For the past two years, Contact Sports has been organizing an annual Sports Convention with the purpose of empowering Christian sports leaders from all over the nation to hear, to see, and to believe the power of God’s work through sports and to take sports to a deeper sense of ministry. This year, GCC had the privilege of supporting Contact Sports in their third consecutive effort; Unleashed! 3.0 Sports Convention 2009 was successfully held in the beautiful state known as ‘The Land below the Wind’ - Kota Kinabalu, Sabah - from the 20th to 22nd September 2009. Pastor Edward, Penny and Christopher had the opportunity to be part of this convention once again.

Kasih Sayang Resort.
2,400ft above sea level!

GCC’s vision is to empower the generations and to impact the nations. Unleashed Sports Convention has a parallel purpose in mind. To impact the nation, we have to therefore, go places in and around our nation. Hence, this year’s significant difference in the Sports Convention would be the venue of the event. For the past 2 years, the convention had been held in the Peninsula. This year, God has challenged Contact Sports to take it a step further - to bring the convention to the East.

Participants sharing and connecting with one another.

It was a blessing to see how God brought the people in for this convention. For one, it’s encouraging to see that there is great potential in this land where sports can be the initiator to greater things ahead, things that are of God. The people who came, ranges from young to old, showed keen interest to use sports not merely as a short-term outreach programme but to go deeper than that, taking the bold step forward to see sports as a long-term ministry. Secondly, it was also a blessing to have Mr. K.H. Tan, a renowned sports lifestyle movement advocate with over 25 years of experience in sports to share his passion and belief in sports ministry. He’s a man with many stories to tell, stories that will churn your passion in excitement. God is using this man to touch lives through his connection, his rugby club, his players and his life.

Mr. K.H. Tan, a man with great passion and vigour for the Lord in the area of sports ministry.

The goal of Contact Sports Ministry is to build sports network, whereby Christians can voice out their ideas and build connections with one another. This convention has achieved that goal indefinitely, initiating network amongst the Christian leaders who participated. There were groups who came together to collectively draft out their blueprint for the growth of floorball in Sabah while others came together to talk about basketball and even paintball. Being a church that supports this ministry, we pray that this spark of connection will go far and beyond. Not only were there connections made with one another, but ultimately with the God whom we worship. The time of praise and worship, the time of sharing ideas and the time when the participants were challenged by Pastor Edward proved to be a divine appointment and a divine encounter between them and God. Truly, God’s hand is moving in Sabah!

Coming into a time of praise and worship.

The convention also saw visitors from Fiji - mind you, they were huge Fijian rugby players! Mr. K.H. Tan brought five of his trusted ministers and workers along for this convention, people with a powerful testimony for Christ and who are expanding His kingdom through the area of sports. They are currently working in primary and secondary schools, exposing and coaching rugby as a sport. In doing so, they use rugby as a means to minister to the children and youth from all background. Here in GCC, we too believe that many more Christian sports leaders will take up sports to this height, where competitiveness and ministry can go hand in hand.

The Fijians and GCC members.

As we end the third Unleashed Sports Convention, God brought a sense of newness in most of us. There was a sense that something great is about to explode in excitement and as a church, we want to be ready as we expect Him to ‘unleash’ His glorious empowerment on us. Next year’s Unleashed will be one that is nothing less exciting. More practical hands-on convention for those who are fired up! Let’s continue to huddle with one another and with God as we move towards the direction He is leading us to in the area of sports ministry!

Believe that God will unleash you!

Unleashed! 3.0 Sports Convention 2009,
Kota Kinabalu, Sabah.