A Pastor Passionate About Soccer
João Paulo Sentineli is a former soccer player whose career reached its pinnacle when, after playing on a few teams, he was part of the national Brazilian team. His soccer career was short-lived, though. The main reason was that he felt a call to serve God as a full-time pastor. João Paulo left the soccer field to go to seminary and prepare for his career in ministry. However, while studying, a struggle was taking place within him. He had the desire to connect his athletic talent to his calling as a pastor. But how? In 2019, he became an ordained pastor and also decided to start a soccer training ministry for kids living in poverty. This was Pastor João Paulo’s way of serving God full-time and using his soccer skills to do it. He called his program FreeFute.
By August 2022, FreeFute was serving about 100 kids in Nova Friburgo, a city in Rio de Janeiro. It is a beautiful area with a large tourism industry, but also one with a lot of needs. And this was not the only city Pastor João Paulo dreamt of reaching through FreeFute. The timing was right for a partnership with Lead by the Name (LBTN) to begin. With the desire to become a sustainable, growing ministry, Pastor João Paulo and two LBTN consultants began three months of weekly meetings through the One-on-One Mentorship program. During their time together, they were able to help Pastor João Paulo with his vision, encouraging and giving him ideas and suggestions to manage FreeFute better. They also helped him understand the need for strategic planning, team building, and a donor strategy to create a sustainable, long-term ministry.
In 2023, Pastor João Paulo plans to start new locations and teach 150 kids soccer skills and share the hope-filled message of Jesus Christ through FreeFute.
Here’s what João Paulo shared about his experience:
I am thankful to everyone involved in this blessed ministry. During the time of mentorship, I
saw that God's mission could be accomplished [in a way that led to] peace of mind in the performance of the work while guaranteeing greater quality. This brings glory to the name of the Lord.
Thinking and rethinking the ministry and the way it should work was remarkable for me. It was
through these mentoring sessions I understood my call to be a "tent-maker,” and I found
peace in that. I could do something like Apostle Paul; God was giving me life and experiences so that I could be where I am, using all my experiences so that God could reach children, teenagers, young people, and their families through FreeFute.
I thank God for all the investment in my life and the FreeFute Project. I praise God for Pastor Eduardo Mendes, with whom I had precious moments, and I am grateful for Pastor Bráulio, who, with thoughtful questions and encouragement was part of this process of shaping my vision.
Investing in LBTN is investing in people to be better prepared to fulfill God's mission according to what He has for each one.
Find out how Lead by the Name can help you build your ministry to have even more impact.
If you are interested in partnering with Lead by the Name as we empower leaders and organizations worldwide, go here.
Comments