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.

GRAHAMSTOWN, South Africa — The church is old but sturdy. The broken windows allow the cold wind to whistle through the building. Children huddle together on wooden benches for warmth.

Albany Baptist Church is located in Joza, a hilltop township on the outskirts of the city of Grahamstown. Joza is always colder than the city — there are no trees or tall buildings to shelter it as the wind whips through the high hills.

Tata Kepe, 78, talks animatedly to a group of volunteers from Tennessee about the World Cup. He’s excited about the tournament and thinks the development taking place in South Africa is a good thing. “The people will come from overseas and bring their money,” he says. He’ll watch the games on his television.

The four volunteers came to Grahamstown to hold soccer clinics in impoverished townships. Austin Womac and Jacob Thurman are from Alcoa, Kyle Prince is from Murfreesboro, and Ken Brown is from Maryville.

Tata Kepe lives in Joza, a township outside of Grahamstown. It’s on a hilltop, cold because of the winter wind. For several decades he has been a deacon at Albany Baptist Church, the strongest Baptist church in the area. It has the potential to reach many in the region through outreach efforts like the soccer clinics.

Keke’s grandson, Samkelo, 13, attended the soccer clinic and learned stretches, drills and control techniques. He also learned more about Jesus and the importance of a life lived with Christ.

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