I love workplace ministry stories, especially when they involve an unusual workplace. How about the World Cup? Arguably one of the greatest sporting events in the world. 48 teams from 48 countries, 104 games over six weeks, played this year in Mexico, United States, and Canada.

Have you heard about the Curaçao National Team? Have you heard of Curaçao? Me neither. It’s an island 40 miles off Venezuela with a population of 158,000 and a land size of 171 square miles (smaller than the county I live in). 

An article in Christianity Today entitled Smallest Country in World Cup History Praises Jesus at the Pitch opens this way:

Athletes from the tiniest country to ever qualify for the World Cup are using their newfound visibility to pray. In a World Cup that has seen quite a few displays of faith from players, Curaçao’s team has emerged as one of the most outspoken, and local pastors are hopeful the team’s example will reach the next generation of Christians on the small Caribbean island.

…

The team gathers in a circle to pray before every practice and game, a ritual previously led by the team’s late goalkeeper Jairzinho Pieter. Now team captain Leandro Bacuna leads the prayer. 

In a viral moment after their first match, a 7–1 loss to Germany, Curaçao players prayed with members of the German team. Teams have been known to pray among themselves, but it is rare for opposing teams to pray together.

Felix Nmecha, the German midfielder and an outspoken Christian, said of the moment, “We are during the game opponents against each other and then after the game, we’re all Christians and we’re brothers. … In our faith, we all believe that Jesus is glorified through the game. And that’s why we came together and simply prayed together.”

German players (in white) pray with Curaçao players after their match.

God has people everywhere!

And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. (Colossians 3.17, ESV)