St. Lucia —
*Reprinted with permission from the St. Lucia Star*
“We aim not only to preach the word of God but to do things that develop the potential of our young people,” says Dr Peter Morgan, ABWE missionary serving in St. Lucia.
This summer Dr. Morgan partnered with Tennesse-based Score International to conduct a three-day soccer outreach program for young men on the island.
Dr Morgan, who is St Lucian, studied in the United States. He teamed up with ABWE and returned to the island with his wife to work in sports ministry.
Through the soccer ministry Dr Morgan is able to preach the word of God and enrich the lives of these individuals. The soccer coaching program which caters to about 500 young men is just one of Dr. Morgan’s ministries.
“We understand that if you really help people in other areas, it is a lot easier to talk to them about the spiritual aspects of life. That’s what we are doing with this program,” says Dr Morgan.
Why soccer?
Turns out the good doctor played at the university level while studying in the United States. He also coached for 20 years at different levels including the Olympic Development Program in Ohio.
Morgan, who is a football fanatic, expressed his disappointment about not seeing more St. Lucian athletes playing on the international scene.
“I especially look out for St. Lucians to see what our guys are doing, but I am not seeing or hearing anything about them,” said Dr Morgan. “I came to the conclusion that something more needs to be done at the grass roots level to further develop our players.”
But he doesn’t stop there.
“You have young men and women who are committing crime. They are young, dying young and incarcerated young. You can alleviate some of that by keeping them busy.”
Teresa Nardozzi, Women’s Ministry Director at the First Baptist Church of Indian Rock, worked together with Dr Morgan towards organizing the soccer program with Score International.
Nardozzi came here with a team of 15 from her ministry ranging in age from 17 to 70. The team consists of retired coaches, a pastor, homemakers, high school and college students who she said “all have a passion to share Christ with young people.”
Also joining the team was a football coach from Costa Rica and a world-class referee.
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St. Lucia
