Approximately 500 people participated in Project Goal 2026 Global Edition, an initiative of Nazarene Youth International (NYI) Mexico that mobilized young people and churches to share the message of Jesus Christ while taking advantage of the attention generated by the global football tournament.
As a result, 20 people made decisions to follow Christ, and 14 others reconciled with God. In addition, 12 families were connected with small groups and local churches for continued support, and 40 new volunteers joined the ministry of NYI.
The project was led by NYI Mexico in partnership with districts, local churches, and ministries such as Nazarene Missions International, Missionary Mobilization, and Evangelism in the participating districts.
The initiative included three official locations in Guadalajara, Jalisco; Monterrey, Nuevo León; and Mexico City. It was also replicated by four local churches in Las Choapas, Veracruz; Huixtla and Tuxtla Gutiérrez, Chiapas; and León, Guanajuato. In total, 10 churches participated across seven locations in the country.
Although Project Goal already existed as a sports evangelism strategy, the Global Edition was designed as a comprehensive project consisting of three stages: preparation, implementation, and follow-up.
During the first stage, which took place from January through May 2026, partnerships were established and four national training sessions were provided to 100 leaders and emerging leaders. This prepared churches to implement the model in their own contexts and expand the project beyond the three official locations.
The second stage took place in June and July during Mexico’s matches and the final rounds of the international football competition. Nazarene Fan Zones were organized in the participating communities, featuring large-screen match broadcasts, sports activities, children’s areas, prayer times, testimonies, and presentations of the message of salvation.
Teams also went into their communities to invite people to the activities and share the gospel through different sports evangelism resources.
The purpose was to use football as a bridge to connect with children, young people, and families who might not enter a church building but would attend a football field or Fan Zone to watch a match.
In addition to sharing food and providing spaces for fellowship, volunteers listened to and prayed with people facing different circumstances, including struggles related to addiction.
The activities provided safe, family-friendly, and alcohol-free environments. This allowed neighbors who had never entered a church to connect with the congregation, receive prayer, and be heard without feeling judged.
For Ramiro Castro Contreras, Project Initiator and Manager for NYI Mexico and coordinator of the initiative, one of the most significant aspects was seeing how young people responded to God’s call.
“Watching them serve with joy, share their faith without fear, and pray for people reminded me that there is a generation willing to live out the gospel with passion,” Castro said.
The third stage will take place from August through September and will focus on following up with and discipling the individuals and families reached through the project. Local churches will be responsible for walking alongside them and connecting them with small groups and congregations.
The manuals, training resources, and lessons learned will also remain available so that other churches can replicate the model during future large-scale events.
In this way, Project Goal went beyond the matches and activities surrounding the global football tournament. The true victory was seeing young people serve, churches connect with their communities, and new lives begin a journey of transformation in Christ.
Source: Ramiro Castro Contreras, NYI Mexico.
Translated with the assistance of artificial intelligence.
