CAPE TOWN, South Africa — It is known to be one of the most dangerous townships in South Africa. More children are murdered here than anywhere else in the country.

The Nyanga township near Cape Town International Airport may have a reputation of violence, but volunteers from Forest Hills Baptist Church in Raleigh, North Carolina, are not letting that stop them from shining the light of Christ in an otherwise dark place.

BLOEMFONTEIN, South Africa – Today France and South Africa meet in this World Cup host city for a key match that may decide who proceeds to the next round of the competition. But a group of French fans are focused more on the soccer action in townships than those being broadcast on television.

A French team from Athletes in Action is ministering to youth in the townships of Bloemfontein through soccer camps.

PRETORIA, South Africa — Suicide. Grief. Abuse. These are some of the issues faced by the women on the South African national soccer teams. About 27 female soccer players from Athletes In Action (AIA) came from the United States and Canada to train with and minister to over 30 members of the South African teams — Banyana Banyana (the national team), Betswana (the Under 20 team), and Betwana Betwana (the Under 17 team).

A large part the training camp was spent on drills, skill building and simulation matches, while relationship building and group sessions aided in the women’s emotional growth.

During the sessions, some South African players opened up about their social and familial exploitation, such as rape and lesbianism, which they experience on a regular basis in their living situations.

Grahamstown, South Africa, sits nestled between tall hills. It’s a small, academic community with a major university and three private schools. Students come from all over southern Africa to attend Rhodes University in Grahamstown.

Most township children, like those from Joza, will never experience the rich lifestyle of many Grahamstown residents. Through soccer ministry, Grahamstown Baptist Church hopes to help build bridges and build relationships between the people in the rich community and those in the poorer township.