Youth Sport - Update

NEWS AND VIEWS Massive numbers already signed in at Sports Plus Camp: This year has seen an unbelievable uptake in places at Sports Plus so early on in the year. England 1 is almost full except for a few girl spaces and England 2 and Wales are nearly at capacity. N Ireland and Scotland Sports Plus Camps are taking shape yet with many places still available. PPS groups forming around the UK There are 6 regional groups that meet regularly to encourage the PPS-ers to do the business. Lancs visited 3 in January at Birmingham, Oxford and Letchworth. There were between 8-12 young PPS-ers at each group. Really thrilling to see the impact that these guys are having. Check out a picture of the one in Letchworth as they meet for a Sunday afternoon teaching session. Great stuff!! Welcome to the Academy 2007 The new Academy started on Monday. The 8 guys and 4 girls are spending 6 months with Christians in Sport - check out the academy pages to find out more. They're in Scotland next week and then back to Bicester, Oxford and Banbury to start their church and school placements.	PLAYER PROFILE Full name - Fiona Romain Nick name - Sparky/Fi Sport - Football is my main sport but also play tennis, and snowboard or ski for a week every year (been for 8 years). Sport status – Play both for Highfield School, play tennis for Letchworth Club, play football socially and hoping to join Baldock Ladies. Story – I am praying for a friend, praying that camp will turn her around to face god and turn her back on the sin she commits at the moment!
BIBLE BIT Different for Jesus! Last week we looked at our motivation to represent Christ in the world of sport – and the bottom line is this friends… Only a true understanding of Christ and what he went through for us on the cross will motivate us to now live differently for him. The question remains though – *how?* How can I stand out from the crowd? Over the next 5 weeks we’re looking at 5 massive areas in our sport where it is really tough to represent Jesus well – Here’s the first… Winning & Losing! As a massive United fan (Manchester that is!), experiencing defeat in sport is fairly rare but on the odd occasion it happens, it just leaves me fuming for days. Maybe that’s you in your sport – a win and everything in life seems great, but a loss and it’s all gone bang! In a world that measures success by whether you win or lose, how as Christians involved in sport can we respond rightly to defeat? Matthew, one of Jesus’ top boys, gives us the answer… Have a sneak at Matthew 6v19-21 V20 – But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. The victories of this world will always be short lived – and as sportspeople you will know that feeling so well. You see if we measure success by whether we win or lose then we will always end up disappointed. YET if we recognise that our greatest treasure is in heaven then we will never be disappointed. For in heaven there is a joy that will last forever, a joy that will never disappoint and a victory that will never fade. This week let’s put the disappointments of defeat in perspective as we lift our sights to the glory and riches of the world to come! Be different this week friends for Jesus. The Youth Department
	PRAYER POINTS In winning or losing you would get your perspective right – that God would receive the glory and praise. Continue to pray for 3 sports friends – do you know yours?? For Fi – that she would be a great representative of Jesus and see her friend Jen impacted by the gospel at Sports Plus this year! For the Academy - that they settle in quickly and have a great time in Scotland. That they would come to know Jesus better and love him more.
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