First and foremost, 2018 was a year which we have experienced the goodness of God in all 5 trainings we had in the year mentioned. It has been a year of awesome testimonies, through the trainings conducted under the flagship of CSRM Sports Ministry here in Malawi. We have seen pastors, church leaders accepting again Jesus Christ as their personal savior, after listening to the sports ministry tools for preaching the word of God.

It was amazing to experience and see at one training, 13 church leaders and pastors, confessed their sins and re-committed their lives to the Lord and Savior – JESUS Christ.  A  month later we went back to encourage our dear brethren in the Lord.  We found the church has transformed the membership and the building.  The church leaders not only recommitted to Jesus Christ but they testified with other leaders, that the tools of Sports Ministry are very helpful and powerful to use in bringing the word of God.  One was touched with the verse: “Where the heart is, its where one spends his/her time and money.” 

The Baptist church which had a dirt floor now has concrete and other ministries have been born within the church such as kids ministry, outreach ministry, sports ministry and a fundraising committee was established. The church had only 102 memberships, but now, it has increased in membership up to 206!  The church pastor, could not believe what he was seeing and how members who were only Sundays worshippers have turned to participating members in everything activity done at church.   Above that kids ministry is going very much strong and every week this ministry is joined by new kids.  

The church leaders are so puzzled with the way God is using Sports Ministry tools to bring His people close to Him. Pastors and church leaders did know that this tool can covert Muslims to Christianity, it’s not easy here in Malawi, as they have been preaching by using crusades but no one came from Muslim belief to accept Jesus Christ as the true Son of God. As in all 5 trainings and follow ups activities, 210 Muslims came to Christianity and accept Jesus Christ as their personal Savior.

The sports ministry trainings and outreaches, conducted this year, have had a very positive impact in more than 178 churches, as they have now new crop of ministries within churches because they now have the tools of sports ministry!  Sports Ministry at first was regarded as a time waster or something done by those who have questionable character, but in the long run, such belief has been washed by the hands of God through these trainings we have had in Malawi.  Now almost 1000 churches are inviting us to train their leaders. This is also a huge testimony.  The church leaders and pastors, testified that the crowd of people who come and participate during the outreaches is amazing and very much encouraging.

Many kids have accepted Jesus Christ and enjoy playing and being active in sports and church activities, as this also wasn’t there before coming of sports tools imparted in church pastors and leaders.  Sports Ministry has transformed church leaders and pastors including communities, it has reduced even crime rate which was committed mainly by idle youth, even at church these youth, couldn’t actively participate in any activities, they thought church is boring, but the coming of Sports Ministry and trainings, outreaches done in the community, have completely changed their mindsets and attitude towards the church. Now are involved in many activities at church, as others, have realized, rejuvenated their talents.  
 
James Mhango - CSRM Global Network Partner
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Anyone wishing to support James's ongoing ministry can do so at by logging on to the CSRM website and the Global Network Partner Page or the following hyperlink:  https://csrm.z2systems.com/np/clients/csrm/campaign.jsp?campaign=9&fundraiser=1091

Christmas Wishes
 
For unto us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders and he will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace             Isaiah 9:6
 
One of my favorite Christmas carols is I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas. Irving Berlin introduced the song in the movie Holiday Inn. Twelve years later, producers made a movie using White Christmas as a title.  I have always been a sucker for snow. I enjoy playing in it, running through it, and skiing over it. Most years, living in northern Mississippi, I have to live without snow.
 
While growing up, the experience of waking up on a Missouri morning and seeing the yard blanketed with snow was always exciting.  Snow meant a good chance for a cancellation of school.  Snowmen, snowball fights, and snow angels waited for my friends and me. 
 
It is so beautiful to look at a snow-covered yard.  I love the appearance of trees with snow resting on top of its limbs.  Snow seems to have such purity.  No matter what may be underneath snow makes all things look gorgeous. 
 
During the Christmas season, the covering of snow reminds me of the covering God gave me through Jesus Christ. Underneath I am ugly, sinful, disobedient, and rebellious. When evil occurs in our world, we often wondered why bad things happen to good people.  Equally, our thoughts will wonder as well as to why good things happen to bad people. Nothing in my life deserves the gift God gave to me at Christmas.  Yet, it was in my most ugly moment of life that Jesus died for me. 
 
Our sports, recreation, and fitness ministries are full of "ugly, dirty" people. There are people from all lifestyles and from all over the world that join us in our events and activities. God ordained our sports, recreation, and fitness ministries so that we might share His love with people that need Jesus.  Without Christ, there is no hope for these people at all. 
 
We celebrate the birth of Christ at Christmas.  Later in His life, He died to cover me with purity.  The real joy of Christmas is that in Christ it can always be a white Christmas.  No matter how ugly we are, He makes us as white as snow!  So, I am dreaming of a white Christmas, just like the ones I used to know.  Share Christ with someone and give him or her the opportunity to have God's purity create a blizzard covering in life. It will lead to the best white Christmas ever!
 
We at CSRM wish to share the joy of Christmas with the thousands of local churches, ministries, and Christians around the world that we work with and influence. Whether you serve Christ as a coach, administrator, craft teacher, fitness instructor, puppet leader, official, scorekeeper, camp leader, or party planner; CSRM thanks you for using leisure services as a tool for sharing the love of Christ with others.