“Knowing Christ is the best thing that has ever happened to me, although winning the US Open was a pretty good second.”
2008 visit
Stuart was in Ukraine for a week in March 2008. The main purpose of the visit was to visit the local sports ministry, Standard, to see if there were ways in which Verite Sport and Standard could work together. It was a busy week in which Stuart spoke at 10 events as well as meeting a range of local Christian leaders.
Thursday
Meeting with Igor and Irina (ex ISLS) and Andrej (basketball)
Friday
Meeting with pastor, church board of elders and with OM Ukrainian national director. Played 2 hours 5-a-side football and did 5 minute chapel.
Saturday
12-6.30 in sports hall watching a series of sports groups doing football and Ultimate Frisbee. Did 5 minute chapel with teenage group. Finally 70 adults came to play football tournament. I was told 15 out of 70 Christians. Spoke to them 5 minutes "Thank God for football". Meeting with Standard board for 2 hours.
Sunday
Went to youth prison in the next town, Dubno - left flat at 7. On way was asked if I would speak! Played football (4-a-side) for an hour and lost 18-14. Then I spoke or 5 minutes on "New starts". Got back at 11.50
Then preached at 12.00 Ukraine Bible Church - they have discussion after the sermon so I was asked questions. At 2.30 I preached at Golgotha church - in same building. Then at 5.30 had lunch!
"Lunch" was with the lady who translated Born to Play into Ukrainian. Then visit to 3 Ukrainians, friends of my host Zhenya
Monday
Lunch with same 3 of Zhenya's. Afternoon I facilitated a meeting of local sports ministry people. Great energy and desire to work together.
Evening Inter-club league finals. I did chapel at half-time in the 3rd place game, before the final and at awards ceremony
Tuesday
Morning 10 pin bowling with three football coaches. Then lunch and discussion of ministry. Meeting at Second Baptist Church with head of youth and children's work in Rivne region BU. Coffee with youth ministry leaders Dinner at Dima and Anya's - OM sports. Watched ChampionsLeague with 4 sports ministry people.
Wednesday
Taxi at 4.15, bus to Kiev at 5! Meeting with Licht im Osten about publication of book. Lunch with Anya (ex OM and now basketball ministry). Afternoon sight-seeing. Meeting with organizer of Kiev Christian League - 80 teams, 5 divisions, 2500 players. Attended and spoke at meeting with one of teams. Champions League in a bar!
Talks Given
1 Friday Football chapel
2, 3 Saturday Football chapels
4 Sunday Prison
5 Ukraine Bible Church
6 Golgotha church
7,8,9 Monday Church League presentation
10 Kiev league
Some Pictures
Stuart playing football in prison
Sharing the good news in prison
Preaching in Golgotha Church