JOHANNESBURG — Desperate areas. These are the focus of Impact Africa, a mission organization operating under the belief that people in desperate situations are searching for something that leads to hope and a better life.

The organization, which launched in 2003, ministers among the poorest of the poor, who live in settlements called squatter camps surrounding South Africa’s large cities. Impact Africa has a vision to be an agent of change through Christian outreach events, children’s education, teaching, discipleship and facilitation of short-term mission teams.

During the World Cup, a seven-member team representing Impact Africa are sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ in Diepsloot, a community in northern Johannesburg.

During the World Cup, Central Baptist Church in Pretoria decided they want to do “one or two things and do them well.” They chose to focus on outreach and hospitality. The church, which is located close to a World Cup stadium, is working with partnering congregations to share the Gospel with fans on their way to the stadium and to provide meals during big screen showings of World Cup matches.

DURBAN, South Africa — When most people think of a mistake, a bad decision or regrettable action comes to mind. Few people think of a child as a mistake.

During a Holiday Bible Club at Pinetown Baptist Church in Durban, youth pastor Tyronne Eilenburg found some of the children have never been told the words “I love you” by their parents. Some were even told they were a mistake from birth.

SOSHANGUVE, South Africa – The bus is brought to an abrupt halt in the middle of a narrow street, and the North American ladies are hurried from the vehicle. The people on the street immediately surround the women.

Normal neighborhood noises are overpowered by the sounds of drums pounding, vuvuzelas blowing, hands clapping, feet stomping and voices cheering. The parade of dancers, musicians and soccer enthusiasts eagerly escort the North Americans through the dusty streets.

South Africans in a village outside of Mafikeng erupt in celebration as the Bafana Bafana team score the first goal of the 2010 FIFA World Cup. The game was viewed at Freedom Baptist Church as a part of an evangelistic outreach ministry.