WORLD CUP WATCH PARTY
Along with our Local Partner Salem For Refugees, we're excited to be hosting a World Cup Finale Watch Party this summer!
Join us on Sunday, July 19 for ONE church service at 9 am, then stay for the kick-off of the 2026 World Cup finale together! We'll be hosting refugee families with our Local Partner: Salem For Refugees.
With roughly 1/2 the planet (4 billion people) being fans of soccer, we know that enjoyment of soccer brings people together across geographic, relational, language and cultural barriers! We also know that the love of Jesus and fellowship in Him brings people together across those same barriers.
What if we combine the love of Jesus and the love of soccer?
We'll get to show the love of Jesus by welcoming them in, having fellowship and eating a meal together while we watch the World Cup Finale and cheer for whoever is playing.
This is a unique opportunity to connect with people that we wouldn't necessarily have opportunity to meet otherwise, for a time of getting to know each other and connecting on a basic level.
It is a foundation to possible future friendships.
We expect to see anywhere from 300-400 refugees from 10-12 countries for this game! If you were here for the Eclipse Event we did in 2017, this is a similar type of opportunity to gather with folks from many other countries to experience something fun together. We want to step forward to embrace this opportunity to love our neighbors.
This World Cup Finale watch party is a great way to be a friend to families who've experienced so much heartache and tragedy as they've been forced to flee their countries due to war, famine, or persecution; then to wait in a host country for an average of 10-20 years before being resettled here with a chance to start a new life.
Salem For Refugees brings people and resources together to empower refugees to thrive. They see all refugees in Salem as valued, thriving, contributing members of our community. It's about relationships. We all need to be in community, none of us were meant to go through this life alone. Let's step out of our comfort zone to welcome our neighbors.
What TO EXPECT:
A bunch of people from a bunch of countries enjoying soccer and relationship together at Morning Star
A great meal shared together
God to work, in some way, in the lives of those attending as they see the love of Jesus, and in your life as you show the love of Jesus
HOW CAN YOU GET INVOLVED:
Attend church and the watch party on July 19 and anticipate the opportunities to interact with refugee families
Be your normal, welcoming, joyful self and show people the love of Jesus that is in you.
Volunteer to help with setup and teardown, serving food, or a number of other areas
Contact Jared at jared@mstar.church for more info!