Gander Floor Hockey Outreach

Gander Floor Hockey Outreach

Back in 1983, there were several young people connected to the believers in Gander, Newfoundland who had nowhere really to go on a Friday night. Thinking that floor hockey could be a draw to bring them together, we made arrangements to rent a school gymnasium on Friday nights usually from 7:00 to 9:00pm. We invited the young people and told them to bring their friends.

Over the years the number fluctuated from a minimum of 8 to over 30.  When larger numbers showed up, we would break them up into three teams and played a round robin with the game lasting 15 to 20 minutes or to a score of 10.

Approximately half way through we would take a break. This is when we would open the Scriptures and give a suitable ten minute gospel message and a short prayer. If an evangelist happened to be visiting the area, he would be invited to speak. Having a variety of speakers helped to maintain interest.

At the end of the season or usually when school finished we would have a barbeque where all the participants would be invited.

In addition to all the local youth who heard the Gospel through this effort, this work was also instrumental in reaching out to the foreign students who were in Gander. Interestingly, the first contact with the Chinese student pilots was made through some of them attending their very first ever hockey game! After that first night one of them was amazed over the news that he actually had a soul! As a result of this, an outreach was started with the Chinese students until they left Gander.

Since 1983 there have been over 400 young people (mostly male teenagers) that have played floor hockey or what they call “Bible Hockey”.  The work has ended now because of young people moving on and less contacts.

The work is effective if there are young people connected to the assembly, as they can personally invite their friends along as well.

If you would like more information contact Ron Mills in Gander.