And you, what did you say (TO HIM)?

For many years JOAO LEITE was the first-choice goalkeeper for the Brazil national team, and he was one of the best in the world. Joao was one of the founder members of the group, ATHLETES FOR CHRIST, along with Baltazar. At the outset, when he was explaining his evangelistic ministry amongst other players, he had the opportunity to speak in a church in Brazil. After sharing in the meeting about how God was blessing the work and had given him many occasions to talk about Jesus to others, one of the leaders of the church closed the service with a prayer. He said "Lord, bless Joao Leite, and give him a proper job so that he can give up playing football." It seemed as if the entire congregation saw the importance of evangelism within the world of sport - except this man.

All believers need to understand the love that Jesus has for us. If we don't understand his love, we will not appreciate the fact that it is our duty to function as a team, and make a stand, in unity, against the enemy. In this team (which, in the Bible, is called the 'body of Christ') we are all needed. No one person is more important than another. No-one has the right to say that what he thinks is of more value. No-one should speak badly of a fellow Christian. No-one should undervalue another person.

God shows us that the Devil's number one weapon against the unity of the body of Christ, is accusation and gossip. When we gossip about something to do with a fellow Christian, the Devil is talking through us! Criticism of a brother is like going into battle against a member of our own team, and we disappoint God. In the body of Christ, all the believers are indispensable.

Christ died for all: not only for those who think and act as we ourselves do.

We need to be understanding of one another. We need to learn to live as a body.