“Parents were so grateful for the space created for their kids to play during the winter,” said Juan Rivas, pastor of the Colby and Green Bay Hispanic churches. “It helped the adults destress from work and kept their children more active, and away from electronics.”
The tournament was held Jan. 28 through March 31 at the Memorial Hall of Unity with seven adult male teams and two mixed team categories, ages 7 to 10 and 11 to 16, participating.
“Parents were so grateful for the space created for their kids to play during the winter,” said Juan Rivas, pastor of the Colby and Green Bay Hispanic churches. “It helped the adults destress from work and kept their children more active, and away from electronics.”
During the final ceremony at the Colby High School on March 31, the church’s club ministry was involved. “We took advantage of promoting the Adventurer Club, allowing them to register their children,” Rivas stated. “Members wore the Global Youth Day shirt 2024, ‘Show Up in the Cities,’ with the Adventurer Club’s scarf as part of the community outreach strategy.”
The event was promoted at local businesses and yielded contact with a family of former Adventists. They were unaware there was an Adventist church just 30 minutes from their home. Rivas visited them and the family is now attending the church and participating in Bible studies.
Colby, population 1,350, is a farming community in the heart of Wisconsin famous for its Colby cheese. The 55 members of the Colby Church are actively forging relationships with the Hispanic community, many of them working in factories, construction, agriculture and manufacturing plants. Soccer is a huge sport in their native countries of Mexico, Nicaragua, Guatemala, Honduras, Columbia and El Salvador.
Several businesses supported the event with sponsorship of items such as uniforms, water, monetary donations or graphic design services. Gratitude was extended to the sponsors: Ever Construction LLC, Caribe Ink and Thread LLC, Peck Roofing Inc, La Weracruzana Mexican Store, Abarrotes La China Mexican Store, Taqueria El Sol, La Norteñita Grocery, Partydise, ZB Designs, Fiesta Market LLC, Novedades La Chiquita, Nicolet Bank and Pasito Mexican Store.
“Our members are learning that we are not just a church in the community,” Rivas reported, “but one that works with and for the community.”
Another tournament is planned for January–March 2025.
Juan Rivas with Herald staff
