It’s 4 a.m. on Friday, 12th September. I’ve just pulled up at Glasgow airport for a short flight to Stornoway to run a series of events up on the Isle of Lewis.

Lewis is a beautiful Island that forms part of the Western Isles of the Outer Hebrides. These are home to a thriving sports community; a neighbouring island, Eriskay, is recognised by FIFA as one of eight unique places to play football; Lewis also has a rich Christian history with a famous revival between 1949 and 1953 documented and even remembered by a few older islanders!

Exploring the rugged Isle of Lewis

Landing in Stornoway, I headed straight to share short gospel talks at three schools before joining a team running a youth sports tournament and another opportunity to share the good news of Jesus.

Graham Daniels arrived on a later flight and joined me in running ‘Clubhouse’, an evening focussed on training and encouraging amateur sportspeople in sharing their faith. It was especially heartening as adults from sports clubs across the island shared their passion to reach young sportspeople with us. We were thrilled to be able to share the good news of Jesus with around 600 people across events that Friday.

Moving on to the weekend, we kicked off with a men’s breakfast at the Failte Centre. In the evening, Stornoway Golf Club hosted The Sports Quiz, providing an opportunity for a packed room of people from sports clubs across Lewis to hear a short gospel talk. Graham spoke on Jesus' words in Matthew 7 on the broad and narrow road, along with an invitation to church the following day.

The Sports Quiz at Stornoway Golf Club

On Sunday, Graham preached at High Free Church and Stornoway Free church, while I spoke at a youth Bible class. In the evening, I had the privilege of speaking at the Big Youth Fellowship event, gathering young people from across the Western Isles, including many from Harris, about an hour’s journey away.

Throughout our time, we were so encouraged as we explored Lewis and met many people who love Christ and are in the world of sport, as well as those exploring the good news of Jesus. We aimed to show that the sportsperson who’s in Christ has a secure and guaranteed love and friendship that never ends and is at work to shape their life and witness, including sport. It’s been a massive privilege to work together with churches, schools and sports clubs on Lewis.

A highlight was meeting Agnes, now in her 90s, who became a Chrisitan at 15 during the 1949 revival. My hope as I boarded the plane home, was that God would continue to work in the hearts of young sportspeople, that they might be able to tell stories of his faithfulness in 75 years' time, just as Agnes had to me and Graham.

Meeting Agnes was a highlight of the trip

Over many years at Christians in Sport, we’ve sought to equip and encourage players, athletes and coaches at every level. In the coming months in Scotland we’re excited by more opportunities to reach amateur sportspeople, alongside looking to opportunities to walk alongside elite athletes at the upcoming 2026 Commonwealth games – some of whom we supported at the recent World Athletics Championships in Tokyo.

It’s always a privilege to be able to partner with churches, investing in leaders and encouraging Christian sportspeople to outwork worship and witness within their sports contexts. It is a joy to see the fruit of God at work through this to bring the gospel to sportspeople, from Western Isles to World Championships and beyond.

Josh Strike

Josh delivers our sport outreach projects in Scotland. He plays football in the winter and ultimate frisbee in the summer. He is a member of King's Church Edinburgh.