most
wonderful thing in our lives!
The other
topics of the
ministries chapter are:
A.f.C. Mercy
Ministry
Campus Ministry
Target People
..:Last updated at:
01-May-2008:..
See our
introduction to the new web site made in
Flash MX
Don't
hesitate to contact us at this address !
Gioventù in Missione
(GIM Central Italy)
Via delle Marche 24
06134 Perugia
Italy
Ph: (+39)
075-603199
gim.perugia@gim-italia.com
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