Sports Outreach Africa

You can invite local athletes, coaches, and celebrities to participate in the program but they should not be an essential aspect, the children are always the central focus.

An Opening and Closing Ceremony are an important element of KidsGames.

An exciting Opening Ceremony will energize the children, families, and institutions. Elements of the Opening Ceremony include lighting of the Torch, music, singing, dancing, and highlighting a compassion element.

The Closing Ceremony is one of the most significant elements of the KidsGames. It will bring the program to a close and feature the children’s art, dance, drama, music, the medal round of contests, including the first international championship of KidsGames, The World Water Bucket Championship (WWBC) competition.

What are the values of KidsGames?

•  Draws together a range of churches/denominations/agencies in united ministry.
•  Presents an enjoyable integrated program of bible teaching and sports/games involving athletes and participating in sports.
•  Shows sensitivity towards children's culture, age, spiritual development depending on the Holy Spirit to bring a response to the teaching of God's Word.
•  Builds a strengthened support system for kids by seeking involvement of their families and directing them towards the fellowship of the local church.
•  Offers children who become believers appropriate discipleship resources or builds relationships pointing them to Christ.

What is it that makes KidsGames different?

KidsGames is a worldwide movement. It utilizes strategies that local churches have used in isolation, presenting them with an exciting city or region wide focus as participants complete a common curriculum and come together for Opening and Closing Ceremonies. KidsGames curriculum and other resources draw on an impressive network of world leaders in children's and sports ministry from a diversity of cultural, denominational, and theological backgrounds. Most significantly, can you imagine gaining the attention of a whole city as thousands and even tens of thousands of children participate at the same time. That's a lot of excitement and a wonderful opportunity to communicate the unity of the church and the love of Christ.

A summary of some of the KidsGames to date are:

Kenya

In 2000, four towns/cities in Kenya hosted the KidsGames with 2,000 children participating. The Kenya field-tests included Opening Ceremonies but not a Closing Ceremonies.

India

In 1999 several one-day program called KidsGamesDay were held with over 3,000 children. This was conducted with a zero budget. Both Compassion and World Vision have focused on slum areas for KidsGamesDay events.

North Africa and Middle East

Participation included 50,000 children across the region. Khartoum Sudan, with 15,000 participants, and Cairo, with 10,000 participants, are the models for the largest numbers of children participating in the 10 cities.

All six Egyptian cities hosting KidsGames designed a full 10-week program. The children meet one day per week for sports and one day for the Biblical lessons. This was an opportunity to serve with the unchurched families and children. Over a ten-week time frame more friendships were built with unchurched families that will lead to their ongoing participation in the church and commitment to Christ.

Click here for KidsGames observations & lessons learned in Cairo, Egypt.

Orlando, USA

Fourteen churches conducted a 6-day program using six sites. At each site, six stations operated: three being for sports with one of these an individual sport, one a theme sport and another a fun activity. Three stations were for \"ministry\" with one being for a lesson, one for a memory verse, and one for music. The Orlando churches didn't have an Opening but did have a Closing Ceremony in a sports stadium.

Cape Town, South Africa

Cape Town developed a teenage model of KidsGames called TeenGames. Teens between 14 and 19 participate in the games. There is a greater sports base with competition in soccer, athletics, volleyball, handball, and netball. Seventeen churches participated in the TeenGames model.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to do a KidsGames?

The fee for the year KidsGames I year 2000 ten lesson curriculum and manual is US$28 which is payable to Child Evangelism Fellowship. Limited supplies are still available. This covers the cost of one Curriculum Manual. Further manuals may be purchased.

The fee for the KidsGames I year 2000 five-lesson curriculum on a CD is US$10 which is paid payable to Child Evangelism Fellowship.

• Child Evangelism Fellowship
• Attention Marshall Pennell
• PO Box 348
• Warrenton, MO 63383 USA
• e-mail at: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
• tel. (636) 456-4321 ext 223

Additional costs will include the overall coordination and promotion of KidsGames in your city and the Opening and/or Closing Ceremony. The costs will vary depending on need but would include promotion, hire of facilities, sports equipment, banners, stage spectacular, bibles and follow up materials, food and drink, honorariums, hosting of guest athletes, prizes and transport.

Each church or local group will need to cover similar areas of expense.

Where can we gather the money to conduct KidsGames?

Sponsorship or gifts in kind may be obtained from churches, individuals, businesses, sporting organisations, foundations, and even government funding.

Can anyone use the Name and Logo?

The names 'KidsGames' and 'KidsGames Day' are protected by copyright and trademark. Use of these terms is for groups who have been official recognized through the registration process, which includes agreement to this 'Terms of Registration' document.

KidsGames logos and mascots are also protected by copyright and trademark.