Bump, Set, Spike, Pray!

​I recently had the chance to accompany a new-ish ministry activity: Thursday evening devotions for a middle school girls' volleyball team. Fourth-year seminarian Oscar (Mexico) is spearheading the project. It's the latest component of a much wider effort to bring the Gospel to young athletes through the "Chamos" NGO founded by Victor, a member at Iglesia Luterana Pueblo Nuevo. By day, Victor sells heavy-duty hand cleanser (the gritty orange stuff); by night, he coaches volleyball at various municipal parks and does his best to instill good sportsmanship, good values, and good Lutheran theology in the players. He also recently began his studies in the seminary's online pastoral formation program. 

Around 5:15, Oscar and my fiancé Josh brave rush hour traffic to arrive in Villa Olga, an upper middle class neighborhood full of trendy restaurants, by the time practice ends. An older boys' basketball team takes over the court, so they meet just outside it, adjacent to the sidewalk; yes, this turns the heads of as many dog walkers and joggers as you might think. 

Josh's role is typically opening and closing prayers. 

Oscar always utilizes volunteer readers. The girls were practically fighting over who got to do it. For now, he pre-marks the passages with sticky notes and a highlighter. 

Recognize this one? 

We always end with a group picture. 

One week, Oscar was buried in homework assignments, so he wrote a script for Josh and his fellow vicar Gavin to lead on their own. 

They did great!

Related prayer requests:

• That the players' hearts would be fertile soil in which the Gospel takes root and multiples; 
• For Victor as he carries out his many vocations; 
• For the continuation and expansion of this work following Oscar's May 2026 graduation. 

Until next time, blessings in Christ!