In February 1976, a small group met in London with a shared conviction: that God cared deeply about sport, and that He would move if they prayed.
They wrote five simple goals to pray for (see below), including an upcoming sports dinner, for someone to lead the work, and that the UK might serve as a starting point for similar ministries across Europe.
From that meeting, Christians in Sport was established. Fifty years on, their story offers a picture of what can happen, under God’s kindness, when prayer is matched with generosity.
Today, the ministry supports many thousands of Christians involved throughout sport, working with young people, partnering with the local church and providing specialist support to elite and professional athletes.
Generosity in action
From the outset, generosity played a pivotal role. One of those early prayers that a leader would be raised up was answered in Andrew Wingfield-Digby. His pioneering role in the 80’s was made possible through the generosity of a trust, providing the capacity needed for the ministry to grow.
That pattern has continued across different seasons, through individuals, churches, athletes and families praying faithfully and giving sacrificially.
Today, Christians in Sport is committed to a culture that takes generosity seriously, whatever the size of the gift. “Mrs Jones’ £5” is an internal phrase used to remind the staff team that the work is supported by many who give what they can to see the world of sport reached.
Recent months reflect that same breadth of generosity. One long-time supporter, now in his nineties, has begun giving regularly again as a sign of ongoing partnership. At the same time, a £100,000 match-funding gift has been given to support partner events during this 50th year, helping encourage further generosity as the ministry looks ahead.
Together, these examples reflect a consistent theme: under God, the ministry has been carried forward by many people, giving in different ways at different times.
The world of sport has changed over fifty years. As Andrew Wingfield Digby put it, “the world of sport is no longer a foreign field for Christians.”
Andrew Wingfield Digby with the current Christians in Sport staff team
Yet the foundations of this movement have not changed: prayer, generosity, and a shared conviction that God cares deeply about sport. And as Andrew also says, “there is still a world to be won.”
As Christians in Sport marks its 50th year— “Season 50” — they look back with thankfulness and ahead with the same dependence on God, trusting that prayer and generosity will continue to sustain the work in the years to come.
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Lewis Catto
Lewis is part of the team at Christians in Sport, where he helps connect people to the vision of the work, growing a community committed to supporting it through prayer and generosity.
