JOHANNESBURG, South Africa — The stadiums now stand silent; the vuvuzelas packed away. Tourists are boarding planes, heading home to jobs and families. Media outlets are unplugging computers and loading up gear, ready to move on to the next big event.

Spain may still be celebrating their historic World Cup victory, but 31 other nations are already more focused on 2014 and how to do better next time.

With an anticipated cumulative global television audience of over 26 billion, it seems practically the entire planet has been soccer-obsessed for the last month. A question lingers in some believers’ minds: Does God really care about the World Cup?

During the tournament, countless ministries shared the Gospel throughout South Africa, and we know God cares about the many souls who entered His kingdom, as well as those still searching.

But does He care who wins the World Cup?

STELLENBOSCH, South Africa — Before the 2010 World Cup kicked off on African soil, a team of Brazilians were already looking ahead to 2014 when Brazil hosts the next World Cup.

Their training ground, however, is in South Africa, where they are ministering to youth and getting ideas on how they can use soccer to minister to their own people in the next four years.

“Our goal was to come here and serve the communities and learn something for Brazil 2014,” said Celio Freitas, team leader for the Brazilians. “We are preparing a great campaign to lead in Brazil.”

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.

PRETORIA, South Africa – Unashamed, she handed Bibles to passersby. As fans walked past Mariska de Jager, some took tracts, a Bible or a DVD testimony of Kaká, a well-known Brazilian soccer player. De Jager’s husband, Marius, ran across the street to help another group pass out more materials.

Several churches have partnered together to host a “Big Screen Outreach” at Central Baptist Church in downtown Pretoria, one of the host cities of the 2010 World Cup. Yesterday, the de Jagers and about 60 other volunteers gathered to distribute materials and host a showing of the Paraguay vs. Japan game.

Forest Hills Baptist Volunteers in Cape Town from Africa Stories on Vimeo.

Volunteers from Forest Hills Baptist Church in Raleigh, North Carolina, share experiences from their mission trip to Cape Town, South Africa.

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.

JOHANNESBURG — “I will never be the same,” said João Batista. “I will go back [to Brazil] a different person. This has changed my life.”

A Brazilian volunteer mission group, 200-strong, has come to South Africa to minister during the World Cup. Representing 25 denominations, they come under the coordination of the Brazilian Baptist International Mission Board. They are here to share the Gospel through soccer and health clinics; puppets and plays; and arts, crafts and sewing classes.

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.

American and South African students share the love of Christ in a village in South Africa through soccer clinics and big-screen showings of World Cup matches.

Read more about this ministry in South Africa at www.worldsoccerjourneys.com