Sportily is a Christian sports and physical activity organisation based in Gloucestershire, creating fun and welcoming spaces where people of all ages can get active, build friendships and explore faith through sport, games and community activities.
Natalie Burfitt, Head of Christian Distinctiveness for Sportily, reflects on the ‘encounter spaces’ that Sportily has been developing over the past six months.
“One of Sportily’s core aims is to create opportunities for people that connect with our activities to explore Christian practices in a natural and accessible way. By intentionally creating space for reflection, conversation and prayer, the hope is that people might encounter God for themselves.
“As with any missional venture, the challenge is finding ways to naturally incorporate this into existing activity and community life. Over the past last six months, Sportily has been experimenting with seasonal ‘encounter spaces’, designed to do exactly that.
“Each encounter space follows a sporty structure – ‘warm up’, ‘play it’ and ‘cool down’. This framework is designed to combine games and fun activities with moments for reflection, prayer and faith conversations. The sessions are intentionally flexible and can either be integrated into existing sessions or offered as stand-alone events within local communities.
“‘Blazefest’ is the summer focus, an encounter space centred on sunshine, playing games, and exploring God’s affirmation that we are called to be like light (and salt) in the world. In January, there is ‘Reset’ which offers a different tone, giving space for those beginning the year with energy and intention, or with an option instead to gear it for those who may be embracing the darkness of the season and feeling down, ill or drained. Alongside these are four further themes – Newtide, Duskwind, Advent and Lightborn – each designed to help people connect faith, everyday life and the rhythms of the year.
“At Sportily, we are learning and adapting as we go – the material is a living document and very much open to change.”
News Hub
