Little Falls Alliance Church serving the youth through soccer

On a warm and sunny afternoon, the Little Falls Alliance Church had its annual youth soccer camp at the Belle Prairie Athletic Complex Tuesday, Aug. 6. The camp is run by Youth Pastor Chris Backhaus and students from the church’s youth group, ministering to kids between the ages of eight and 11.

The camp involved teaching kids soccer skills and taking a break while listening to a short Bible message from Logan Gold. Afterwards, the kids broke up into smaller groups with their coaches talk about the message and played three-on-three soccer matches to end the day.

Backhaus said the camp was established in 2021, after he and and a group of students came back from a mission trip in Providence, Rhode Island, which involved helping out with a similar camp for East African and Dominican refugees. The intent wasn’t just to teach them the sport, but also to minister to them in a fun and active setting.

“It’s not about soccer, it’s about forming relationships,” Backhaus said “That’s what it is that we’re about, forming relationships and showing the love of Jesus.”

The youth camp ran from Tuesday, Aug. 6 through Thursday, Aug. 8. The camp was suppose to start on Monday, Aug. 5, but was canceled due to field conditions.