European
Communities Football Tournament
Munich – May 2016.
.
by Pete Coyle
The European Sword of the Spirit Football
Tournament has been running since its inception
in 1992 and remains one of the highlights of the
year (if not the
highlight) for many throughout the
region. It’s an event unlike any other, filled
with football (obviously), fellowship, banter,
prayer, brotherhood and community. The Football
Tournament is an event geared toward gathering
men from around the region to come together to
play together but also to be men together, pray
together and build community together. In some
ways the football itself is the least important
part of the weekend.
Organizers
for the 2016 European Communities Football
Tournament
Overall, the
tournament was also a triumph. Everyone enjoyed
the on field and off field aspects and all the
matches were closely contested. It was a great
experience overall. Away from the pitch, notable
events included the Lord’s Day in Munich city
centre which was followed by a rousing prayer
meeting featuring a brief but inspirational
sharing by Dave ‘Q’ Quintana. Q spoke on the
different stages of life that many of the
brothers were at and the Lord was asking us to
respond given our different phases of life. The
Sunday night celebration was also a high point
as the guys shared some beer and fellowship.
Perhaps one of
the most important features of the Football
Tournament is its sense of history and
repetition. Given that many of the people who
play each year are the same, relationships and
brothers are developed year upon year so that
many of the older men are steadfast brothers who
have known each other for twenty five years. For
them, the tournament is a permanent fixture on
the yearly calendar where they can refresh these
friendships.
The overall
spirit in which the tournament is conducted is
also an incredibly vital part of the
tournament’s dynamic. While we strive to play
hard, we also seek to play fair and to ensure a
brotherly atmosphere is created. For many, the
environment of the tournament is a precious
thing: men coming from across the continent to
be together. The spiritual aspect is also
crucial for many. The Saturday night prayer
meetings are normally places where the Lord
works powerfully with many of the men present
and this year was no exception. God was speaking
clearly and calling directly to his sons.
The Football
Tournament continues to be a place of life, hope
and joy amongst our brothers in Europe and long
may it continue to be. I thoroughly look forward
to joining in again in Bielsko Biala in May
2017.
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