For the Bethel Men’s Soccer team, making goals is about more than just soccer – it’s also about doing real service in the real world. They achieved a team goal this past summer when they went on a team mission trip to Brazil and used soccer as a catalyst for ministry. Read more about their trip in this article from the Bethel athletic website, written by Maggie Caldwell (’13):

Most coaches have visions for their team. For Bethel College men’s soccer coach, Thiago Pinto, one of his main visions was accomplished before the 2011 season even began with a team mission trip to Brazil. “My goal was to get a group together that not only wants to win, but plays to glorify God,” said Pinto, a native of Brazil. “The trip really got us together and on the same page.” While Pinto has done several mission trips before, this one was unique because he got to bring his team to his home country.

The team traveled to Rio de Janeiro and Belo Horizonte, Brazil. The purpose of the trip was twofold. The first priority was outreach, the second soccer preseason training. But that wasn’t all. They played outreach games, ministered with clinics, and they invited non-believers to church, where Pinto preached one Sunday. If that wasn’t enough, the team… click here to read the full story.