Super Bowl outreach seeks to bring good news to ‘Big Game’ visitors

ARLINGTON?The Southern Baptists of Texas Convention is one of several Baptist organizations working to bring the message of Jesus Christ to those who flock to Dallas-Fort Worth the week of the Super Bowl.

Arguably the world’s greatest single-game sports event, the Super Bowl’s 45th contest, to be played Feb. 6 at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, is expected to draw nearly 150,000 visitors to DFW. The SBTC, along with the North American Mission Board, Baptist General Convention of Texas, Tarrant Baptist Association, and Dallas Baptist Association, are joining forces in “Reach 45: The Big Game Evangelism Project.”

Included in the Reach 45 events are:

• A “Million-Card Giveaway” in conjunction with the “I Am Second” organization the weekend of the Super Bowl,
• “I Am Second” church-based discussion groups,
• A “Souper Bowl of Caring” service blitz,
• Community Watch Party in Arlington,
• Traffick 911’s anti-human trafficking tailgate party,
• An NFL-sanctioned Athlete’s in Action Super Bowl breakfast.

John Meador, pastor of First Baptist Church of Euless, said church groups are invited to participate in the Million-Card Giveaway, which takes place in the hours immediately before and after the game around the parking areas of the stadium. “I Am Second” is also promoting itself on billboards and other advertising media.

“Because this ‘giveaway’ is a card that directs people to the I Am Second website, highlighting testimonies of NFL players who have given their lives to Christ, the giveaway can also take place in any area where churches desire to expose people to the gospel,” Meador said.

“The momentum of the Super Bowl event allows churches to point people to the positive examples in sports and to the good news of Christ. The ‘I Am Second’ Internet campaign is one of the most effective pre-evangelism strategies designed to expose people to gospel.”

For people who have heard the gospel and want to get involved, “I Am Second” steers those inquiries toward churches that are hosting “I Am Second” groups, Meador said.

“The hope is to have several hundred thousand ‘hits’ on the “I Am Second” website the week of the Super Bowl, and have that many people hear testimonies of ‘Christ is first in my life.'”

To sign up for event participation or to learn more about the outreach, visit reach45.com.