Albania: Bible Match

The ‘Bible Match’ project in Albania helps needy children and young people to connect with the Bible through sports. This evangelical project is based from the Friends for Life Sports Centre in the capital, Tirana. Three times a week children between 5-15 come together to participate in a fun packed programme filled with sports, games and story times.

‘Bible Match’ teaches the importance of physical health and good social skills. Most importantly, the children who attend this project are introduced to the Bible. Many have never heard Bible stories before and are excited to hear about the life of Jesus and other famous Bible characters.

Every week, nearly 200 children will attend ‘Bible Match’ programme. These children will each receive their own copy of a Children’s Bible to take home, and their parents will also be offered a copy of the Bible if they would like to take one.

Sharing the gospel through sport

Albania has been described as one of the least religious countries in the world – some might see that as a challenge, but the Bible Society in Albania see this as an opportunity. Since the beginnings of the work of the Bible Society in Albania in 1996 they have used sports to reach out to children and young people with Bible Stories.

I’m excited to tell you about a young man called Emiljo. Emiljo is from Albania – he lives in Tirana and studies Sport Science at University. Emiljo volunteers with the Bible Society of Albania and has been a follower of Christ for several years.

Emiljo was introduced to Jesus by different church volunteers and our colleagues in the Bible Society of Albania and now he is a volunteer doing the same for other young people.

Emiljo grew up in an orphanage, he had a difficult start in life. He often felt alone until the Bible Society’s volunteers became his extended family. Twice a week, they brought not just football training but a sense of community and belonging through Bible stories. Emiljo found faith and solace, saying, “When you are part of a team and a group, you never feel alone but feel part of a community.”

Now Emiljo is keen to help other young people learn about Jesus. He volunteers with the Bible Society coaching children who have had a similar start in life to him so that they too can feel part of a community and a family of Believers in Jesus and develop their own sports skills.

In a few weeks the Bible Society will be running their ‘Easter Cup’ at their centre in Tirana. Teams of young people and adults will come together to play in a football tournament with a difference – before every match there is a Bible study. Before playing any football, everyone has heard Bible stories and learnt Christian values. Later on this year it will happen again with a Summer Camp organised for young people in Tirana.

Your support today can directly impact these events, fostering an environment where everyone learns more about Jesus.