Norfolk football league thrives on church support
 The pastoral meeting of the Norfolk Christian Football League took place this week. Chairman Mike Culwick called for churches to support their football teams as part of their outreach ministry and spoke of exciting plans to extend the league further in Norfolk.
Pastoral representatives from the league met on Monday 28 November at Witard Road Baptist Church to talk about the vision of the league, plans for expansion and also making the most of the opportunity the Olympics in 2012 offers for outreach.
Mike Culwick emphasized that the purpose of the League is to share the Christian faith. He called for a strong Christian presence from the touchline from churches, parents and the players’ wider family.
The teams are part of the churches’ ministry and offers the community a means of engaging with the church .
He said, “We’re here to share the faith and try and win people for Jesus. You can’t do that without strong Christian support. Vibrant church support is essential. Football brings together families like nothing else does.”
NCFL links with many agencies and Christian groups including YMCA, ENYP, Horstead Centre, YFC and, increasingly, local schools. The League plans to develop these strong connections to further the impact of their activities.
A mini Olympics event is planned for the Spring for NCFL teams to link together in a social capacity, play some football, enjoy a gospel talk and BBQ. James Leck is organising the event, provisionally set for 31st March, and said, “It’s an opportunity for all of us to come together and feel part of a Christian league.”
The group talked of plans to extend the League to rural locations in Norfolk. The efforts of teams located far from Norwich, such as Sheringham , were recognised. It is hoped that local leagues will be formed over the next few months to make it a truly Norfolk league and reach churches in a wider area.
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