FLYING THE FLAG FOR FAITH, HOPE AND PARITY
Credit: Anita Milas
Australia, Costa Rica, Sweden...United Gospel Mission? Don’t rush to get the map out – the latter of those teams on the Homeless World Cup Sacramento 2023 play list isn’t a tiny European principality to the left of the Alps, rather a local collective of players who volunteered their time, sweat and footie skills to complete the match schedule when another team had to withdraw.
Established in 1962, United Gospel Mission Sacramento (UGMS) provides shelter, food, clothing and care for the spiritual wellbeing of people who are homeless in the city while also running a Men’s New Life rehabilitation programme.
Resident chaplains Jeremy Gauthier and Ralph King take up the story of their history, involvement and one very important flag. “I’ve always been involved in street ministry,” begins Jeremy.
“I was working in a law firm – and I was a drug addict for 20 years, lived on the streets, then God saved me through being welcomed into a shelter, at a church, nine years ago and I turned my life around. Now I help those who, like I was, are in need.
“We have a programme at our mission where guys can live and we can care for them, so when Homeless World Cup reached out to us because one of the scheduled teams couldn’t make it, we brought some of our guys.”
The big reach only happened three days prior to the tournament kicking off, with much practising and dusting down of youth skills taking place since then. As for kit, Jeremy adds: “An hour before the first match we were able to nail down shoes for the guys!”
Ralph, whose background is bedded in the military – with a side of martial arts – also cites the ministry as his driving factor to work with UGMS.
“Our players are primarily from Sacramento but also other parts of Northern California. They’ve come to a point where they know that we’re working intentionally to change their lives, going beyond meeting their practical needs, to help free them from their destructive habits.
“We involve the guys with a little bit of fitness as a healthy part of a whole programme of care for them. Some guys were really excited about forming a team and being involved while others were a little unsure of their ability. Some of them had played in their youth but it was never their main hobby. At the Mission we play soccer once every other week, when they go out and play for an hour at the pitch in the city, just to get some exercise, but nothing competitive.”
Both chaplains have already seen a change in their players, as Ralph says: “We’ve seen their confidence build as the days have gone on. They’re not happy we haven’t won a match yet but they’re enjoying the competition, getting away from the bustle of the mission, to get out and be among others, meet people from all these other countries who have similar experiences.
“There’s also been a buzz around the city about the tournament – if fact when we took one of our guys to the doctor the other day, the medic knew all about the tournament and was really interested that we were involved.”
Jeremy adds: “Even though we’ve lost games, there have been a few which have been really competitive. It’s making our guys realise not to make assumptions ahead of time and defeat yourself before you even try. You can see their spirits lighting up.
“It’s great exposure for them and, for us as chaplains, invaluable teaching opportunities as we help them talk about and process their experiences here.”
And the flag? One very special ‘stars and stripes’ is currently in the possession of the UGMS team, as something of a talisman. At a previous tournament, an American player was gifted a US flag by his father who had taken it with him while serving in Iraq. Signed by subsequent USA team players the flag will now be turned over and signed by players attending this first tournament on American soil.
Men on a mission, in so many ways, flying the flag for faith, hope and parity.
Credit: Alix Gunn
Words: Isobel Irvine