In Burundi, free World Cup match screenings have become more than just a sporting spectacle. In partnership with Athletes in Action, Campus Crusade for Christ Burundi is transforming gatherings of football supporters into opportunities for evangelistic outreach. By combining live match broadcasts, excerpts from the Jesus Film, and Gospel presentations, the organization seeks to share the Christian message with football fans while encouraging churches to embrace sports as a powerful tool for evangelization.
On Thursday, June 18, 2026, around 6:00 p.m., residents of Mugoboka, in Mukaza Commune in the country’s economic capital, were busy with their daily activities. Some were engaged in trade, others in household chores, while many were returning home from work. However, a group of young people shared a passion common to millions around the world: watching the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
At that moment, South Africa was facing off against the Czech Republic. The match was in its 25th minute when The Baptist Chronicle arrived at an open field surrounded by eucalyptus trees, where the live match was being projected onto a large white screen.
Attendance was free of charge. The screening had been organized by Campus Crusade for Christ Burundi in partnership with Athletes in Action. Even before reaching the venue, the voice of the host could be heard. Supporters frequently burst into laughter—not because of goals scored, but because of his humorous commentary.
Sports as a Bridge to the Gospel
During halftime, the Campus Crusade for Christ Burundi team screened a segment of the Jesus Film, using it as an evangelistic tool to encourage spectators to surrender themselves to Jesus Christ.
The screening focused on the biblical true story of Jesus Christ calming the storm after His disciples on board had been shaken by extreme fear following intense waves and wind that threatened to overturn the boat. The story is found in the Gospel of Matthew 8:24–25.
Bernard Barengayabo, a pastor in the Free Methodist Church and an evangelist responsible for a global church movement within Campus Crusade for Christ Burundi, said that through football screenings, the Gospel can reach a large number of people.
“We see that millions of people love sports, especially young people. Within the Campus Crusade for Christ Burundi, we believed that by reaching football supporters, we could also reach many others and share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with them.”
According to him, sports play a tremendous role in bringing people together in their diversity, transcending cultural and social boundaries. Beyond this, they also provide an effective avenue for leading people to Christ while multiplying churches and communities of believers.
Apostle Paul’s Quintessential Example
Barengayabo said that the project was deeply inspired by the Apostle Paul’s teaching found in 1 Corinthians 9:24–25, where the apostle emphasized hardworking athletes competing for perishable crowns.
“If athletes work so hard for an earthly reward, how are we preparing ourselves for the eternal life promised in God’s Kingdom?” Pastor Barengayabo questioned.
He insisted that the Apostle Paul frequently used sports imagery in his teachings, just as Jesus often drew illustrations from agriculture and everyday life.
“When I received Jesus as my Lord and Savior, many Protestants believed it was wrong to participate in sports,” he testified. “But that was a misunderstanding. Even Paul used examples from athletics, although he was not an athlete himself.”
Barengayabo underscored that the main objective is to reach young athletes and equip them with spiritual skills to become evangelists, urging churches to use sports as a platform for sharing the Gospel.
“We want to reach as many people as possible,” he argued. “No church wants to remain without new believers. We, at Campus Crusade for Christ Burundi, are an arm of the Church. We help remind the Church of Christ’s mission to proclaim the Good News, and sports provide a powerful way to reach large numbers of people.”
Supporters Welcome the Initiative
The spectators praised the initiative, describing it as a good opportunity to hear God’s Word.
“It is a very good project. They also teach the Word of God, and many people need to know God,” Fleury Nigena said. “Some of us do not know God’s ways very well. Others are far from church or do not have time to attend services. Through this initiative, even people who would never go to church have an opportunity to hear the Gospel.”
Another supporter, Gigo Mpagwenimpana, echoed the same sentiment and added that the initiative came at the right time when the live matches are not televised on Canal+ channels.
The evangelization project extends beyond boundaries. According to Barengayabo , similar initiatives are currently happening in more than 200 countries where Campus Crusade for Christ operates. He added that, in Burundi, as of June 22 , the campaign has reached over 4,800 football supporters in 15 viewing sites out 24 already established since the opening of the tournament. Among them, more than 700 have surrendered their lives to Jesus Christ, while at least 337 have completed follow-up cards to receive additional biblical teaching and discipleship support.
To conclude, Barengayabo announced that the organization seeks to sign a memorandum of understanding with churches that have sports teams in order to create “sports mission groups.”
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