Mission Moments: With Pastor Philip & Deaconess Rachel Jaseph

Uruguay & the FIFA World Cup:
Perspectives on Faith . . . and "football"

“Football (a.k.a soccer) is the national religion of Uruguay”
This statement has been said tongue-in-cheek by many people who have either lived or traveled in Uruguay, and during these weeks of the FIFA World Cup it’s shown itself to be true. "El equipo que nows une", or "The team that unites us" is a motto of the Uruguayan national football team.

It’s interesting to reflect on this concept of unity in a country made up almost entirely of immigrants or not-so-distant descendants of immigrants. When forming a national identity, what united those of Italian, Spanish, German, and Russian heritage? Common desires in life, for one. Freedom of (or for some, from) religion, a new start to raise a family in security, land to raise cattle, etc. Eventually, a common language, cuisine, dance, mentalities, customs, and worldviews all unite people of any nation. For many Uruguayans, football is another one of those unifying factors. And on a grand scale, it’s the closest thing to a religious identity in this country of 3 million.

Christians from every place and time have always had a unity unrivaled by the world, especially in light of the astounding diversity of the Body of Christ. In Christ, we are given forgiveness, life, and a new identity. In baptism, God weaves us into a new family. This community of sinner-saints is broken, and our unity is not all that it should be this side of heaven, but all who confess Jesus as Lord are unified in this confession of faith and have the certainty of eternal unity perfected in the life to come. This unity, having Christ and being found in Him, is longer-lasting and far more vital than any football team that may unite its fans. In light of this, I’m thankful to have been able to cheer on Uruguay as they played in the World Cup alongside Christian friends who also believe and understand that our greatest unity is the life in Christ that we share.

And this is why we are here. To share this truth with others, with the many, many people who do not know who Jesus is, and what He has done for the world. Thank you for all the ways that you support us, pray for us, and have made it possible for us to be here to tell others of…

"El Cristo que nos und." -- "The Christ that unites us."