World Cup Opens with Big Crowds, Concerns, Outreach

Among the more than three million people expected to attend the soccer championship, Christians will be on scene with a massive evangelistic campaign.

By Audrey Barrick, Christian Post Reporter Saturday, June 10, 2006

The 18th World Cup was declared open Friday at the Munich stadium with more than 140 former World Cup winners and a kickoff match between Germany and Costa Rica. Among the more than three million people expected to attend the soccer championship, Christians will be on scene with a massive evangelistic campaign matched with what many consider the world's most popular sport.

Soccer fans packed the streets of Munich on Friday, watching outdoor video screens from city restaurants and beer gardens. Billions more are also expected to watch on television throughout the world.

For months, Christians have expressed great concern over the flood of prostitutes and human trafficking that would also kick off along with the 64-match tournament. German police, however, reported seeing no signs of any explosion of forced prostitution that had been warned of in the months leading to the opening day.

There are already 2,400 prostitutes in Hamburg, according to the police chief in the northern port city of Hamburg, which does not allow much space for more.

A Vatican archbishop on Thursday lamented on the possible flood of prostitutes. Archbishop Agostino Marchetto told Vatican Radio, "Prostitution, in fact, violates the dignity of the human person, reducing her to an object and instrument of sexual pleasure," according to The Associated Press.

It’s estimated that more than 40,000 women could be brought into Germany to be exploited as sex workers. German officials say, however, the number is overblown.

Along with Christians raising the issue to the government to prevent any sexual exploitation, many are focused on reaching out to the spectators themselves. The Salvation Army is running a large evangelistic campaign across the majority of the 12 host cities. Local churches are also joining the effort through their newly formed Kickoff2006 network.

Tens of thousands outreach resources have been copied for distribution to the massive crowds. The team of Germany and Lithuania Salvationists has already packed up 700 T-Shirts, 5,000 Jesus DVDs, 4,900 Bibles, and more than 20,000 Kickoff2006 (TM) Pocket Guides for distribution.

Campus Crusade for Christ's new DVD called "The Prize" features famed player Tim Howard of the Manchester United Red Devils along with other soccer greats. More than the fame or success, Howard lives for God, according to his wife Laura.

"The most important thing in my life is Christ," Howard told a group of kids at an L8r Club session, where he volunteers when he is not traveling. "He's more important to me than winning or losing or whether I'm playing or not. Everything else is just a bonus."

The 32-nation World Cup culminates in Berlin on July 9.