Event Recap: 2026 Kenya Mission Trip

On June 4, the Uncommon Sports Group mission trip team departed for an eleven-day mission trip to Kenya. The team consisted of sixteen sports industry professionals and four staff members. Each team member came from a different organization and background within the sports industry, but we came together with the shared purpose of growing in Christ, encountering Him, and serving Him faithfully in Kenya. If you'd like to learn more about the attendees, click here to read the pre-trip blog.

In Kenya, Uncommon Sports Group works primarily with two ministry partners. The first is a church and primary school called Huduma, located in the Kawangware slum. Our ministry with Huduma began on Sunday, June 7. We attended worship services at Huduma Cathedral and had the opportunity to worship alongside the local community.

On Monday, June 8, we began our sports camp ministry at Huduma Primary School. The school serves more than 600 students from the Kawangware community. Our ministry with the students includes donating sports equipment and school supplies, as well as hosting sports camps for the children. These camps focus on serving the students, teaching practical athletic skills, and intentionally investing in their spiritual growth. The four sports we teach are soccer, basketball, volleyball, and American football. Each team member is assigned to a different sport each day and is responsible for leading drills and activities for the students.

The team served in sports camp ministry for three days, concluding on Wednesday, June 10. On Thursday, June 11, the team participated in street evangelism throughout Kawangware. This ministry is both impactful and meaningful. Team members go door to door, sharing the gospel and praying with people in the community. An important aspect of this ministry is gaining a deeper understanding of the unique challenges and daily realities faced by those living in the community.

After completing our ministry with our first partner, we transitioned to serving alongside our second partner, a pastor and sports minister named Kennedy Salano. Kennedy ministers to coaches and young athletes across Kenya. Our ministry with Pastor Salano consisted of a coaches seminar and a soccer tournament.

The coaches seminar brought together more than one hundred coaches from across Kenya. These coaches represented a variety of sports and age groups. The team's ministry focused on helping coaches faithfully live out their faith in Christ within their coaching roles. Topics included discipleship, prayer, and other practical applications of faith in sports. Eight of our team members had the opportunity to teach sessions, while the remaining members facilitated discussion at the tables.

On Saturday, June 13, our ministry with Pastor Salano continued with a soccer tournament. The tournament brought together eight teams coached by individuals who had attended the seminar the previous day. The team's ministry included serving and encouraging the coaches, mentoring the athletes, and sharing a gospel presentation with every team at the conclusion of the tournament. This was an excellent opportunity for the coaches to put into practice what they had learned during the seminar.

On Sunday, our ministry with Pastor Kennedy concluded at his church, where team members shared words of encouragement with the congregation. In addition, USG Director of Ministry Noah Weiss preached a message focused on a biblical theology of suffering, encouraging the church to trust in the Lord's work in their lives amid hardship and trials.

The team wrapped up the trip on Monday, June 15, with a visit to Amboseli National Park for an African safari. It was an incredible experience, and the team even witnessed the rare sight of a cheetah chasing a gazelle.

As team members travel home, our prayer is that they will continue pursuing the Lord and serving Him faithfully in their everyday lives. The Lord moved powerfully through each member of the team during this trip, and every individual is returning to their community and organization transformed by what God has done.

Thank you for your support and prayers throughout this trip. If you'd like to learn more about Uncommon Sports Group and how you can get involved, click here.