[UPDATE - Dec 24]
YOU DID IT!! Your generous giving has helped us reach our goal to close out the construction books on the Life Center!! Not only was every matching dollar redeemed, it looks like enough may come in to also finish the kitchen which is the last major indoor space needing work! Thank you!! We can't wait to see how God is going to use the Life Center in 2022 and beyond!
Becoming a reality!
For the last 6 years, we have been working and dreaming towards the goal of a self-supporting ministry center that increases our impact in the community.
God has been so good, and this fall, the last major piece of the center was built -- the soccer field! This 30x17 meter, covered field will be the financial engine to maintain and staff the Life Center as well as the initail reason most people will first visit the center!
But because increases in material costs, a weakened US dollar, and new taxes on building projects introduced in 2021, we still owe approximately $50,000 to the contractor to close out the construction books.
God is already starting to provide!
Several donors have stepped forward and are offering substantial matching grants! As of today, $23,300 has been given to match your gift dollar for dollar!
Taking our best shot!
With your generous 'assist' and that of matching grants, we hope to meet our goal of finishing the funding for the Life Center in 2021! Would you consider a year-end gift to maximize the matching grants?
P.S. - Remember, all new donations up to $23,300 by the end of 2021 will be doubled!
Indoor Soccer Field & Ministry Building in Albania
Unlike the United States, there are no organized sports at local public schools in Albania. There are also no parks or other public places to gather for recreation near the village of Vlashaj. For years, WGM Missionaries Nathan and Cydil Waggoner organized recreation programs at a renovated village house that served as their church and ministry center. But there was limited outdoor space, and ministry growth was constrained.
A dream began to form of a facility that would not only help to solve the space problem, but also draw men (who are reluctant to enter a Christian church) and be financially self-sufficient through operating a for-profit business!
In 2020–2021 the new Life Center, a multi-purpose ministry center, was built. It is a hub for education and training in the Waggoners’ district of Albania. The center includes an indoor soccer field, locker rooms, bathrooms, classroom, physical therapy, and exercise space, as well as a meeting hall for church meetings and English classes.
Desiring that this center be a place where ALL people are welcome, it was designed to be accessible to those in wheelchairs. WGM global worker Tiffany Janofski has assumed management of a day school for those with mobility challenges. The new center provides a safer, more dignifying education experience for these students, connecting them and their families to a local church that is welcoming and accessible to them.
The Waggoners have exciting plans for the center. “Our hope is that as men and others come to the center and meet Christians, it will help de-stigmatize church and allow for more participation,” Nathan says.
How can you help?
Pray: Please pray for Nathan and Cydil, Tiffany, others involved in ministry in Vlashaj, and those who will be positively impacted by the new ministry center.
Give: Partner with the Albania field to raise the needed funds to complete the ministry center.
Go: Do you love Jesus and soccer or those with special needs? Contact our mobilization team about opportunities to serve in Albania.
Connect: Stay up to date on the project at www.soccerchurch.com.
Recent Contributors
Give »| Name | Amount | Date | Comment |
| Katherine Hutchinson | $50.00 | Nov 22nd, 2021 | |
| Shelley Peters | $500.00 | Nov 26th, 2021 | |
| Private | $3,000.00 | Nov 29th, 2021 | May the Lord continue to bless your efforts in Vlashaj! :) :) :) |
| Laura Needler | $50.00 | Nov 30th, 2021 | So excited for the Life Center! |
| Private | $1,000.00 | Nov 30th, 2021 | This gift is for the Indoor Soccer Field/Ministry Building in Albania. |
| Mary E Hermiz | $100.00 | Nov 30th, 2021 | Praying your goals will be met! |
| Rod & Karyn McCue | $1,000.00 | Nov 30th, 2021 | Rejoicing with you for the wonderful ministry center that is now in use! Hoping that we can visit, in person, some day! |
| Patricia Sebree | $40.00 | Nov 30th, 2021 | |
| Brad and Renee Hutchison | $100.00 | Dec 1st, 2021 | |
| Dallas Jenkins | $1,000.00 | Dec 1st, 2021 | Love you guys, keep up the great work! |
| Carl Waggoner | $250.00 | Dec 3rd, 2021 | Praying you go over the top!! |
| Lynne Benson | $1,250.00 | Dec 5th, 2021 | |
| Christy Crisologo | $1,000.00 | Dec 14th, 2021 | This is for the Waggoner's request to pay down the debt on the Life Center |
| Tim Hirons | $50.00 | Dec 17th, 2021 | |
| Private | $1,000.00 | Dec 18th, 2021 | So thankful to hear of the connections you have already made in the community. Our prayers are with you for God's continued blessings on your work in Albania. |
| Tracy Woods | $1,000.00 | Dec 20th, 2021 | So excited about this project!! Can’t wait to see how God works through it! |
| Brian Hurley | $250.00 | Dec 21st, 2021 | |
| Charlotte Caudill-Glockner | $500.00 | Dec 21st, 2021 | Blessings dear friends. So thankful to be able to give to this wonderful ministry! This gift is for Life Center in Albania matching grant. |
| Thad Gouge | $1,500.00 | Dec 30th, 2021 | Nathan and Cydil , we are delighted to see that the center has been fully funded. We’d love to contribute to the outfitting of it. It is a blessing and an honor to continue to walk alongside you in the exciting journey God has you on! |
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